HB 735 -- Uninsured Motorists

Sponsor:  Yates

This bill establishes the Uninsured Motorist Stipulation of
Benefits Act of 2009.  An uninsured motorist involved in an
accident with a complying policyholder will be subject to the
following reduction of recovery for noneconomic damages:  25%
reduction for the first occurrence and 100% for a subsequent
occurrence.

Any person who knowingly or intentionally produces, manufactures,
sells, or distributes a fraudulent insurance identification card
will be guilty of a class D felony.  A person who is knowingly or
intentionally in possession of a fraudulent insurance
identification card will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor and
if in an accident with a complying policyholder will be subject
to a 100% reduction of recovery for noneconomic losses.

The reduction will not apply if it can be proven that the insured
motorist caused the accident while under the influence of drugs
or alcohol or if the insured motorist is convicted of vehicular
assault or homicide.  Passengers in the uninsured motor vehicle
will not be subject to the waiver.  The bill will not apply to a
motorist whose insurance policy was terminated for failure to pay
the premium unless notice of termination for failure to pay was
provided by the insurer at least 30 days prior to the accident.

If a motor vehicle owner fails to maintain financial
responsibility as required in Section 303.160, RSMo, the owner
will be guilty of a class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a
class A misdemeanor for a subsequent violation and will have his
or her motor vehicle impounded and driver's license suspended.
The first-time reinstatement fee for a suspended driver's license
due to the owner not maintaining financial responsibility on a
motor vehicle is increased from $20 to $100.

All licensed motor vehicle dealers must report specified
information monthly to the Department of Revenue on all sales to
verify the payment of property taxes owed on each vehicle.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am