Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB578

Introduced
4/9/25  

Caption

In financial responsibility, further providing for availability, scope and amount of coverage, repealing provisions relating to request for lower limits of coverage, providing for offer of lower limits of coverage, repealing provisions relating to coverages in excess of required amounts and to stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits and option to waive, providing for stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits prohibited and further providing for notice of available benefits and limits and for availability of uninsured, underinsured, bodily injury liability and property damage coverages and mandatory deductibles.

Impact

If enacted, SB578 will have significant implications for current state law regarding motor vehicle insurance. It seeks to simplify the understanding of available coverages for consumers and clarify the requirements for insurers, thus impacting how motor vehicle liability policies are issued and managed. The bill also introduces mandatory offerings for coverage, which could provide enhanced protection for drivers against those who are uninsured or underinsured. As a result, it aims to ensure that all insured drivers have adequate coverage options readily available.

Summary

Senate Bill 578 aims to amend Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding motor vehicle liability insurance, particularly focusing on the availability, scope, and amount of coverage. This bill specifically addresses uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, requiring that these options be offered to all policyholders while prohibiting the practice of stacking these benefits across multiple vehicles. Furthermore, the bill establishes that insurers must provide mandatory coverage amounts and outlines the processes for rejecting or electing coverage levels.

Sentiment

Discussions around SB578 have been characterized by a mixed sentiment. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary reform that empowers consumers by ensuring that essential coverages are offered while streamlining the insurance application process. However, critics raise concerns that limiting stacking options may disadvantage policyholders who could benefit from having multiple vehicle coverage limits combined, potentially reducing their overall financial protection in the event of an accident.

Contention

Key points of contention include the bill's prohibition against the stacking of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, which some stakeholders believe undermines policyholder rights. The debate reflects broader issues of consumer rights and insurance practices in Pennsylvania, with advocates for consumer protection urging the need for flexible options to cater to varied individual circumstances. The implications of these changes to existing insurance statutes will likely necessitate careful scrutiny as the legislative process unfolds.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB901

In financial responsibility, further providing for availability, scope and amount of coverage, repealing provisions relating to request for lower limits of coverage, providing for offer of lower limits of coverage, repealing provisions relating to coverages in excess of required amounts and to stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits and option to waive, providing for stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits prohibited and further providing for notice of available benefits and limits and for availability of uninsured, underinsured, bodily injury liability and property damage coverages and mandatory deductibles.

PA HB2559

In damages by action at law, further providing for recovery; in liability and compensation, further providing for schedule of compensation, repealing provisions relating to computation of benefits and providing for computation of benefits; in procedure, further providing for compromise and release, for collective bargaining agreement and for workers' compensation insurance; in additional coverages, further providing for irrebuttable presumption; in Self-Insurance Guaranty Fund, further providing for definitions and for prefund account; and, in Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund, further providing for definitions.

PA HB237

In comprehensive health care for uninsured children, further providing for contracts and coverage packages and providing for frenectomy services required.

PA HB720

In additional coverages, further providing for definitions.

PA HB1993

Further providing for title of act; in preliminary provisions, further providing for short title, for scope of act and for definitions and providing for regulations; in pharmacy audits, further providing for limitations; in registration, further providing for PBM and auditing entity registration; providing for pharmacy benefits manager contracts; in PBM cost transparency requirements, providing for PBM transparency report required, repealing provisions relating to regulations and providing for PSAO reporting requirements; in enforcements, further providing for scope of enforcement authority; providing for pharmacy services; and making repeals.

PA SB1000

Further providing for title of act; in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in pharmacy audits, further providing for limitations; and providing for pharmacy benefit manager contract requirements and prohibited acts.

PA SB903

In firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition; and, in home rule and optional plan government, repealing provisions relating to limitation on municipal powers.

PA HB1326

In criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

PA HB1609

In casualty insurance, further providing for hearing aid coverage.

PA HB190

In enforcement, further providing for jurisdiction and penalties; in sentencing, further providing for sentencing generally, for fine, for collection of restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and penalties and for payment of court costs, restitution and fines, repealing provisions relating to fine and further providing for failure to pay fine; in licensing of drivers, repealing provisions relating to suspension of operating privilege for failure to respond to citation, providing for fee for restoration of operating privilege and further providing for restoration of operating privilege, for occupational limited license and for probationary license; in financial responsibility, further providing for definitions; and, in penalties and disposition of fines, repealing provisions relating to inability to pay fine and costs.

Similar Bills

PA SB901

In financial responsibility, further providing for availability, scope and amount of coverage, repealing provisions relating to request for lower limits of coverage, providing for offer of lower limits of coverage, repealing provisions relating to coverages in excess of required amounts and to stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits and option to waive, providing for stacking of uninsured and underinsured benefits prohibited and further providing for notice of available benefits and limits and for availability of uninsured, underinsured, bodily injury liability and property damage coverages and mandatory deductibles.

VA SB1159

Motor vehicle insurance; underinsured motorist coverage, revises language of required notice.

VA SB754

Motor vehicle insurance; uninsured motor vehicle.

VA SB256

Motor vehicle insurance; remedies for bad faith for refusal of claims.

VA HB2385

Motor vehicle accidents; actions brought by uninsured motorists, limited damages.

VA HB2492

Motor vehicle accidents; actions brought by uninsured motorists, limited damages.

CT SB00954

An Act Concerning Payments Made Under Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

NC S319

Insurance Rev/Online Auctions/Firefighters