Legislation to expand underinsured-uninsured motorist coverage in Georgia failed to move before the Assembly's adjournment.

The session ended Friday without the measure, which had strong insurance company opposition and trial attorney support, coming up for a vote.

Earlier in the year the Senate approved the measure (SB 276) by a margin of 46-3. American Insurance Association Assistant Vice President Ray Farmer described the bill as a “stacking” of UM/UIM coverage.

But after approval by the House Judiciary Committee, the House Republican leadership held up the measure from a floor vote after opposition surfaced from the insurance industry.

Both chambers, and the governor's office, are controlled by Republicans.

“It would have been expanded so that a policyholder could make further use of that coverage if the at-fault driver did not have sufficient liability coverage,” Mr. Farmer said.

Coverage mandates for auto insurance should be narrowly defined, in order to keep policies affordable for the greatest number of drivers. “We're pleased that legislators ultimately sided with consumers, who continue to have the option to buy additional coverage but will not be required to do so,” he said.

Mr. Farmer said the measure failed to make it to an up-and-down vote in the lower chamber because of opposition from the insurance carriers, agents and regulators.

Bill Clark, public affairs director for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, said the Georgia insurance industry did not want to expose the “dirty little secret” of its allegedly 100 percent profit margin that comes from selling minimum limits underinsured motorist coverage.

“This is coverage that they are virtually guaranteed they will never have to pay out on a claim,” he said.

On other issues, legislators passed SB 182, which clarifies the asbestos and silica medical criteria law passed in 2005 so as to limit judicial challenges; for example, applying the medical criteria prospectively.

Looking forward, Mr. Farmer said the General Assembly is expected to focus its attention prior to the 2008 session on the key issue of rate modernization for personal lines insurance.

The Senate adopted SR 471, creating a study committee on the issue, and in the House, HB 867 was filed prior to adjournment for the purpose of studying rate modernization for private passenger auto insurance over the interim and possible consideration in the 2008 session. All bills still pending at the conclusion of the 2007 session will carry over to next year's session.

Special Reports /

Georgia Rejects UM Expansion

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