SB 35: Property Insurance Policies; notice required to be given a policyholder before the nonrenewal of his or her homeowners' insurance policy; increase the number of days

Under current Georgia law, an insurance company that decides not to renew a homeowner's property insurance policy must mail or hand-deliver a written notice at least 30 days before the nonrenewal takes effect. Senate Bill 35 amends that law (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-46) to stretch that minimum notice period to 60 days. The bill does not change how the notice must be delivered, who must sign for it, or the requirement that insurers state their reason for nonrenewal as required under Georgia's insurance code. It simply gives homeowners twice as much advance warning before their coverage lapses. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all homeowners' policies issued, delivered, or renewed in Georgia on or after that date.

• Increases the minimum notice period an insurer must give before nonrenewing a homeowners' insurance policy from 30 days to 60 days.
• Leaves unchanged the existing delivery methods for the notice, including in-person delivery, first-class mail, or delivery under O.C.G.A. § 33-24-14.
• Leaves unchanged the requirement that insurers state the reason or reasons for nonrenewal as required by Chapter 39 of Title 33.
• Sets an effective date of January 1, 2026, applying the new 60-day rule to policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after that date.

Georgia homeowners who carry homeowners' insurance policies, and property insurance companies that write and renew those policies in the state, since insurers must now plan nonrenewal notices around a longer minimum timeline.

Homeowners facing nonrenewal would get an extra month's notice to find replacement coverage before their current policy ends, which could matter in a market where finding new homeowners' insurance can take time, especially in areas with fewer insurers willing to write new policies.

• Section 1 revises paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of O.C.G.A. § 33-24-46 to change the minimum nonrenewal notice period from 30 days to 60 days from the date of mailing or delivery.
• Section 1 keeps the existing rule that insurers may provide a longer notice period if required by contract or other statute.
• Section 1 keeps the existing requirement that insurers give the reason for nonrenewal as required under Chapter 39 of Title 33.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as January 1, 2026, and applies the change to policies issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after that date.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2026-01-01
2. 2025-05-14Act 277
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2025-03-18House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2025-03-18House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2025-02-20House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2025-02-12House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Patrocinador principal
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado10 de febrero de 2025

   55 a favor, 0 en contra (0 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #30

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes18 de marzo de 2025

   168 a favor, 0 en contra (6 sin votar, 6 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #286

• homeowners insurance
• property insurance regulation
• insurance nonrenewal notice
• consumer protection