There are three new proposed changes in the Virginia Law that would greatly help victims of automobile accidents. The proposed changes have passed the Senate and are pending in the House of Delegates.
Please read the information below to learn how they may directly impact your case. And, if you are interested in helping ensure that these beneficial laws are passed, please contact your local Delegate and ask them to vote in favor of these changes.
As always, Williams DeLoatche P.C. is here to answer any questions you may have about these laws and how they may directly affect your accident and insurance claims!
UNDERSTANDING THE THREE INSURANCE BILLS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
From the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association:
Three important insurance bills have passed the Senate and are pending in the House of Delegates.
How you can help…
– First, take a look at the bills below. – Second, the House Labor and Commerce Committee needs to hear support for these bills. Please reach out using this list of contacts.
The Three Bills
SB 1182 Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance; Increases Coverage Amounts
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage limits. Increases the motor vehicle liability insurance coverage amounts from $25,000 to $50,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of one person, from $50,000 to $100,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of more than one person in any one accident, and from $20,000 to $40,000 for damage to property of others as a result of any one accident. The bill requires that self-insured operators of taxicabs maintain protection against uninsured and underinsured drivers with the current limits of $25,000, $50,000, and $20,000, respectively. The bill applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2022. LEARN MORE!
Senate Bill 1202 (Petersen) Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance Policies
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance policies; bad faith. Provides that if an insurance company denies, refuses, or fails to pay its insured, or refuses a reasonable settlement demand within the policy’s coverage limits, for a claim for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits within a reasonable time after being presented with a demand for such benefits and it is subsequently found that such denial, refusal, or failure was not in good faith, then the insurance company is liable to the insured for the full amount of the judgment and reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and interest. LEARN MORE!
Senate Bill 1195 (Obenshain) Motor Vehicle Insurance; Underinsured Motor
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Motor vehicle insurance; underinsured motor vehicle. Provides that a policy or contract of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance for the use of a motor vehicle shall contain an endorsement or provisions obligating the insurer to make payment for injury or damage caused by an underinsured vehicle without any credit, set-off, or reduction for the available bodily injury and property damage coverage. The bill provides that a motor vehicle is underinsured when the total amount of bodily injury and property damage coverage applicable to the operation or use of the motor vehicle and available for payment for such bodily injury or property damage, is less than the total amount of damages sustained up to the total amount of uninsured motorist coverage afforded any person inured. LEARN MORE!
You can call our law firm 24/7 if you have any questions or would like more information. William DeLoatche, P.C. is always here for you providing PERSONAL ATTENTION and EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS! 757-547-5555