A. Within sixty (60) days after receipt by a property and casualty insurer of properly executed proofs of loss, the first party claimant shall be advised of the acceptance or denial of the claim by the insurer, or if further investigation is necessary. No property and casualty insurer shall deny a claim because of a specific policy provision, condition, or exclusion unless reference to such provision, condition, or exclusion is included in the denial. A denial shall be given to any claimant in writing, and the claim file of the property and casualty insurer shall contain a copy of the denial. If there is a reasonable basis supported by specific information available for review by the Commissioner that the first party claimant has fraudulently caused or contributed to the loss, a property and casualty insurer shall be relieved from the requirements of this subsection. In the event of a weather-related catastrophe or a major natural disaster, as declared by the Governor, the Insurance Commissioner may extend the deadline imposed under this subsection an additional twenty (20) days.

B. If a claim is denied for reasons other than those described in subsection A of this section, and is made by any other means than writing, an appropriate notation shall be made in the claim file of the property and casualty insurer until such time as a written confirmation can be made.

C. Every property and casualty insurer shall complete investigation of a claim within sixty (60) days after notification of proof of loss unless such investigation cannot reasonably be completed within such time. If such investigation cannot be completed, or if a property and casualty insurer needs more time to determine whether a claim should be accepted or denied, it shall so notify the claimant within sixty (60) days after receipt of the proofs of loss, giving reasons why more time is needed. If the investigation remains incomplete, a property and casualty insurer shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the initial notification, send to such claimant a letter setting forth the reasons additional time is needed for investigation. Except for an investigation of possible fraud or arson which is supported by specific information giving a reasonable basis for the investigation, the time for investigation shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of proof of loss. Provided, in the event of a weather-related catastrophe or a major natural disaster, as declared by the Governor, the Insurance Commissioner may extend this deadline for investigation an additional twenty (20) days.

D. Insurers shall not fail to settle first party claims on the basis that responsibility for payment should be assumed by others except as may otherwise be provided by policy provisions.

E. Insurers shall not continue or delay negotiations for settlement of a claim directly with a claimant who is neither an attorney nor represented by an attorney, for a length of time which causes the claimant's rights to be affected by a statute of limitations, or a policy or contract time limit, without giving the claimant written notice that the time limit is expiring and may affect the claimant's rights. Such notice shall be given to first party claimants thirty (30) days, and to third party claimants sixty (60) days, before the date on which such time limit may expire.

F. No insurer shall make statements which indicate that the rights of a third party claimant may be impaired if a form or release is not completed within a given period of time unless the statement is given for the purpose of notifying a third party claimant of the provision of a statute of limitations.

G. If a lawsuit on the claim is initiated, the time limits provided for in this section shall not apply.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 251, § 18, eff. Nov. 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 1987, c. 175, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Laws 1993, c. 248, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 342, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1994. Renumbered from § 1256 of this title by Laws 1994, c. 342, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1994. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 418, § 54, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 2018, c. 95, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.