OR| Oregon DFR Bulletin No. 2026-7 replaces Bulletin 2020-1 and directs insurers across all lines of insurance to remove or avoid provisions that restrict Oregon policyholders’ ability to resolve disputes under Oregon law and in Oregon forums.
Key Points:
Pre-dispute arbitration: Policy forms may not require mandatory arbitration before a dispute arises, except for limited statutory appraisal/arbitration contexts; parties may voluntarily agree to arbitrate after a dispute arises.
Choice of law: Policies transacted in Oregon may not select another state’s or country’s law, consistent with ORS 742.018.
Choice of venue: Policies may not require disputes to be litigated or arbitrated outside Oregon; DFR considers such provisions unfair and an unlawful trade practice, and will disapprove forms containing any of these prohibited clauses.