National Association of Mutual Insurers Takes Issue With “Bill of Rights”
On November 2, 2025, Agency Checklists reported that Consumer Reports had published “A ‘Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights”. In that article, Agency Checklists noted that the “Bill of Rights’ laid out a nine-point blueprint for what CR deems “basic, common-sense protections”.
The following is a reprinted summary of those proposed rights:
- A clear, plain-language explanation of what is—and isn’t—covered. CR is calling for a “standardized plain-language summary” provided before purchase or renewal.
- Know which risk factors are used to determine eligibility and set rates. This would require insurers to disclose the main factors (e.g., location, disaster risk scores) and “any data or images used” in the underwriting process.
- Fair access to coverage based on property risk, not homeowner’s finances. This is a direct challenge to credit-based insurance scoring, stating homeowners should be evaluated on the “actual condition and risk of their property, not their income, credit history, credit score, neighborhood demographics, and other non-risk factors”.
- Receive written notice well in advance of major changes. This right calls for a minimum 60-day written notice for any nonrenewal, cancellation, or premium increase of 10% or more, with a “clear justification”. It also includes the right for a policyholder to appeal and have coverage reinstated if they correct the cited issue.
- Benefit from incentives to “harden” your home. Insurers should provide “clear, advance notice” of upgrades that would lower premiums and “guarantee” the discount if the improvements are made.
- Insurance security during and after declared States of Emergency. This is one of the most significant proposals. It calls for a moratorium on cancellations or nonrenewals for at least “one year” (two years for total-loss homes) in zones impacted by an emergency declaration. It also includes a 60-day grace period on premium payments.
- Face no penalties for inquiries and unpaid claims. This proposal targets the practice of penalizing a customer (with premium hikes or nonrenewal) for “pursuing information about their policy” or for a claim that did not result in a payout.
- Prompt, full, and fair payment on a claim. This provision seeks to mandate that “simple claims” be investigated and paid within 30 days of submission. It also calls for insurers to “publicly report their average claims response times”.
- Immediate and adequate financial support for emergency housing and essentials. This right calls for the “prompt payment of emergency financial assistance” (e.g., ALE) after a declared disaster without requiring an itemized list of lost assets.
Consumer Reports credits the Bill of Rights to the expertise of its partners and collaborators, including United Policyholders, the Consumer Federation of America, Dr. Steven Koller of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, and over 56,000 consumers who shared their input and stories.
The Bill of Rights can be accessed at this link: CR Homeowner’s Insurance Bill of Rights.
NAMIC: Consumer Reports Bill of Rights Shows Misunderstanding of Insurance, Regulation
NAMIC, or the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies is a national association of mutual property/casualty insurance companies. Established over 125 years ago, the association is now the foremost advocate and thought leader for the mutual insurance industry.
As such, on December 2, 2025, NAMIC issued the following the following statement in response to the Consumer Reports Petition.
“The insurance industry is, and always has been, fair, transparent, and accountable. Insurers operate under rigorous state-based regulations that protect consumers and ensure clarity in coverage. Many of the protections highlighted by Consumer Reports’ “Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights” are already embedded in law and standard industry practices, such as clear policy explanations, anti-discrimination safeguards, and the right to appeal coverage decisions.
The suggestion that insurers lack fairness or transparency is simply wrong. Rising premiums are not caused by industry practices; they are driven by real-world challenges, including economic pressures, legal system abuse, increasing frequency and severity of catastrophic weather events, and regulatory overreach. These factors are destabilizing markets and increasing costs for everyone and everything.
Insurers remain committed to providing reliable protection, clear communication, and meaningful options for homeowners. Our industry offers diverse products tailored to consumer needs and operates under strict oversight to ensure financial solvency and accountability. State insurance codes and regulations already require extensive transparency and consumer protections that insurers comply with every day.
We welcome constructive dialogue, but one-size-fits-all proposals and simplistic rankings do not reflect the complexity of insurance markets or the diverse risks faced by homeowners. NAMIC will continue to educate consumers and policymakers about the true drivers of rising premiums and advocate for evidence-based solutions that preserve access to coverage and strengthen market stability.”
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