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Committee advances bill extending homeowner nonrenewal notice from 30 to 60 days
Summary
Senate Bill 35 was approved by the committee; the bill extends the required written notice for nonrenewal of property policies from 30 days to 60 days and sets an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 to allow insurers time to update systems.
Senate Bill 35 (LC461059SCS) was presented to the committee as a consumer-protection measure aimed at giving homeowners and policyholders more time to respond to nonrenewal notices in a ‘‘hard’’ property-insurance market. Presenter Mark Jabber said the bill ‘‘changes that notice requirement from 30 days to 60 days’’ and that many carriers and agents told him the extension was reasonable.
Committee members described an active nonrenewal environment, with rates rising and carriers shrinking exposure in parts of the property market. Representative Hawkins told the committee she recently received multiple nonrenewal notices for her home, dental office and cars and supported the additional time, noting mail delays can make a 30-day notice impractical.
The sponsor said the bill includes a delayed effective date—January 1, 2026—so carriers have time to implement system changes. Committee members asked about reasons for nonrenewals; the sponsor and agents cited claim frequency, roof condition, and other underwriting concerns. The sponsor noted enforcement authority for market conduct and noncompliance rests with the Georgia insurance commissioner’s office under existing law.
With no public witnesses appearing for or against the bill at the committee hearing, members voted to pass SB35 by voice vote and assigned Representative Gamble to carry the bill. The committee recorded the measure as passed for committee purposes; the bill will move on to further legislative stages.
