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Witnesses tell committee Oregon insurers paid out far less in claims than national averages; advocates push application of consumer protection law
Summary
Researchers and former industry lawyers told a House committee Oregon insurers have low loss ratios and high profits, arguing the state should apply its Unlawful Trade Practices Act to insurance to increase accountability and consider remedies such as creating a first‑party bad faith cause of action.
At an informational meeting on Jan. 14, the House Interim Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection heard testimony from researchers and a former insurance defense attorney who described systemic practices that they say reduce claims payments and increase insurer profits in Oregon.
Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate with the Consumer Federation of America, presented industry data showing Oregon homeowners insurers paid about $0.62 in claims for every $1.00 of premium in 2022 compared with a national average of roughly $0.71. He said Oregon’s loss ratio fell to about $0.52 in…
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