Resolve, To Study the Effect of Insufficient Automobile Insurance Coverage

Preamble. Whereas,  the State requires that each vehicle registered in the State carry a minimum amount of liability insurance; and

Whereas,  health insurance costs and costs of automobile repairs have risen dramatically in the past decade; and

Whereas,  increasingly, motorists do not have sufficient liability insurance available to cover the damages resulting from automobile accidents; and

Whereas,  some of these excess costs are being paid by the innocent victims of these accidents; and

Whereas,  some of these excess costs are being absorbed by health care providers; and

Whereas,  some of these excess costs are being paid by the MaineCare program and are unrecoverable; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Bureau of Insurance authorized to study. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance, referred to in this resolve as "the bureau," is directed to study the current minimum automobile insurance coverage required in the State and determine the frequency and extent of claims by motorists with insufficient insurance coverage and the resulting effects on victims, health care providers and the State; and be it further

Sec. 2. Increasing minimum coverage. Resolved: That, as part of the study under section 1, the bureau shall determine the expected costs and effects of increasing minimum automobile insurance coverage; and be it further

Sec. 3. Participation. Resolved: That the bureau shall invite the participation of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, members of the insurance industry, health care providers and other interested parties in conducting the study under section 1; and be it further

Sec. 4. Reporting date established. Resolved: That the bureau shall report its findings pursuant to this resolve, including proposed legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services by February 1, 2014. The joint standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to study the current minimum automobile insurance coverage and determine the frequency and extent of claims by motorists with insufficient automobile insurance coverage and the resulting effects on victims, health care providers and the State. The bureau is also required to determine expected costs and effects of increasing minimum automobile insurance coverage, and invite input from the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, members of the insurance industry, health care providers and other interested parties. The bureau is directed to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, which is authorized to introduce a bill related to the report.