The bill amends Section 27-9-4 of the General Laws concerning "Casualty Insurance Rating" to introduce new provisions and clarify existing regulations regarding the establishment of insurance rates. Key insertions include a prohibition against considering losses or incidents involving bus drivers, law enforcement officers, and commercial vehicle drivers while they are in the course of their employment when determining rates for personal motor vehicles. Additionally, the bill mandates that widowed individuals be treated the same as married individuals in terms of insurance rates, and it protects seniors aged 65 and older from being penalized solely based on their age if they have not had chargeable accidents or moving violations in the past three years.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new provision that prohibits insurance companies from assessing any premium surcharge or penalty against an insured for inquiring about the terms of their policy. This aims to encourage transparency and ensure that policyholders can seek clarification without fear of financial repercussions. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5570: 27-9-4