House approves HB24 to require exchange of insurance information after crashes; amendment clarifies police role

The Utah House debated and approved House Bill 24, traffic code amendments, after an amendment clarified how drivers should exchange insurance information following an auto crash.

Representative Dunnigan, sponsor of HB24, explained that the bill recodifies traffic code requirements and the amendment specifies that if a peace officer is investigating an auto injury crash, a driver who provides insurance information to the officer satisfies the statutory duty to give that information to the other party. Representative Christiansen expressed concern that once insurance information appears in a police report it could interact with other code definitions (including a governmental‑entity exemption in the loss reporting agency definition), potentially triggering unintended insurance consequences for drivers.

The sponsor said he had consulted the highway patrol and the state insurance department, who indicated carriers typically will seek the insured's side before making payments and that state law already prevents carriers from raising rates or canceling a policy unless the insured requests payment of the claim. Members asked about penalties and enforcement; the sponsor said enforcement is through complaints to the state insurance department, which may levy fines or penalties under statute.

Representative Wyatt, among others, spoke in favor, noting the bill helps enforce the state's requirement that drivers be insured and reduces unfair burdens when law enforcement does not respond to a crash. Debate was cut off by a successful previous‑question motion, and the House recorded the vote: HB24, as amended, passed 74–0 and will be referred to the Senate.