The Consumer Federation of America submitted written testimony to the Oregon House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, urging them to support HB 4098. This bill would add harmful insurance actions to the list of actions that are subject to Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA).

Currently Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act generally exempts the insurance industry from its broad consumer protections, reducing accountability and making it more difficult for consumers to get fair treatment regarding claims payments. Protecting insurance companies from accountability does not benefit the insurance market or the general public.

HB 4098 adds bad acts done with respect to insurance to the list of bad acts that are subject to the Unlawful Trade Practices Act. It also specifically states that if insurers break the law by committing certain practices, that lawbreaking is subject to enforcement actions under the UTPA. In addition to monetary damages under the UTPA, consumers can also go to court and get appropriate equitable relief from there.