House clarifies PIP payments in motor-vehicle-insurance amendments
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Summary
The House approved an amendment and advanced House Bill 325 to clarify how personal injury protection (PIP) payments are treated when injured parties lack insurance; sponsors said the change ensures injured, non-fault parties receive the $3,000 PIP benefit and places the payment responsibility with the at-fault insurer.
Representative Bennion offered Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 325 (Motor Vehicle Insurance Amendments), which the House adopted; the amendment clarified that the provision addresses both at-fault drivers and insurance carriers.
During debate, members described the issue as a clarification of the intent behind PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. Representative Daniels explained that PIP is a no-fault benefit that typically covers the first $3,000 of medical bills regardless of fault, and that the bill would ensure the at-fault driver’s insurer ultimately bears the cost rather than leaving injured, uninsured parties without that $3,000.
Opponents warned the change could create an incentive for uninsured motorists and increase costs to insurers, with Representative Keiser and others urging caution. Supporters responded that the premium structure already anticipates PIP payments and that carriers should be responsible when their insureds are at fault.
Summation was waived and the bill passed the House and was forwarded to the Senate for further consideration (final floor tally not specified in transcript). The measure clarifies carriers’ and drivers’ responsibilities for the PIP benefit in at-fault collisions.
