New York State Assembly

 
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A01029 Summary:

A01029 Actions:

A01029 Floor Votes:

A01029 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)



 
BILL NUMBER: A1029
 
SPONSOR: Cahill

 
TITLE OF BILL:
 
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to the provision of
supplemental spousal liability insurance to persons who are insured for
loss resulting from the ownership, maintenance and use of a motor vehi-
cle
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
Provides that insurance companies must provide motorists with supple-
mental spousal liability insurance coverage equal to bodily injury
liability coverage, unless the insured specifically rejects such cover-
age in writing.
 
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This bill would amend subsection (g) of section 3420 of the insurance
law as amended by Chapter 548 of the laws of 2002 to provides that all
auto insurance policies must include supplemental spousal liability
insurance coverage equal to the insured's bodily injury liability insur-
ance coverage unless the insured declines such spousal insurance with a
written waiver.
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:
 
This bill would amend the insurance law to prevent insurance consumers
unknowingly waiving supplemental spousal liability insurance coverage.
Under a traditional auto insurance policy, no coverage is provided for
injuries or death to a spouse if the accident was caused by the other
insured spouse. Supplemental spousal liability insurance provides vital
coverage to motorists where one insured spouse is injured or killed in
an auto accident caused by the other insured spouse. Few drivers are
aware of the value of supplemental spousal liability insurance and
insurance companies rarely promote this form of insurance coverage. This
bill will ensure that insured New Yorkers are fully protected by supple-
mental spousal liability insurance, equal to the bodily injury liability
insurance coverage they select, unless they affirmatively elect to
reject coverage.
 
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
 
2019-2020: A.205 - Referred to Insurance
2017-2018: A.31 - Referred to Insurance
2015-2016: A.2471 - Referred to Insurance
2013-2014: A.1055 - Referred to Insurance
2011-2012: A.10137 - Referred to Insurance
 
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
None.
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall become and shall apply to policies issued,
renewed or modified on or after such date; provided that, effective
immediately, any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this
act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on
or before such date.