Committee advances bill to let Oklahoma insurance department review disputed claims tied to police reports

Oklahoma City — The House committee advanced House Bill 3303 on a motion from Representative Steagall to let insurers present evidence to the Oklahoma Insurance Department or an administrative hearing officer when a police report contains inaccurate information that affects claim defaults or payment of claims. Representative Steagall said the bill is meant to "ensure that those that are having to deal with this sort of issue don't have to fight the legal battle on their own."

Why it matters: Supporters said the measure would create an administrative path to resolve disputes over facts in police reports that insurers say reduce or deny payments, potentially speeding resolution without immediate resort to court. Opponents warned the change could shift disputes from insurers relying on reports to more jury trials under Oklahoma's contributory‑negligence regime.

Key debate: Representative Kennedy raised a concern that if the bill becomes law insurers might take more cases to trial because jury verdicts in contributory‑negligence cases can apportion fault differently than administrative findings. "So if you put this in law and then a jury comes back and says, no," Kennedy said, suggesting juries could reach results that differ from administrative determinations. Representative Steagall responded that the Oklahoma Insurance Department's current administrative processes and hearing officers would be the mechanism for addressing inaccuracies and helping consumers avoid protracted litigation.

Action: The committee moved the bill for passage; the motion passed and the bill was reported as passed by the committee. The committee record shows the bill was advanced following the discussion and a recorded vote was taken.