Idaho Requiring Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury, Uninsured Motorist Coverage

The Idaho Department of Insurance has issued a bulletin reminding insurers, agents and brokers that underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage is required to be included with motor vehicle liability policies sold or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2009, unless the named insured rejects the coverage in writing.

The change in law is a result of House Bill 429, which was enacted by the 2008 Legislature. The bill also requires that insurers provide a named insured a “standard statement … explaining in summary form, both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and the different forms of underinsured motorist coverage that might be available from insurers in Idaho.”

Standard statement language can be viewed on the Idaho Department of Insurance Web site.

The new law also requires the standard statement to be provided to existing policyholders upon their first renewal on or after Jan. 1, 2009. Each insurance carrier has been directed to establish a procedure that complies with the new statute.

The DOI advised people selling motor vehicle liability policies to update their forms as well as new business and renewal processes to assure they comply with the new changes.

For information, visit http://www.doi.state.id.us/.