THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY HANNA, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BRENNAN, FAIRCHILD, GRUCELA, HARKINS, KULA, MAHONEY, MIRABITO, MOUL, MUNDY, MURT, PASHINSKI, PETRARCA, ROCK, SEIP, K. SMITH, STABACK, J. TAYLOR AND WHITE, APRIL 22, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE, APRIL 22, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending the act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), entitled

"An act relating to unfair insurance practices; prohibiting

unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts

and practices; and prescribing remedies and penalties,"

further defining "unfair or deceptive acts or practices."

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 5(a) of the act of July 22, 1974

(P.L.589, No.205), known as the Unfair Insurance Practices Act,

is amended by adding a paragraph to read:

Section 5.  Unfair Methods of Competition and Unfair or

Deceptive Acts or Practices Defined.--(a)  "Unfair methods of

competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" in the

business of insurance means:

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(15)  Knowingly denying coverage for a claim or increasing

the premium for homeowner's insurance for the sole reason that

the insured has previously filed claims with the insurer for

loss that occurred through no fault of the insured.

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.