GA Speaker Jon Burns applauds passage of Insurance Affordability Reform

ATLANTA – Today, House Speaker (R-Newington) applauded the final passage of a priority for the 2026 Legislative Session, House Bill 1344, the Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act. HB 1344 was drafted based on the findings and recommendations of the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates appointed by Speaker Jon Burns and chaired by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth).

“Georgia’s families, homeowners, drivers and businesses depend on their insurers to help them face life’s most difficult moments with confidence and security,” said House Speaker Jon Burns. “The passage of the Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act is a direct reflection of the Georgia House’s unwavering commitment to making life more affordable and insurance more accessible for the citizens of our great state.”

HB 1344 aims to address insurance costs by:

●       Increasing around 40 fines on insurance companies when laws or insurance policy provisions are violated during the insurance claim process

●       Enforcing uninsured motorist laws

●       Cracking down on insurance fraud

●       Improving storm claim processing

●       Enhancing the Fortified Homes program to help Georgians protect their homes from storm damage

●       Requiring local governments to report how their premium tax revenue is used to lower citizens’ insurance premiums

●       Limiting premium tax refund requests to three years

●       Restricting how insurance companies can use aerial imaging

●       Ensuring that at least two years are allowed to make property and casualty claims

●       Enacting provisions concerning short-term rental insurance policies

“The Insurance Affordability Act will make insurance more affordable for every hardworking Georgian across the state by making claims processing faster, fairer and more transparent. Georgia is leading the nation in addressing insurance affordability, and we look forward to delivering this critical relief when it’s needed most,” said Rep. Matt Reeves.

The full text of HB 1344 can be found at the following link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73286