President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III Highlights Consumer Protections in Newly Signed Georgia Insurance Fairness Act

ATLANTA (May 12, 2026) - Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R-Perry) today applauded Governor Brian P. Kemp for signing House Bill 1344, the Georgia Insurance Fairness Act, into law. Carried by Sen. Walker in the Senate, this comprehensive insurance reform package strengthens Georgians' access to affordable, quality insurance.

HB 1344 gives homeowners the right to see and dispute aerial images used as the basis for terminating their insurance policy. If an insurer relies on aerial or satellite images as a basis for canceling or not renewing a homeowner's insurance, they must now provide the homeowner with copies of the recent, date-stamped images used, and at least 60 days to address any identified issues and maintain coverage.

"In the 30 years I've been an independent insurance agent, I've never seen a market like we have experienced in the last few years," said Sen. Walker. "I've received calls from folks across the state whose homeowner's insurance policies were canceled with little notice or explanation. I'm proud to carry HB 1344 because it allows consumer protections to advance along with new technology."

Another key component of this legislation is the creation of the Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program, which will provide grants for structural improvements, such as roof reinforcement and other upgrades that reduce storm-related damage. The program is expected to lower long-term costs for families and insurers alike.

HB 1344 also enhances transparency by requiring local governments to report how insurance premium tax dollars are used, giving taxpayers greater visibility into how those funds support essential services and reduce insurance costs.

"This legislation brings transparency where there was confusion, accountability where there was abuse, and real protections where there were gaps. HB 1344 helps families fortify their homes before disaster strikes and makes sure the system is fair at the start. At the end of the day, our goal is to restore trust and position Georgia's insurance market to work for its people, not against them," said Walker.

The legislation strengthens enforcement against insurance fraud by increasing penalties for staged accidents and fraudulent claims, while also cracking down on uninsured motorists and on illegal solicitation practices targeting accident victims.

Additionally, HB 1344 establishes clear timelines for insurance claims following catastrophic events and extends the statute of limitations for certain property claims, providing consistency and fairness for policyholders.

HB 1344 takes effect July 1, 2026. You can read more about this legislation here.

# # # #

Sen. Larry Walker III serves as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate. He represents the 20^th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties, as well as a portion of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at [email protected].For all media inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].