HASTINGS LANDMARK INSURANCE REFORM PASSES SENATE

The following information was released by the Illinois Senate Democrats:

Capping off years of advocacy and negotiations, State Senator Michael E. Hastings carried legislation that would protect Illinois homeowners from unfair rate hikes similar to those endured in the last few years.

"On behalf of my neighbors back home, I have made it my mission to get them the answers they deserve on their insurance bill," said Hastings. "There is no world where insurance companies should get away with 20% or more rate hikes without having to explain where those numbers are coming from."

House Bill 4273 would prohibit a company selling homeowners insurance from increasing premiums by more than 10% without first notifying the consumer 60 days prior. This would give consumers the necessary time to shop around and find a better rate. Most importantly, the bill would prohibit homeowners insurance premiums from being excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The measure would be overseen by the Illinois Department of Insurance, with set rules for hearings on newly fled rates.

The legislation would also ban cost shifting, a practice where losses or high-claim payouts in other states are shifted unfairly onto Illinois homeowners.

Hastings heard from residents who were blindsided last year by a 27% rate increase. Homeowners were left scrambling deciding how they would take on such an increase.

"It cannot be too much to ask that consumers are given the opportunity to plan ahead when a rate hike is on the way," said Hastings. "This bill aligns Illinois with 48 other states, not by squeezing the insurance industry, but simply by giving the Department of Insurance the ability to analyze the numbers and deny rates that have no basis in reality."

House Bill 4273 passed the full Senate Wednesday.