By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a measure that would prohibit homeowner insurance companies from including in a policy a provision requiring an insured homeowner to complete a repair prior to the release of funds estimated by the insurer for the cost of repair.
Supporters said that this is a pro-consumer bill that will help homeowners because many insurance companies pay the claim in stages, not all at once. They noted that some homeowners are required to pay the repair company faster than the insurance company pays the homeowner and cannot afford to pay the repair company out of their own pocket and then wait for the insurance company to reimburse them.
Rep. Jim Murphy (D-Weymouth), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the bill and its passage.