Sec. 544.352. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Appliance" means a household device operated by gas or electric current, including hoses directly attached to the device. The term includes air conditioning units, heating units, refrigerators, dishwashers, icemakers, clothes washers, water heaters, and disposals.

(2) "Insurer" means an insurance company, reciprocal or interinsurance exchange, mutual insurance company, capital stock company, county mutual insurance company, farm mutual insurance company, association, Lloyd's plan, or other entity writing residential property insurance in this state. The term includes an affiliate, as described by Section 823.003(a), if that affiliate is authorized to write and is writing residential property insurance in this state. The term does not include:

(A) the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association created and operated under Chapter 2210; or

(B) the FAIR Plan created and operated under Chapter 2211.

(3) "Residential property insurance" means insurance against loss to residential real property at a fixed location or tangible personal property provided in a homeowners policy, which includes a tenant policy, a condominium owners policy, or a residential fire and allied lines policy.

(4) "Underwriting guideline" means a rule, standard, guideline, or practice, whether written, oral, or electronic, that is used by an insurer or an agent of an insurer to:

(A) decide whether to accept or reject an application for a residential property insurance policy; or

(B) determine how to classify the risks that are accepted for the purpose of determining a rate.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.015(a), eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 730 (H.B. 2636), Sec. 3B.022(a), eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 9.022(a), eff. September 1, 2007.