Montana Legislature Passes Credit Scoring Bill

April 8, 2005

The American Insurance Association applauded the passage of an insurance scoring measure in Montana. This bill will ensure consistent use of personal credit information by insurers, while maintaining a tool that enables insurers to accurately predict risk and appropriately price coverage.

“AIA worked very closely with Montana legislators to develop a measure that balances insurers’ need to accurately assess risk with the need to provide protections for consumers’ personal information,” said Steve Suchil, AIA assistant vice president, western region. “Montana legislators considered several bills including a complete ban on insurers’ use of credit information. Negotiations resulted in a better measure which will enable insurers to offer products at a price that reflects the consumer’s potential for risk. Consumers who manage their finances do not want to pay increased costs in order to subsidize other higher risk consumers.”

SB 311, authored by Senator Duane Grimes (R), is based on the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Model Credit Scoring Act. On Wednesday, the Montana House approved the measure by a vote of 98 – 1. The bill now goes to the desk of Governor Brian Schweitzer (D) for signature.

“AIA urges Governor Schweitzer to sign SB 311 into law,” said Suchil. “This bill includes many important consumer protections and allows insurers to offer a wide variety of policies, providing consumers with more choices.”

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Latest Comments

  • April 12, 2005 at 2:14 am
    Greg says:
    But the very premise of insurance is that some people will always subsidize the risks of others. It seems that the credit debate always overlooks that issue.
  • April 12, 2005 at 10:29 am
    Mel says:
    I agree people who have been careful with their (good) choices, in life, should not be punished for other people mistakes, but should the people who haven't, be punished for t... read more
  • April 11, 2005 at 5:07 am
    Agent says:
    Melanie, What about the people who scrimp,save and sacrifice to maintain good credit, should they be penalized ?

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