SB 708 - This act enacts provisions relating to motor vehicle financial responsibility. MINIMUM LIMITS OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (Sections 105.1073, 303.020, 303.022, 303.030, 303.120, 303.190, and 303.240)
This act increases, from ten thousand dollars to twenty-five thousand dollars, the minimum motor vehicle liability coverage a person must carry for others' property when operating a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law.
The act similarly amends a statute requiring minimum coverage limits for state-controlled motor vehicles, aircraft, and marine vessels.
This act increases, from sixty thousand dollars to seventy-five thousand dollars, the total amount required to be deposited with the state to receive a certificate of financial responsibility from the State Treasurer.
These provisions apply only to policies and certificates issued on or after July 1, 2019.
These provisions have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2019.
These provisions are substantially similar to SCS/SB 223 (2017) and provisions in SCS/HB 256 (2017), and similar to provisions in HB 900 (2017).
REDUCTIONS IN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE (Sections 379.110 and 379.118)
Currently, automobile insurance policies in this state can not be renewed with types or limits of coverage that are not at least equal to those in the existing policy – the existing policy must be cancelled and a new policy issued in its place.
The act removes this restriction for reductions that do not apply to all insureds with the same policy form, but requires written notice of the reduction in coverage to be provided to the insured no less than 15 days prior to the effective date of the proposed reduction. Such notice may be provided at the same time as written notice of policy renewal.
These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 955 (2018).
ERIC VANDER WEERD