States Enact Auto Bills

Auto insurance was the topic of most of the 281 property and casualty-related bills enacted by state legislatures around the country last year, according to National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

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

Nearly one-quarter (21 percent) of the new laws address motor vehicle insurance. Among the new auto-related laws, 23 pertain to traffic safety. Nine states (Arizona, Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia) clarified, revised, or strengthened DUI thresholds and related penalties.

Seven states (Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Tennessee) addressed proof of insurance coverage or financial responsibility. Another five (Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington) added provisions to uninsured and underinsured motorist laws. New legislation in four states (Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, and Washington) affects salvage value or title requirements. Colorado, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and South Dakota also approved laws addressing regulatory requirements specific to cancellation, denial, or non-renewal of motor vehicle insurance.

Laws regulating motor vehicle insurance, workers' comp, and tort reform 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 litigation reform.