TITLE 33 INSURANCE

Section 6. Unfair Trade Practices, 33-6-1 through 33-6-37.

ARTICLE 2 UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES

33-6-34. Unfair claims settlement practices.

Any of the following acts of an insurer when committed as provided in Code Section 33-6-33 shall constitute an unfair claims settlement practice:

1. Knowingly misrepresenting to claimants and insureds relevant facts or policy provisions relating to coverages at issue;
2. Failing to acknowledge with reasonable promptness pertinent communications with respect to claims arising under its policies;
3. Failing to adopt and implement procedures for the prompt investigation and settlement of claims arising under its policies;
4. Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of claims submitted in which liability has become reasonably clear;
5. Compelling insureds or beneficiaries to institute suits to recover amounts due under its policies by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in suits brought by them;
6. Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation;
7. When requested by the insured in writing, failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after having completed its investigation related to such claim or claims;
8. When requested by the insured in writing, making claims payments to an insured or beneficiary without indicating the coverage under which each payment is being made;
9. Unreasonably delaying the investigation or payment of claims by requiring both a formal proof of loss and subsequent verification that would result in duplication of information and verification appearing in the formal proof of loss form; provided, however, this paragraph shall not preclude an insurer from obtaining sworn statements if permitted under the policy;
10. When requested by the insured in writing, failing in the case of claims denial or offers of compromise settlement to provide promptly a reasonable and accurate explanation of the basis for such actions.In the case of claims denials, such denials shall be in writing;
11. Failing to provide forms necessary to file claims within 15 calendar days of a request with reasonable explanations regarding their use;
12. Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards to assure that the repairs of a repairer owned by the insurer are performed in a workmanlike manner;
13. Indicating to a first-party claimant on a payment, draft check, or accompanying letter that said payment is final or a release of any claim unless the policy limit has been paid or there has been a compromise settlement agreed to by the first-party claimant and the insurer as to coverage and amount payable under the contract; and
14. Issuing checks or drafts in partial settlement of a loss or claim under a specific coverage which contain language which releases the insurer or its insured from its total liability.

(Code 1981, §33-6-34, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 3048, § 9.)