[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6479982,"mediaKeyId","5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea","parentId",5691974,"title","Lawyers’ group presents data analysis saying litigation not primary driver of premiums; insurers booked record profits in 2023–24","audioSeconds",1558,"startMs",4954000,"endMs",6512000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea&start=4954&end=6512","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea/thumbnail_4954000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479982/Georgia/Lawyers-group-presents-data-analysis-saying-litigation-not-primary-driver-of-premiums-insurers-booked-record-profits-in-202324","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479982-73ee77d3a5bf69387f75fa18415d8af7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769718726&Signature=VeLIenx1DHkLMLXC0eqbrzdzqEy0ymLrDme7tesDfhvKY3CrD7MXqy~lvqVrd0CXWl3QkDi6nrb2WQ7RKYAvQbQsBcvo1RYVY4ina3gpT3F4axmYVoWem8LKJ5YBxr6yY6R0HyDW56Ped11z4l4X0MKKUSgmDrB0gk6lWECHFwLm1jwPOcLcx4HRe3ulKOmGsO3qr6UDu4emN3-Bla~fOvstUbstKtGwETy2B6tph~OrYSkcrILrpxJsG3GC30QexJaaUFjJzYTkGTBDuvnCmhRgKIJZzfumcp3lYh6h5KmCPem-w-7wbTX0VR1JffVYGA0pTInMIgcOa~VAHBRuCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","17222","date","2025-08-29T05:57:08Z","article","Jason Branch, an attorney and immediate past president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, briefed the committee on data his group commissioned and analyzed in response to the state’s 2023 data call about tort reform and insurance premiums.

Branch said GTLA retained forensic insurance expert David Stegall and Northwestern’s Professor Bernard Black to analyze NAIC and other data. Their findings, presented to the committee, included: when adjusted for population and inflation the number of liability claims is stable and total payouts have declined since a high in the middle of the last decade; Georgia’s private-passenger-auto payouts and claim counts do not by themselves explain premium levels; and average underwriting profitability for insurers in Georgia is comparatively favorable while average premiums remain high.

Why it matters: GTLA’s analysis challenges a simple causal narrative that an increase in litigation is the principal driver of rising premiums. The group told the committee that premiums did not track with payouts after adjusting for inflation and population and that insurers posted record profits in 2023 and again in 2024.

Branch cited public industry data showing the property-and-casualty sector recorded extraordinary net income in 2024 (industry reporting cited $169 billion nationally), and argued the committee should examine insurer profitability, market concentration and claim-payment patterns rather than focus on litigation alone.

Ending: Committee members welcomed the data and the analysts’ reports and asked the group to provide source files and methodology for the committee’s review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Blue-Ribbon Committee on Insurance Rates 08.28.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA) and outside experts presented data to the study committee indicating claim counts and payouts have not risen on a per-capita, inflation-adjusted basis while insurers’ underwriting and overall profits grew sharply in 2023–24.","taxTitle","Insurance, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17222,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479987,"Consumers and public adjusters tell Georgia committee of denied claims, appraisal and statute-of-limitations hurdles after storms",3341,7429000,10770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea&start=7429&end=10770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea/thumbnail_7429000.jpg","/articles/6479987/Georgia/Consumers-and-public-adjusters-tell-Georgia-committee-of-denied-claims-appraisal-and-statute-of-limitations-hurdles-after-storms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479987-dd75ed174f43b8e07efa724f1dae99dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1769718726&Signature=jjIgTMtCmR4-VJH24PIukMx22l75WqRRactzS~JrpFMP8j0G0dq-vxqTioIAUCVpyE00WmAfyb1-lNyAHQI-nMnerHs4cuxzXJXn3kO3bwoDq96nfTU517AVDivroJCv5sdfmfbgDmI-vSzh06RmvrMceZsPI~Ctfd5XhC0LPTjxLhTHC3tbxyGCpUkIehgfr8uC7zBQT1fybu4sZU9PpethSjqQ58DhFIufQ3JvR2zR1cKTUaVrH1aLpfU4fsm4GvN6ci3DnqQfWOpaamkGj~b0aW6RkJjrCsjWeoTdScJtXcfoORuTyPFTYrhGbpa4kmgNteO2W8nlVjkFNjkEUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several witnesses at the Aug. 15 Insurance Rate Study Committee hearing described difficulties consumers face when filing homeowner and storm-related claims, and urged statutory and administrative changes.

Wendell Couch, who described losses at a rental property in Florida after storms, said he faced a prolonged fight with an insurer and that adjusters and company practices made recovery difficult. Omar Hall, a public adjuster, said public adjusters frequently see policies not honored as written and that appraisal clauses agreed in policies are sometimes ignored by carriers — forcing homeowners into litigation as the only recourse.

Attorney Remington Huggins, who represents property claimants, urged the committee to standardize statute-of-limitations periods for property claims across Georgia (several neighboring states use three- or five-year statutory periods) because short policy deadlines can force homeowners to file suit before an insurer completes a technical investigation of complex storm damage. Huggins also recommended that when insurers reduce coverage at renewal — for example converting replacement-cost coverage to actual-cash-value — the insurer must notify the policyholder, explain the change and obtain signed acknowledgment.

Why it matters: Witnesses said routine industry practices can prevent claimants from receiving full, timely reimbursement and create consumer distrust that can depress claim reporting and complicate market transparency. The committee was told that some insurers use remote sensing (satellite imagery or drones) to assess roofs and other vulnerabilities; witnesses and regulators discussed bulletin- or code-level guidance to ensure accuracy and due process for policyholders.

Ending: Committee members asked the Department of Insurance for copies of relevant consumer-service bulletins and for further study of statutory options (statute of limitations; appraisal clause enforcement; consumer notice on coverage changes).","Multiple witnesses described denied or undervalued homeowner claims, problems with nonrenewals and use of satellites/drones for underwriting; attorneys urged statute-of-limitations uniformity and clearer policy disclosures on reduced coverage.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479992,"Foster-care provider warns insurance costs threaten Georgia child-placement services",222,10054000,10276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea&start=10054&end=10276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea/thumbnail_10054000.jpg","/articles/6479992/Georgia/Foster-care-provider-warns-insurance-costs-threaten-Georgia-child-placement-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479992-a46e057c2e7a7bd59f89cdecca08597b/orig.mp4?Expires=1769718726&Signature=UZw0dOU3CXhKlfTMRLpzMugUlUjIuef2iM5KmGW--IT6R80YGuhjvg4z9g-8NvectQ1KwcnG2F68N-wKq1C4YqdjdQvUpRUEnYXZiPRr2tWS~iisaltF6rBy-bZe24bQPr1HlOt22VVYw-mTyCScpQUIoJlG3Snc4jP9Y3b0qCX~Wmx16~q5Zfi77zjEZXl1AEYPbqtn8ohgSC0808ElXyV-V-nXqnUsAIYLyVHE5DX~qwIfUsqBun45vlagIF6BaSN0hBSrQ3N1c1dxZu8wDujD~z39hrxulL9OG~sHPmkDIIZRHrokNReOz9w6XOGq42mM9y5pSqHEup42HH0k-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bob Rudermatz, president and CEO of Faithbridge, a licensed child-placing agency, told the Insurance Rate Study Committee on Aug. 15 that a national insurance market shift has sharply increased premiums and deductibles for organizations that license and support foster families.

Rudermatz said insurers that once wrote required liability, auto and malpractice coverage for Georgia agencies have scaled back or left the market. He told the panel that Faithbridge — which reported serving more than 6,000 unique children since 2007 and no state-required insurance claims in 18 years — has seen premiums increase 1,200% over five years and a single December renewal increase of $250,000.

Why it matters: Many child-placement agencies and child-caring institutions (CPAs and CCIs) are required by DFCS contract and state regulation to carry specific insurance. Rudermatz said that soaring costs threaten the ability of CPAs/CCIs to operate, potentially reducing placement capacity for children in state custody.

Rudermatz described a statewide survey showing more than 90% of surveyed providers reported large renewal increases (many 50–250%). He asked lawmakers to consider targeted remedies to preserve licensed capacity for vulnerable children, and to work with state regulators and carriers to identify solutions. He and committee members referred to federal changes that extended the statute of limitations for certain child-abuse claims as an exacerbating national factor.

Ending: Committee members thanked Rudermatz and asked the department and interested stakeholders to follow up with data and proposed remedies to sustain licensed placement capacity.","Faithbridge CEO Bob Rudermatz told the committee that commercial insurance costs for licensed child-placing agencies have risen dramatically and that many insurers have exited or stopped quoting products needed by providers, threatening capacity to care for foster children.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479997,"New law will let Georgia state employees make pretax payroll contributions to health savings accounts, officials say",508,4792000,5300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea&start=4792&end=5300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea/thumbnail_4792000.jpg","/articles/6479997/Georgia/New-law-will-let-Georgia-state-employees-make-pretax-payroll-contributions-to-health-savings-accounts-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479997-a71a1dea71329c9cafb2a0ce7a381346/orig.mp4?Expires=1769718726&Signature=g8Od0YNphcIQvIFcz8nfdpfSFHt3rVAgLda2zp49lDT7Ql3MNEwHpxne~PBqz-2-uL46y4pcemk4TKLTDxG0-idzFLlejYA6LXbkUxND8cwCkzGy8o0vVXYP7M~hSdj8APiSG4WKkj~UBPJfXU9zZkIDAUZEIayxyw6~Zer-cUT6lIQ-VIGxtliE-~x46vm3jbMBKgzNalE1V0D0830EmbX1ZlINt5~-xnP1ExLa74DdKj~99ZQsNCyeE-KKleu31-eWI2YG83HVtDImF3UaYz9JqrJbRXOsDrwFEzHtRk4tNzrFlvG~E6Qj7AuJN894ClXkm0rMCBnleaNV6kT5aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State officials told the House Insurance Rate Study Committee on Aug. 15 that a law enacted this year (HB422) will permit Georgia state employees enrolled in a high-deductible health plan to make pretax payroll contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Donald Cronin, HR director for the Capitol, said HB422 equalizes payroll-treatment for HSAs and is expected to lower annual costs for employees who choose a qualifying high-deductible plan. Cronin gave an example showing a family switching from a traditional plan to a high-deductible plan with payroll contributions could save roughly $4,100 a year in premiums and avoid payroll taxes on pretax contributions.

Why it matters: The change shifts some health-cost choices toward a tax-advantaged savings-and-investment vehicle. Cronin said the state and employees both avoid payroll taxes when contributions are taken pretax through payroll, creating direct savings for state finances as well as the participating employees.

Cronin said the law was signed into law May 14, 2025, and becomes effective no later than Jan. 1, 2026; state agencies and payroll systems will need implementation time. He noted the policy is not suitable for every employee and that lower-income workers will see smaller gains, but the measure is expected to provide net savings for many state employees and reduce employer-side payroll tax costs.

Ending: Committee members thanked the witnesses and noted the law could be a model for local governments and school systems that already participate in different payroll-tax regimes.","HR director Donald Cronin and lawmaker Derek McCollum told the committee the law (HB422) allows pretax payroll contributions to HSAs for employees in high-deductible plans, yielding tax savings for employees and payroll-tax savings for the state when implemented.",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480002,"Georgia insurance commissioner outlines enforcement, fraud and market stability goals at rate study hearing",4045,630000,4675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea&start=630&end=4675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5691974-b4c89ebc2353ad9504845b29b27997ea/thumbnail_630000.jpg","/articles/6480002/Georgia/Georgia-insurance-commissioner-outlines-enforcement-fraud-and-market-stability-goals-at-rate-study-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480002-395ddd7136d83cb13e5017f698a311c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1769718726&Signature=MJkU49BQ3zrHiNYxLPe4IkVX83bw29dzm6-nUwmSia0~2rBx9YSCA~ab35qiEQ3HHpHEMVlTfprVlR02LE6czbBoO~ZxR25E~s214-5QjfFhPXH-lO73gFBnqX5WyZ7IXK2UzPcbV7-zwTgKcGDr1Ij~VId~rzNWjnywiCRIl87InBrxb6GY-2BOmPrmuznBajiZ1dzMY3zJuqBmGI8hqx9JKIFa9E8NKkeDfye05SaBIOVFeZsBNbVfEV3ADCENLjIQWGnxe0vcJYD5Ro4vWN93VQxAIJgezkX1c~Tzv7Gt6mq7MdyWe4piI1a9WcBL3Wu3Q76oqJfspKL3SUMY7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King told the House Insurance Rate Study Committee on Aug. 15 that his office is focused on consumer protection and market stability while urging lawmakers to consider expanding enforcement penalties.

King, who said his “number one job is to ensure that we have access to quality coverage at an affordable price,” reviewed recent enforcement actions and consumer-service workload, discussed fraud and the limits of the department’s civil penalties, and outlined factors driving premium increases across the state.

Why it matters: The committee is charged with examining how rates are set and what actions state government can take to lower premiums or make the market more stable. King’s testimony framed enforcement, fraud prosecution and how statutory authority and market conditions intersect — areas lawmakers can change through code revisions, budget decisions or new statutes.

King told the committee his office handled more than 11,000 consumer complaints a year and has returned more than $100 million to Georgians since he took office; he also said the department recently announced more than $20 million in fines for mental-health-parity violations. King and his staff urged the committee to consider giving the department greater penalty authority, noting that current statutory maximums for civil fines for violations are low (commonly $2,000 for nonwillful and $5,000 for willful violations), which he said limits the department’s deterrent effect.

King described insurance fraud as a major cost driver for Georgia consumers and said the state ranks second in the nation for fraud activity. “Every consumer is affected by this level of fraud, between $4 to $700 of additional cost to the consumers as a result,” King said. He said his office has expanded its investigators and market-conduct work but needs stronger prosecution support from district attorneys because many of the fraud schemes are complex and resource-intensive to pursue.

Committee members pressed the commissioner on several questions: how to ensure penalties do not simply get passed to consumers through higher premiums; how to encourage carriers to re-enter or expand in Georgia; whether insurers are using investment income to justify maintaining or raising premiums; and whether recent tort-reform laws will prompt companies to cut rates.

Steve Manders, the commissioner’s deputy, provided market data the department will use to track changes. He said Hurricane Helene has been Georgia’s largest single-loss event, and that insurers have paid roughly $2.86 billion on about 165,000 claims so far (department figures cited to committee). Manders also said roughly 1,100 companies are actively writing some product in Georgia and that about 400 write personal-lines business. He noted that the department receives roughly 3,000 rate filings and 3,500 form filings a year and that reviews require actuarial capacity the department is actively recruiting.

King and his team described how rate filings are reviewed: insurers submit actuarial filings that the department and outside actuaries examine; filings may be negotiated and in many cases are modified downward in that process. Manders said about 40% of filings have negotiated reductions and that the department often requests additional information. He also noted that Georgia’s statute requires rates to be adequate, not excessive and not unfairly discriminatory — and that regulators have limited tools if the market is demonstrably competitive.

On tort reform, King said legislative changes earlier this year gave regulators new tools and that Florida’s 2023 reforms have produced measurable market responses there, but he told the committee that the department must “run the numbers” before it can conclude how much Georgia consumers will save. Committee members were told to expect multiyear lag before industry responses and rate effects are fully visible.

Ending: The committee scheduled four additional hearings across the state and invited materials and witnesses who can provide evidence-based proposals. King and his staff offered to provide legal and technical recommendations to legislators on potential statutory updates in areas such as fines, market conduct procedures, and consumer protections.","Insurance Commissioner John King told the House Insurance Rate Study Committee that the department is using new authorities and enforcement to protect consumers, pressing for stronger penalties, and working to curb widespread insurance fraud while noting multiple market pressures on premiums.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawyers’ group presents data analysis saying litigation not primary driver of premiums; insurers booked record profits in 2023–24

Consumers and public adjusters tell Georgia committee of denied claims, appraisal and statute-of-limitations hurdles after storms

Foster-care provider warns insurance costs threaten Georgia child-placement services

New law will let Georgia state employees make pretax payroll contributions to health savings accounts, officials say

Georgia insurance commissioner outlines enforcement, fraud and market stability goals at rate study hearing