Survey of State Insurance Department COVID-19 Regulatory Actions
The state regulatory response to COVID-19 has been swift, with nearly every state making pronouncements that affect the insurance industry, specifically. As always, the Insurance Regulatory Practice Group at Mitchell Williams stands committed to providing current and relevant updates that affect…
Texas Supreme Court Holds Lack of Groundless-Claims Clause in Insurance Policy Does Not Impact the Applicability of the "Eight-Corners Rule"
On March 20, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court delivered its opinion in Richards v. State Farm Lloyds, addressing a question of Texas law certified from the Fifth Circuit. The certified question concerned Texas’ “eight-corners rule,” which provides that an insurer’s “duty to defend is determined by the…
NAIC Special Session on COVID-19
Today, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held a Special Session on COVID-19. A presentation on virus progression and pathology was made by Dr. Jay Butler, Deputy Director for Infectious Disease a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After Dr. Butler’s…
TDI Considers Possible Suspension of Texas Insurance Laws and Regulations for COVID-19 Response
March 18, 2020
by Burnie Burner
On Friday, March 13, 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a Proclamation declaring a state of disaster for the entire state of Texas as a result of the growing crisis related to COVID-19. As in past disaster declarations, the Proclamation is issued under the authority provided in Chapter 418 of…
Practical Suggestions for Insurers for Post COVID-19 Inquiries
March 18, 2020
by Burnie Burner
Almost every disaster with insurance implications is followed by some sort of regulatory or legislative inquiry. Usually it begins with a data call or a complaint inquiry and then often turns into market conduct examinations or enforcement actions. COVID-19 is likely to follow the same path once…