Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has filed a bill seeking to abolish participation fees and deductibles imposed on motor vehicle comprehensive insurance claims.

Under House Bill No. 10005, Lazatin proposes amendments to the Insurance Code (Republic Act No. 10607) to prohibit insurance companies from requiring insured vehicle owners to pay participation fees or deductibles for repairs or replacement of damaged parts covered by comprehensive insurance.

The measure also bars insurers from deducting participation fees from insurance claim proceeds. However, it preserves the right of the party paying the claim to recover costs from the owner or insurer of the vehicle responsible for the accident.

Lazatin said comprehensive insurance is intended to protect vehicle owners from financial losses arising from accidents, theft, natural disasters, and similar incidents, but many policyholders still shoulder participation fees whenever they file claims.

“While risk-sharing mechanisms may be used in insurance pricing, participation fees may unduly reduce the actual benefit received by the insured, particularly when the damage was caused by another motor vehicle,” he said.

The congressman earlier filed House Bill No. 10003, which seeks to require health plans and insurance providers to cover infertility treatments, including ovulation induction, artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg freezing, and other procedures to be determined by the Department of Health.

Under the proposed measure, the DOH would formulate clinical guidelines and minimum standards covering eligibility, documentation, covered services, medicines, and patient safety.

Lazatin said the bill aims to make fertility treatments more accessible by reducing the financial burden on individuals and couples seeking to start a family.