Utah: House Committee Votes to Hold Bill on Changes to UM/UIM Coverage Measure

The Utah House Business and Labor Committee voted unanimously Jan. 31 to hold a bill that would allow Utah employees to access their personal uninsured/underinsured benefits if, using their employer’s vehicle, they file a claim after a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

In a letter to the committee and in public testimony, NAMIC argued that HB 274, modifying provisions related to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, would have encouraged businesses to drop UM/UIM coverage, shifting the burden to private passenger auto policies, increasing overall claims and premiums.

Several committee members agreed, including Rep. Jim Dunnigan, who said, “It seems to me this is a business responsibility.”

Bill sponsor Rep. Anthony Loubet laid out the bill to the committee accompanied by Ken Christensen of the Utah Association of Justice, a large plaintiffs’ attorney organization.

After a motion to hold the bill by Rep. Ashlee Matthews, the committee voted unanimously to support the motion.