Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-01

Probable Legislation Affecting In
Surance.

Probable Legislation Affecting In
surance.
"Iegisla ton affecting insurance that
is likely to be presented for the con-
sIderation Of the next Legislature in
crude law making it obligatory on
an agent not to pay brokerage on any
business written except TO duly Ii
censed agents residing in this state
and also making il obligatory on the
part Of the company TO pay commas
sions only to agents VINO counterslgn
policies. the proposers of this leglsla-
ZION believing that such action WILL
! tend 10 holQ out the local agent II
eliminating the duty Of the State brok-
en-" state Insurance Commissioner j.
Wallace Blunt Thursday IN an inter
view.
Continuing Mr.. Blunt said:
An attempt will be made to
strengthen our agents qualification
law TO make it conform to the model
law recommended by the insurance
commissioners convention.
'RcaEZing that il is almost lmpos-
sible To convict in arson cases owing
to tie severe penalty TOW imposed by
tho statute, a move will be made TO
secure a lesser penalty for arson so
10 make il incendiarisTn, lesser CRIME
with a suitable penalty for the same
1t is also proposed to secure, II pos
siblc a repeal OF Section 81 OF Chapter
40 of the Revised Statutes, this being
the so-called brokers law and in sub
stitution thereof to enact sub
agents law.
LEGISLATION will be introduced
which will permit domestic compa-
MES forced TO hquidate, to do 50 under
the direction Of the department.
An attempt will be made to bring
20 the individual sense OF ms re-
sponsibiFty in the fire waste OF our
state by legislation that viii permit
municipalities TO charge the expense
If the fire department III attendance at
fires to the property owner or occu-
pant. in case Of fire caused by negh-
z.coce. carelessness or design on the
mart of the owner Of the property or
occupant.
I'm this connection a law should also
be enacted that it will make 1t com
r,ls0ry on the part of the owner or
occupant to report any fire that ma!
occur on the premises to the munlcl-
pal officers:
"As one Of the first thoughts in all
matters is the protection OF life. Leg
;s1a+ion will be presented which VIII
strengthen the law relative TO exits
and FIRE escapes on public and other
buildings.
..It has also been suggested that no
counany should be allowed to pay a
loss until after so days from date OF
adjustment of such loss except, by
nerrissjon of the insurance commits
sioner. believing that many fires would
No avoided by such statute. as ii
would remove the temptation when
+he assured now has Of burning prop
ertv 70 secure a quick settlement Leg
islation making this possible VIII De
introduced
vi,, nrovide that when the insurance
commissioner becomes satisfied that an
agent has knowingly and wilfully over
insured property. his license to act as
agent may be revoked.
LEGISLATION looking to the prevention
Of discrimination in rates as well as a
review of the same will be proposed.
"It is believed that fire insurance
agents should be subject 10 the anti-re-
batting law as well as life, health and
accident agents are at present, therefore
LEGISLATION will be introduced which Will
make this possible.
Supervision of the acts OF special
agents and adjusters is of importance to
the people of our State, and legislation
will be presented which will have for its
object the licensing of such agents and
adiusters the same as insurance agents
are now licensed. the license to be re-
voked for just cause.
THE agent or company should be per-
mitted to cancel policy without tender
of return premium when the original
premium has not been paid, and legisla-
ton making this possible will be intro
duced.
The subject of allowing underwriters
agents the same latitude as parent COM
panies is a question which is also being
considered. No plan OF legislation has
thus far been prepared relative to the
same but may be presented during the
sessions