2026 -- S 2011 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE-CASUALTY INSURANCE GENERALLY -- LIMITATIONS

ON POLICY CANCELLATIONS AND RENEWALS

     Introduced By: Senators Gu, Britto, Gallo, Bell, DiMario, Burke, Sosnowski, Kallman,
Mack, and Bissaillon

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 27-8-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-8 entitled "Casualty

Insurance Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-8-11. Regulations on cancellation and renewal.

     (a) In addition to, and not in lieu of, any other power the commissioner has to issue rules

and regulations, the commissioner of insurance may promulgate, in accordance with the procedure

established in chapter 35 of title 42, reasonable rules and regulations concerning cancellation and

renewal of liability and property damage insurance for automobiles rated as private passenger

automobiles, homeowners insurance, residential fire insurance, or any components thereof. Those

regulations may require that the insurer shall furnish to the named insured the reason, or reasons,

for cancellation or nonrenewal. Those regulations shall also require that the insurer furnish, written

notice of nonrenewal at least sixty (60) days prior to renewal, and written notice of any coverage

reductions, elimination, or increased deductibles not made to the request of the insured at least

thirty (30) days prior to renewal, written notice of any coverage reductions, elimination, or

increased deductibles not made at the request of the insured. The notice shall itemize and describe

the policy coverage reductions, elimination, or increased deductibles and shall be captioned

“NOTICE OF REDUCTION IN COVERAGE”. The policyholder shall be notified that the policy

renewal contains the “NOTICE OF REDUCTION IN COVERAGE” by one of the following

manners:

     (1) By mailing the “NOTICE OF REDUCTION IN COVERAGE” separate from the

renewal policy package mailing; or

     (2) By printing “NOTICE OF REDUCTION IN COVERAGE ENCLOSED” on the

renewal policy package envelope and including said reductions in the first few pages of the renewal

policy package; or

     (3) By printing “NOTICE OF REDUCTION IN COVERAGE ENCLOSED” on the first

page of the renewal policy package; or

     (4) If the renewal policy package is made available by email, the email notifying the

policyholder of the renewal shall contain a statement that the policy contains a “NOTICE OF

REDUCTION IN COVERAGE” and said reductions shall be in the first few pages of the renewal

policy package.

     These coverage changes must be approved by the insurance division with respect to those

types of insurance defined in § 27-8-1(1) — (8), issued to non-business insureds and bodily injury

and property damage liability coverage issued to non-business insureds. There shall be no liability

on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, the commissioner of

insurance or any insurer, their authorized representatives, agents, or employees, or any firm, person,

or corporation furnishing to the insurer or commissioner information as to the reasons for

cancellation or nonrenewal; for any statement made by any of them in any written notice of

cancellation or nonrenewal; or in any other communication, oral or written, specifying the reasons

for cancellation or nonrenewal; or for the providing of information pertaining to the cancellation

or nonrenewal; or for statements made, or evidence submitted, at any hearing conducted in

connection with the cancellation or nonrenewal.

     (b) The commissioner shall promulgate regulations with respect to personal motor vehicle

insurance, homeowners insurance, and residential fire insurance, or any components of that

insurance requiring notification to policyholders upon renewal of any coverage reductions,

elimination, or increased deductibles not at the request of the insured.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE-CASUALTY INSURANCE GENERALLY -- LIMITATIONS

ON POLICY CANCELLATIONS AND RENEWALS

***

     This act would provide that an insurer furnish written notice of nonrenewal of automobile

or homeowner's insurance coverage at least sixty (60) days prior to nonrenewal, and written notice

of any coverage reductions, elimination, or increased deductibles for this insurance not made to the

request of the insured would be furnished at least thirty (30) days prior to renewal.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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