An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases

This bill requires homeowners insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover the costs of cleaning up and repairing damage caused by heating oil leaks from residential storage tanks. Specifically, it mandates that insurers provide first-party property coverage to pay for cleanup and personal property damage, as well as liability coverage to handle claims from neighbors or third parties affected by the leak. The law sets minimum coverage limits of $75,000 for cleanup costs and $250,000 for third-party liability, with deductibles capped at $1,000 per claim. These protections will apply to all homeowners' insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, though insurers may exclude coverage if the homeowner failed to follow specific tank maintenance rules.