The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Division of Financial Regulation published two Bulletins on their expectations of insurers and insurance producers writing homeowners policies. The Department expects insurers and insurance producers to provide clear and honest communication to policyholders on insurance decisions, and to provide timely information.
The Department has received consumer complaints that some insurance producers have been providing policyholders with misleading information. This includes telling consumers that insurers are not writing new policies or not evaluating neighborhoods or individual homes in a specific ZIP code or city, when the insurer has made no such claim.
Making untrue, deceptive, or misleading statements is expressly prohibited in the Oregon Insurance Code. If producers are unsure about a carrier's rating or underwriting decisions, they should confirm with the carrier. Carriers have been directed to provide timely and accurate information to producers.
The Department stresses the importance of providing accurate information to consumers. The reasoning behind all rating or underwriting decisions should be accurately communicated. Insurers and insurance producers should work together to be able to accurately and promptly provide consumers with necessary information.
The Bulletins can be found here:
DFR 2024-5 Expectations of Insurance Producers
DFR 2024-6 Expectations of Insurers