093_SB0559

 
                                     LRB093 02174 JLS 10929 b

 1        AN ACT concerning insurance.

 2        Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:

 4        Section  5.  The  Illinois  Insurance  Code is amended by
 5    changing Section 143.17a as follows:

 6        (215 ILCS 5/143.17a) (from Ch. 73, par. 755.17a)
 7        Sec. 143.17a.  Notice of intention not to renew.
 8        a.  No  company  shall  fail  to  renew  any  policy   of
 9    insurance,  to which Section 143.11 applies, except for those
10    defined in subsections (a), (b),  (c),  and  (h)  of  Section
11    143.13,  unless it shall send by mail to the named insured at
12    least 60 days advance notice of its intention not  to  renew.
13    The company shall maintain proof of mailing of such notice on
14    one  of  the  following forms:  a recognized U.S. Post Office
15    form or a form acceptable to the U.S. Post  Office  or  other
16    commercial  mail  delivery  service.   An exact and unaltered
17    copy of such notice shall  also  be  sent  to  the  insured's
18    broker, if known, or the agent of record and to the mortgagee
19    or  lien  holder  at  the  last  mailing address known by the
20    company. However, where cancellation  is  for  nonpayment  of
21    premium,  the  notice of cancellation must be mailed at least
22    10 days before the effective date of the cancellation.
23        b.  This Section  does  not  apply  if  the  company  has
24    manifested  its  willingness  to  renew directly to the named
25    insured. Provided, however, that no company may increase  the
26    renewal  premium  on any policy of insurance to which Section
27    143.11 applies, except for those defined in subsections  (a),
28    (b),  (c),  and  (h)  of  Section 143.13, by 30% or more, nor
29    impose changes in deductibles  or  coverage  that  materially
30    alter  the  policy,   unless the company shall have mailed or
31    delivered  to  the  named  insured  written  notice  of  such
 
                            -2-      LRB093 02174 JLS 10929 b
 1    increase or change in deductible or coverage at least 60 days
 2    prior to the renewal or anniversary  date.  The  increase  in
 3    premium  shall  be  the  renewal  premium  based on the known
 4    exposure as of the date of  the  quotation  compared  to  the
 5    premium as of the last day of coverage for the current year's
 6    policy, annualized.  The premium on the renewal policy may be
 7    subsequently  amended  to  reflect any change in exposure not
 8    considered in the quotation.  An exact and unaltered copy  of
 9    such  notice  shall  also be sent to the insured's broker, if
10    known, or the agent of record.  The  company  shall  maintain
11    proof  of  mailing or proof of receipt whichever is required.
12    If the company notifies the insured of a renewal increase  of
13    30%  or more, the company shall extend the policy to allow 60
14    days notice of renewal including the exact premiums.
15        c.  Should a company  fail  to  comply  with  the  notice
16    requirements of this Section, the policy shall terminate only
17    as provided in this subsection. In the event of a nonrenewal,
18    if  a  notice of nonrenewal is not provided at least 31 days,
19    but less than 60 days prior to expiration of the policy,  the
20    policy  shall  be extended for an additional year a period of
21    60 days or until the effective date of any similar  insurance
22    procured by the insured, whichever is less, on the same terms
23    and conditions as the policy sought to be terminated.  In the
24    event  notice  is  provided  less  than  31 days prior to the
25    expiration of the policy, the policy shall be extended for  a
26    period of one year or until the effective date of any similar
27    insurance  procured by the insured, whichever is less, on the
28    same  terms  and  conditions  as  the  policy  sought  to  be
29    terminated unless the insurer has manifested its  willingness
30    to  renew  at  a  premium  which  represents  an increase not
31    exceeding 30%. The premium for coverage shall be prorated  in
32    accordance  with  the  amount of the last year's premium, and
33    the company  shall  be  entitled  to  this  premium  for  the
34    extension  of  coverage  and such extension may be contingent
 
                            -3-      LRB093 02174 JLS 10929 b
 1    upon the payment of such premium.
 2        d.  Renewal of a policy does not constitute a  waiver  or
 3    estoppel  with  respect  to  grounds  for  cancellation which
 4    existed before the effective date of such renewal.
 5        e.  In all notices of intention not to renew  any  policy
 6    of  insurance, as defined in Section 143.11 the company shall
 7    provide a specific explanation of the reasons for nonrenewal.
 8    (Source: P.A. 89-669, eff. 1-1-97.)

 9        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
10    becoming law.