Conn. Moves Quickly to Toughen Truck Insurance Reporting Rules

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell said she would sign into law a measure that toughens insurance reporting requirements for an estimated 9,000 trucking firms.

The measure sped through both legislative chambers on its way to Rell’s desk. It gained backing following a 20-vehicle crash in Avon that killed four people in July.

The bill creates a new Class D felony for the owner of a commercial vehicle who knowingly and willfully operates without insurance. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Commercial vehicles owners must also file proof of insurance with the Department of Motor Vehicles every six months.

The bill also authorizes the DMV to suspend the registration of each motor vehicle registered in an owner’s name if the owner does not file. Under current law, the commissioner can request evidence of insurance. If there is none, the state can cancel the registration and confiscate the license plates.

“While we can never fully erase the damage and pain, we must ensure that compensation is available to help people heal and move on with their lives,” said Sen. Jonathan Harris, D-West Hartford, following the Senate vote.

Some House members expressed concern that the new rules could hurt small business owners, such as carpenters and repairmen, who drive pickup trucks with commercial plates. But the House defeated an amendment that would have focused the new law only on heavier trucks.

Lawmakers said the bill is just a start. They said they plan to return to the issue in February when the regular session opens.

When they do revisit the issue they could consider requiring insurance companies to notify DMV whenever insurance lapses for commercial vehicles. That’s required under current law for passenger vehicles.

However, insurance officials maintain it’s more complicated than extending that law because a trucking firm can suspend coverage for a particular vehicle without canceling its fleet’s liability coverage.

Michael J. Riley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, said some trucking companies drop coverage for a period. For example, firms that fill swimming pools typically drop the insurance on their trucks during the winter, he said.

But he said his group would still support tougher rules. “We feel it is reasonable and prudent for the state to require notice of insurance and notice of termination,” he said.

DMV Commissioner Ralph Carpenter said the state should force insurers to notify the department of lapsed coverage.

“If we don’t have some avenue to force that notification, I don’t know what the compliance rate would be,” Carpenter said.