Sec. 101.202. ATTORNEY'S FEES

1. (a) In an action against an unauthorized insurer or unauthorized person on a contract, agreement, or arrangement of insurance issued or delivered in this state to a resident of this state or to a corporation authorized to do business in this state, the court may award to the plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee if:

   1. (1) the insurer or person failed, for at least 30 days after a demand made before the commencement of the action, to make payment under the terms of the contract, agreement, or arrangement; and
   2. (2) the failure to make the payment was vexatious and without reasonable cause.
2. (b) An unauthorized insurer's or person's failure to defend an action described by Subsection (a) is prima facie evidence that the failure to make payment was vexatious and without reasonable cause.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 101, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 28, eff. June 1, 2003;

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 11.013, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 60 (S.B. 1809), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2021.