In testimony today before the House Economic Matters Committee, AIA supported House Bill 1223, which would allow undisputed claims to be handled by claims offices located outside of Maryland. This bill makes sense for both policyholders and insurers from a practical claims handling perspective, said John A. Andryszak, AIA assistant vice president, mid-Atlantic region.
Most insurance companies handle claims on a regional basis.
The fact is that insurers have claims adjusters who are well-trained in Maryland law regardless of where their physical offices happen to be. It is important to note that under this legislation only undisputed claims would be allowed to be handled by offices outside of Maryland. It also is important to note that under HB 1223, the Maryland Insurance Administration maintains complete regulatory authority over all insurers doing business in the state no matter where their offices are located. Let s face it, most negotiations and activity on claims takes place over the telephone. Maryland requires that insurers have toll-free 800 numbers, which means that claims communications are conducted at no cost to the policyholder, Andryszak said.