SB 603: "Georgia Insurance Consumer and Policyholder Advocacy Act"; enact

Currently, Georgia's insurance rate rules let some private passenger auto insurance rates take effect automatically without the Commissioner's approval, and rate filings get limited scrutiny. This bill creates a new position, the insurance consumer and policyholder advocate, inside the Department of Insurance. The advocate would investigate policy cancellations and nonrenewals, take part in rate approval hearings on behalf of consumers, run public education campaigns about insurance, and request hearings when rate practices seem unfair. The bill also tightens the rules insurers must follow when raising rates. It eliminates the automatic 'file-and-use' approval track for some private passenger auto insurance, extends the department's review window from 45 to 60 days, and requires insurers seeking a rate increase to submit detailed actuarial justifications. Any rate increase of 10 percent or more within 12 months triggers a mandatory examination before it can take effect. Rate filings must also be posted on the department's public website within 10 days. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

• Creates a new insurance consumer and policyholder advocate position within the Department of Insurance to represent consumers in rate and complaint proceedings.
• Eliminates the automatic 'file-and-use' approval process for certain personal private passenger auto insurance rate filings, requiring Commissioner review instead.
• Extends the Commissioner's rate filing review period from 45 to 60 days, with a shorter allowed extension of 40 days instead of 55.
• Requires insurers proposing a rate increase to submit a detailed actuarial report, expense breakdown, and impact statement to justify the change.
• Triggers a mandatory state examination of any rate filing that raises rates by 10 percent or more within a 12 month period.
• Requires the Department of Insurance to post rate increase filings on its public website within 10 days of submission.

Georgia insurance policyholders and consumers across auto, health, life, property, and flood insurance; insurance companies and rating organizations that file rates in Georgia; and the Department of Insurance and the Commissioner of Insurance, who gain new staff duties and review requirements.

Georgians buying or renewing insurance policies could see rate increases face more scrutiny and public disclosure before taking effect, and would have a dedicated advocate to raise complaints about cancellations, nonrenewals, or unfair rate practices on their behalf.

• Section 3 establishes the insurance consumer and policyholder advocate within the Commissioner's office and lists duties including reviewing cancellations, participating in rate hearings, and consumer education.
• Section 8 adds a standard that rates cannot be 'unjustifiably increased' and requires extra review for any rate hike of 10 percent or more within 12 months.
• Section 9 eliminates the file-and-use track for some private passenger auto insurance and extends the review period from 45 to 60 days; also requires detailed actuarial justification for rate increases affecting consumers.
• Section 9 also requires the department to post rate increase filings on its public website within 10 days of submission.
• Section 10 requires the Commissioner to approve rate increases only if supported by clear data, necessary for insurer financial stability, and not excessive or discriminatory.
• Section 11 authorizes the advocate to review and investigate consumer complaints about rates and request hearings before the Commissioner when violations are found.
• Section 13 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying to policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

1. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)Primary sponsor
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)

• insurance rates
• consumer protection
• insurance regulation
• auto insurance
• Commissioner of Insurance