Bill > HB831

This bill prohibits certain pricing practices in property damage claims, specifically for property and casualty insurance policies excluding auto and health. It makes it an offense for anyone to knowingly charge two different prices for similar work on a property damage claim if the higher price is primarily because an insurer will pay for it, classifying such actions as fraudulent insurance acts with penalties including license suspension or revocation. However, this prohibition does not apply to pre-negotiated pricing through written contracts like preferred vendor programs or to price adjustments based on verifiable differences in work scope or materials. The bill also targets insurers, deeming it an unfair business practice if they consistently and inconsistently deviate from pricing tools or databases when adjusting property damage claims without proper justification, with violations subject to penalties like cease and desist orders and monetary fines. Importantly, neither provision creates a private right for individuals to sue. Licensed contractors are also explicitly prohibited from engaging in these prohibited pricing practices, and violations can lead to disciplinary actions by the State Licensing Board for Contractors.