2019 -- S 0848

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LC002542

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

CAUSES OF ACTION

     

     Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Ruggerio, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     9-1-55. Treble damages in civil action for insurer violation of the unfair claims

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settlement practices act.

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     (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a motor vehicle has been deemed a

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total loss, the owner or leasee of the motor vehicle may bring a civil action against an insurer

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issuing the relevant policy for a violation of § 27-9.1-4(25).

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     (b) Any insurer found in violation of § 27-9.1-4(25) is liable for three (3) times the

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amount of damages awarded plus reasonable attorneys' fees.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --

CAUSES OF ACTION

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     This act would allow for treble damages in civil actions for violations by insurers of the

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unfair claims settlement practices act.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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