NCJ Number
118536
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 15-19
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Arson reporting immunity laws foster cooperation by protecting insurance companies from threat of lawsuits when they share arson-related information with law enforcement officials.
Abstract
The model law allows agencies to request from insurance companies all information concerning a policy holder involved in a fire loss; requires insurance companies to notify appropriate law enforcement agencies of suspicious fire losses; provides for the exchange of information between the insurance company and the law enforcement agencies, as well as exchange among those agencies; grants limited civil and criminal immunity to those insurance companies and authorized agencies who exchange information; and safeguards the confidentiality of the released information. The provisions of the model immunity law are outlined and discussed, arguments opposing it are presented, and recommendations to both government and insurance industry representatives tasked with combating arson are made.