ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
holocaust victims;
insurance policies
Permits victims of the holocaust, heirs, assignees, beneficiaries or successors of holocaust victims to bring an action against insurers for unpaid claims.
There are approximately 100,000 people around the world currently trying to make insurance claims against policies issued during the time period of the holocaust. According to the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC), there are 111 claims filed by Arizonans. This measure is similar to national efforts to assist survivors and descendents of the holocaust to attain their rightful life insurance assets and allow victims of the holocaust, any heirs and beneficiaries to make claims on policies issued in the pre World War II era. The bill specifies that statute of limitations are not a defense for nonpayment of claims.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this measure.
1. Allows a holocaust victim or the heir, assignee, beneficiary, or successor of a victim who purchased a policy in Europe before 1946 and currently lives in Arizona to bring a claim against the insurer.
2. Prohibits dismissal of a claim due to limitation periods, if the action is brought before December 31, 2012.
3. Authorizes investigative and enforcement actions by the Director of Insurance if he deems necessary and establishes penalties, including $1000 fine for each violation, not to exceed $10,000.
4. Contains legislative intent language.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
House Action
FII 2/26/02 DP 8-0-0-2
CED 2/11/02 DP 9-0-0-1
APPROP 3/26/02 DP 11-0-0-5
3rd Read 4/8/02 41-13-6-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 16, 2002