Auto insurance was the topic of most of the 281 property andcasualty-related bills enacted by state legislatures around thecountry last year, according to National Association of MutualInsurance Companies.

“Twenty-seven states approved 59 new motor vehicle insurancelaws, the majority of which pertain directly to driving under theinfluence, seat belt or child safety standards, and proof ofinsurance requirements,” said Ken Marshall, NAMIC state affairsinformation manager. “This trend is clearly in line with ournew-law findings from recent years.”

Nearly one-quarter (21 percent) of the new laws address motorvehicle insurance. Among the new auto-related laws, 23 pertain totraffic safety. Nine states (Arizona, Delaware, Indiana, NewJersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and WestVirginia) clarified, revised, or strengthened DUI thresholds andrelated penalties.

Seven states (Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, RhodeIsland, and Tennessee) addressed proof of insurance coverage orfinancial responsibility. Another five (Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma,Utah, and Washington) added provisions to uninsured andunderinsured motorist laws. New legislation in four states(Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, and Washington) affects salvage value ortitle requirements. Colorado, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and SouthDakota also approved laws addressing regulatory requirementsspecific to cancellation, denial, or non-renewal of motor vehicleinsurance.

Laws regulating motor vehicle insurance, workers' comp, and tortreform accounted for 43 percent of all new measures. Workers'compensation issues were addressed by 15 percent of the new laws,while 16 states enacted 21 statutes relating to civil litigationreform.