MontanaHB 11469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise consumer protection laws

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

InsuranceCredit TransactionsFinancial Institutions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Lenders cannot force your insurer

Beginning January 1, 2026, lenders cannot require you to buy or renew insurance from a specific company or agent to get a loan. They can say insurance is required or offer their own coverage, but they cannot solicit property insurance until they give you a written loan commitment. Your policy from the insurer you choose must be accepted if it meets reasonable, non-discriminatory credit and coverage standards. Lenders cannot charge extra handling fees, reject your policy unreasonably, or use your data to replace coverage without your written OK. They may place insurance only if you fail to provide required coverage; these rules do not cover credit life or credit accident and health insurance.

Clear rules for insurance planners

Beginning January 1, 2026, an insurance seller who lacks a recognized planning credential cannot call themselves a financial planner or adviser. A credentialed seller may show the credential but cannot charge extra fees for normal policy sales or service. If the seller offers financial planning, they must tell you before signing that they also sell insurance and will earn commissions in addition to any planning fee. Any planning fee must be in a signed, written agreement before work starts. The agreement must list services, the fee or how it is figured, and say you do not have to buy insurance; the seller must keep it for at least 3 years.

Get your policy claims history

Beginning January 1, 2026, your insurer must give you, or your named agent, a list of claims charged to your policy when you ask. Failing to provide this list is an unfair claim practice.

More oversight of insurers and lead sellers

Beginning January 1, 2026, the law defines health insurance lead generators and makes them subject to insurance rules. A lead generator uses ads or other messages to build or sell lists of people for health insurance. Insurers must keep full records of all complaints since their last exam, including counts, type, outcomes, and processing time. Insurers and lead generators must keep complaint, claims, rating, underwriting, and marketing records for at least 5 years and let the Insurance Commissioner see them.

Stronger ban on deceptive insurance ads

Beginning January 1, 2026, the law bans deceptive insurance ads and sales pitches across email, websites, radio, TV, and other electronic media. It forbids intentional misquotes of premiums to make a sale and false claims about using a policy for a loan. It also bans offering insurance as bait to sell something else and using words like “free” or “no cost” when that is untrue. The rules apply to anyone who makes or publishes insurance ads or sales materials.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Mark Noland
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 295 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 1/31/2025