Oklahoma Insurance Law : Oklahoma Insurance Lawyer & Attorney : Buckman & Roach Law Firm : Tulsa Bad Faith Insurance & Declaratory Judgment Commentary

The purpose of a sworn proof of loss is to document the amount claimed is accurate and a genuine loss. If it later turns out the claim was inflated or fraudulent, the sworn statement can be used by a prosecutor for insurance fraud in a criminal case or denial of the claim for insurance for fraud in Oklahoma.

According to Oklahoma insurance law attorneys, there is a wide and varied practice in the insurance industry concerning the requirement for a signed, sworn proof of loss before payment of an insurance claim.  Some insurers insist on a signed proof of loss and others could care less.

Oklahoma law provides an insurer cannot assert the failure of the insured to tender a proof of loss as a defense to payment of the homeowners' claim unless the insurance company has furnished the policy holder with two blank proof of loss forms and warned the insured that the proof of loss must be tendered to the insurer within 60 days from the date of receipt of the blank forms. An insurer adjusting a loss under a fire policy can waive the requirement for a signed proof of loss if it doesn't make demand within a suitable time.

Insurers sometimes overlook the requirement to submit two blank proof of loss forms. Many Oklahoma insurance defense lawyers are critical of the requirement.  The reason for providing two forms appears to be a carryover from many years ago when scanners, copiers, and other means of reproduction were not as common and convenient. The second blank form was so the insured would have a copy for their own records.  Insurance attorneys in Oklahoma see the requirement for submission of duplicate blank forms as a requirement that no longer meets any real need of the insured.

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It has come as a surprise to many an attorney that Oklahoma has a one year statute of limitation in which to file a lawsuit for a claim involving a fire loss. The one year limitation is set forth by statute in the statutory fire policy. This rule is a significant exception to the typical five year statute of limitations for a written contract. The one year time period has been given the approval of the Oklahoma Supreme Court since 1916 in the case of Wever v. Pioneer Fire Ins. Co., 1915 OK 1046, 153 P. 1146. www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/deliverdocument.asp

Legal writers have observed over the years this one year statute of limitation may not be valid under Oklahoma’s Constitution. The Supreme Court has held in other cases that special legislation designed to protect a certain industry or class of individuals is unconstitutional. The one year requirement in which to file a suit involving a fire loss under a homeowners’ policy has been considered the law for close to 100 years and is recognized by most Oklahoma attorneys as the required time period.

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The Oklahoma legislature in 36 O.S. § 4803 has adopted a statutory version of a fire policy sometimes referred to as the "New York Standard Fire Policy". The statute requires all insurance companies issuing homeowners' policies in Oklahoma to have the minimum coverage required by the statute unless special approval has been received from the insurance commissioner allowing them to sell something less than the minimum requirement. Typically, obtaining the commissioner's approval for a nonstandard policy form is difficult unless the insurer is enlarging or expanding the available coverage.

Section 4803 provides for many of the defenses that are normally used by insurers in denying claims.  Fraud by insureds upon Oklahoma insurance companies is a valid concern.  There is provision for denial for fraud or concealment on the part of the insured. The statute also provides that bills, currency, deeds, evidences of debt, money, or securities are not covered by the insurance policy unless specifically provided by the insurance contract.

The statutory insurance policy provides there is no coverage for certain types of perils such as military invasions, rebellions, insurrections, civil war, neglect on the part of the insured to use all reasonable means to save and preserve property, and further that the insurer is not responsible for theft losses.

The statute sets minimum time periods in which the policy can be cancelled and the type of notice that must be given to an insured as well as a mortgage company before coverage is actually cancelled. In the event of a claim, it requires the insureds to tender a proof of loss within 60 days of the event and allows the mortgage company to submit the proof of loss if the policy holder does not take timely action.

The statute also makes provisions Oklahoma insurance attorneys use in taking examinations under oath, inspection of damaged property, and require preparation of a complete inventory detailing the quantities, cost, and actual cash value of the items claimed.  

Most homeowners' policies provide more coverage than the statutory minimum. For instance, the typical homeowners' policy will have coverage for theft, wind storm, liability coverage, and contain other clauses that give greater protection to a homeowner than the statutory framework enacted many years ago.  Questions about the minimum required coverages under a homeowners' policy should be reviewed by a competent attorney knowledgeable about Oklahoma insurance laws.

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