MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Insurance
By: Representative Stevens, Montgomery (74th), Chism, Eads, Dedeaux, Masterson, Robinson (84th), Guice
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-11-102, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSUREDS MAY ELECT TO PURCHASE A SINGLE-LIMIT, NONSTACKING UNINSURED MOTORIST INSURANCE COVERAGE IN LIEU OF UNINSURED MOTORISTS COVERAGE FOR EACH VEHICLE; TO AMEND SECTION 83-11-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following section shall be codified as Section 83-11-102, Mississippi Code of 1972.
83-11-102. (1) An insured in an automobile liability policy that covers ten (10) or more vehicles may elect to purchase, and an insurer may offer, single-limit, nonstacking uninsured motorist insurance coverage covering all vehicles listed in the policy for a single amount of uninsured motorist coverage. The single uninsured motorist coverage limit must be in an amount of no less than the liability limits required under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law for ten (10) vehicles combined. No matter how many vehicles are listed in or covered by the policy, the policy shall provide only one (1) single limit of uninsured motorist coverage to an injured person, or for property damage, or both, for any one (1) accident. The single limit of uninsured motorist coverage provided by the single-limit, nonstacking uninsured motorist insurance coverage may, where appropriate, be aggregated with or stacked with uninsured motorist insurance coverage available from other policies.
(2) In the course of the sale or issuance of single-limit, nonstacking uninsured motorist insurance coverage, insurers shall inform the named insured or applicant, on a form approved by the Department of Insurance, of the limitation on stacking imposed and that such coverage is an alternative to coverage without such limitation, and such form shall be signed by or on behalf of the named insured or applicant. If this form is signed by or on behalf of a named insured or applicant, it is binding upon all persons insured by the uninsured motorist coverage and it shall be presumed that there was an informed, knowing acceptance of such limitation. When the named insured or applicant has initially accepted such limitation on stacking, such acceptance shall apply to any policy from the same insurer, including sister insurers in the same holding company, which renews the coverage, extends the coverage or changes covered vehicles unless and until the named insured requests in writing a change to stackable uninsured motorist coverage. Endorsements to the coverage language that do not change the uninsured motorist coverage language shall not be considered a new policy for purposes of determining whether a new acceptance form is necessary.
SECTION 2. Section 83-11-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
83-11-107. An insurer paying a claim under the endorsement or provisions required by Section 83-11-101 or Section 83-11-102 shall be subrogated to the rights of the insured to whom such claim was paid against the person causing such injury, death, or damage to the extent that payment was made, including the proceeds recoverable from the assets of the insolvent insurer. The bringing of an action against the unknown owner or operator, or the conclusion of such an action, shall not constitute a bar to the insured if the identity of the owner or operator who caused the injury or damages complained of becomes known, provided that in any action brought against such owner or operator, the insurance company that has previously made payment as a result of the policyholder's claim against such owner or operator shall be mailed a copy of the summons issued for the defendant or defendants, and that any recovery against such owner or operator shall be paid to the insurance company to the extent that such insurance company paid the named insured in the action brought against such owner or operator, except that such insurance company shall pay its proportionate part of any reasonable costs and expense incurred in connection therewith, including reasonable attorney's fees.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.