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Bill to allow limited stacking of auto policies pits consumer advocates against insurers
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Summary
LB1042 would permit stacking of multiple auto insurance policies when injured passengers are not household members of the vehicle owner; proponents called it fairness for policyholders who paid premiums, while insurers warned of underwriting complications and premium increases.
Senator Victor Rountree introduced LB1042 to permit stacking of insurance coverage in certain circumstances when the injured party’s policy could supplement the vehicle owner’s limits. Proponents, including trial attorneys, argued Nebraska’s current anti‑stacking rules leave people who have paid for coverage unable to access it in real accidents.
Insurers and trade groups opposed the change, saying Nebraska’s current liability and UM/UIM framework already provides multiple layers of protection and that mandated stacking would complicate underwriting, raise rates and potentially increase the uninsured population. Testimony included examples of how priority rules and existing UIM protections function and concerns that stacking would increase risk for insurers and thus cost for consumers.
The committee asked about coordination of benefits and statutory pecking order; proponents said the bill preserves primary/secondary rules and limits stacking to avoid household‑level multipliers. No vote was taken; the sponsor signaled willingness to work with insurers on narrower, targeted language.
