The Florida Senate

627.70131  Insurer's duty to acknowledge communications regarding claims; investigation.--

(1)(a)  Upon an insurer's receiving a communication with respect to a claim, the insurer shall, within 14 calendar days, review and acknowledge receipt of such communication unless payment is made within that period of time or unless the failure to acknowledge is caused by factors beyond the control of the insurer which reasonably prevent such acknowledgment. If the acknowledgment is not in writing, a notification indicating acknowledgment shall be made in the insurer's claim file and dated. A communication made to or by an agent of an insurer with respect to a claim shall constitute communication to or by the insurer.

(b)  As used in this subsection, the term "agent" means any person to whom an insurer has granted authority or responsibility to receive or make such communications with respect to claims on behalf of the insurer.

(c)  This subsection shall not apply to claimants represented by counsel beyond those communications necessary to provide forms and instructions.

(2)  Such acknowledgment shall be responsive to the communication. If the communication constitutes a notification of a claim, unless the acknowledgment reasonably advises the claimant that the claim appears not to be covered by the insurer, the acknowledgment shall provide necessary claim forms, and instructions, including an appropriate telephone number.

(3)  Unless otherwise provided by the policy of insurance or by law, within 10 working days after an insurer receives proof of loss statements, the insurer shall begin such investigation as is reasonably necessary unless the failure to begin such investigation is caused by factors beyond the control of the insurer which reasonably prevent the commencement of such investigation.

(4)  For purposes of this section, the term "insurer" means any residential property insurer.

(5)(a)  Within 90 days after an insurer receives notice of a property insurance claim from a policyholder, the insurer shall pay or deny such claim or a portion of the claim unless the failure to pay such claim or a portion of the claim is caused by factors beyond the control of the insurer which reasonably prevent such payment. Any payment of a claim or portion of a claim paid 90 days after the insurer receives notice of the claim, or paid more than 15 days after there are no longer factors beyond the control of the insurer which reasonably prevented such payment, whichever is later, shall bear interest at the rate set forth in s. 55.03 Interest begins to accrue from the date the insurer receives notice of the claim. The provisions of this subsection may not be waived, voided, or nullified by the terms of the insurance policy. If there is a right to prejudgment interest, the insured shall select whether to receive prejudgment interest or interest under this subsection. Interest is payable when the claim or portion of the claim is paid. Failure to comply with this subsection constitutes a violation of this code. However, failure to comply with this subsection shall not form the sole basis for a private cause of action.

(b)  Notwithstanding subsection (4), for purposes of this subsection, the term "claim" means any of the following:

1.  A claim under an insurance policy providing residential coverage as defined in s. 627.4025(1);

2.  A claim for structural or contents coverage under a commercial property insurance policy if the insured structure is 10,000 square feet or less; or

3.  A claim for contents coverage under a commercial tenants policy if the insured premises is 10,000 square feet or less.

(c)  This subsection shall not apply to claims under an insurance policy covering nonresidential commercial structures or contents in more than one state.

History.--s. 23, ch. 2005-111; s. 27, ch. 2007-1; s. 18, ch. 2007-90.

Note.--Former s. 627.4261.