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Senate passes bill letting consumers sue insurers under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act
Summary
After lengthy floor debate, the Oregon State Senate narrowly approved Senate Bill 174A to allow consumers to bring claims against insurance companies under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA). Supporters said it closes a gap for wildfire and other claimants; opponents warned it could raise insurance costs and destabilize markets.
The Oregon State Senate on June 19 passed Senate Bill 174A, a measure that removes the insurance industry's exemption from Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act and allows consumers to sue insurers for unfair or deceptive settlement practices.
Supporters said the change gives Oregonians a private remedy when insurers delay, lowball or improperly deny claims, especially after catastrophic loss. "When you lose your home, when you lose all of the wealth that you have worked so hard to provide for your family, and at the lowest moment ... you call the insurance company and make a claim and nobody's there," Senator Przonski said on the floor, arguing the bill will hold bad actors accountable.
The bill's sponsors framed the measure as a consumer-protection fix. They pointed to hundreds of complaints to…
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