The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, which convenes in January 2024.
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This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.
23-930 - Unfair claim processing practices; bad faith; civil penalties
23-930. Unfair claim processing practices; bad faith; civil penalties
A. The commission has exclusive jurisdiction as prescribed in this section over complaints involving alleged unfair claim processing practices or bad faith by an employer, self-insured employer, insurance carrier or claims processing representative relating to any aspect of this chapter. The commission shall investigate allegations of unfair claim processing or bad faith either on receiving a complaint or on its own motion.
B. If the commission finds that unfair claim processing or bad faith has occurred in the handling of a particular claim, it shall award the claimant, in addition to any benefits it finds are due and owing, a benefit penalty of twenty-five percent of the benefit amount ordered to be paid or $500, whichever is more.
C. If the commission finds that an employer, self-insured employer, insurance carrier or claim processing representative has a history or pattern of repeated unfair claim processing practices or bad faith, it may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation found. The civil penalty shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state general fund.
D. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commission under this section may request a hearing pursuant to section 23-947. The hearing and decision shall be conducted pursuant to section 23-941.
E. The commission shall adopt by rule a definition of unfair claim processing practices and bad faith. In adopting a rule under this subsection, the commission shall consider, among other factors, recognized and approved claim processing practices within the insurance industry, the commission's own experience in processing workers' compensation claims and the workers' compensation and insurance laws of this state.
F. This section does not limit or interfere with the authority of the department of insurance and financial institutions as provided by law to regulate any insurance carriers, including the jurisdiction of the department of insurance and financial institutions over unfair claim settlement practices as provided in section 20-461.