2023 -- H 6027 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

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LC002061/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIABILITY INSURANCE -- RENTAL VEHICLE

COVERAGE

     

     Introduced By: Representative Arthur J. Corvese

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 27-7-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-7 entitled "Liability

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Insurance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     27-7-6. Rental vehicle coverage.

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     (a) For liability assumed under a written contract, coverage shall be provided under the

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property damage liability section of an insured’s private passenger automobile insurance policy.

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Property damage coverage shall extend to a rented motor vehicle, under ten thousand pounds

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(10,000 lbs.), without regard to negligence for a period not to exceed sixty (60) consecutive days.

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     (b) Coverage pursuant to subsection (a) shall apply to all collision and comprehensive type

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losses.

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     (c) Whenever liability is accepted by an insurance company involving an accident that

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results in their insured’s causing a total loss of the other party’s vehicle, the at-fault carrier shall

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extend coverage for a rental vehicle for not less than an additional seven (7) days after the aggrieved

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party receives the total loss property damage check.

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     (d) Coverage shall be provided for loss of use of the rental motor vehicle; provided, that a

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claim for loss of use of a rental vehicle shall be limited to the reasonable time to repair or replace

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the rental vehicle, and shall be no less than the daily rental rate set forth in the rental agreement. To

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establish loss of use, the rental car company shall demonstrate that the rental vehicle sustained

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damage, regardless of fault, requires repair, and will be out of service for the period of time

 

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determined by a Rhode Island licensed auto appraiser or adjuster. In the case of a total loss, loss of

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use payments shall be made up until the time the vehicle owner receives the property damage

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payment for the total loss. Coverage for loss of use of a rented motor vehicle shall be provided

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regardless of fleet utilization.

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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 INSURANCE -- LIABILITY INSURANCE -- RENTAL VEHICLE

COVERAGE

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     This act would provide that whenever liability is accepted by an insurance company

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involving an accident that results in their insured’s causing a total loss of the other party’s vehicle,

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the at-fault carrier shall extend coverage for a rental vehicle for not less than an additional seven

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(7) days after the aggrieved party receives the total loss property damage check.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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