Insurance and Real Estate Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-844
AN ACT CONCERNING THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT'S
RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS AND
Title: SERVICES AND PROHIBITED INSURANCE PRACTICES.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/11/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Insurance and Real Estate Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The bill gives insurance companies and other persons or parties the ability to provide value-
added products and non-cash gifts beyond whats in the specified policy of insurance. The
second part of the bill aims to prevent insurance companies and other persons or parties
from offering insurance as a means to get the consumer to purchase other insurance policies
and to ban certain words from being used in advertisements. The goal is to have insurance
companies use these incentives in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner to the
consumers benefit. There is concern that these inducements could be used without the
consumers best interests in mind, to which this legislation directly addresses by placing
safeguards against such ill-treatment.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Andrew Mais, Commissioner, Connecticut Insurance Department: The bill will
provide an opportunity for consumers to have access to innovative products and services. It
will amend existing statues that currently prohibit insurance companies from providing
consideration or inducement not specified in the insurance policy. The Department will be
able to track and see the effects of any specific value-added products or services.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Debbie Osborn, Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians, Connecticut Ear Nose and
Throat Society, The Connecticut Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Society,
Connecticut Urology Society: SB 844 further shifts the balance of power in favor of
insurance companies. It should not be insurance companies deciding whether a value-added
product in healthcare enhances a consumers health but rather by doctors and other medical
professionals. They do not want undue influence or coercion by insurance companies who
value profitability over optimal care. Healthcare is not an industry that has easily identifiable
value-added features and should therefore not be lumped into the same category as other
commercial industries.
Reported by: Kyle Del Balso Date: April 5, 2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-844


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
INS Joint Favorable:
File No. 357:
JUD Joint Favorable: