New Jersey Assembly Bill A1057

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Raises minimum amounts of property damage liability, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage for certain automobile insurance policies.

Impact

If enacted, A1057 is expected to provide enhanced financial protection for drivers in New Jersey by ensuring that more substantial coverage is in place to address injuries and property damage in automobile accidents. This increase in minimum coverage levels aims to reduce the number of underinsured and uninsured vehicle claims, thus potentially lowering the financial burden on the state’s insurance system. Additionally, the amendments to the insurance policies will likely influence how insurance companies set premiums and manage risk, possibly leading to changes in coverage options offered to consumers.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1057 proposes significant changes to automobile insurance policies in New Jersey by raising the minimum coverage amounts required for property damage liability, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage. Specifically, the bill increases the minimum amount of coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorist policies to $50,000 for bodily injury or death to a single individual, $100,000 for multiple victims, and $25,000 for property damage resulting from accidents not involving hit-and-run vehicles. Furthermore, the basic automobile insurance policy's minimum property damage liability coverage threshold would rise to $15,000 per accident.

Contention

Despite the bill's potential benefits, some stakeholders may contest these changes, arguing that the increased minimums could lead to higher premiums for consumers. Insurance companies might express concerns about the financial implications of these changes, particularly if they increase claims costs significantly. Advocates for affordability in insurance may also raise issues about the impact on lower-income drivers, who may struggle with higher insurance rates resulting from mandated greater coverage levels.