S.C. Governor Vetoes Auto Insurance Proposal

June 8, 2006

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed several bills, including one that raises the minimum liability insurance requirement on cars.
The governor said he vetoed the bill because he believes it would increase automobile insurance rates, adversely affect low income drivers and reverse the recent decline in the number of uninsured motorists.

“It should be the choice of the consumer to seek higher protection and reduce their own personal liability in the event of an accident and not as a result of government fiat,” Sanford wrote in his veto message.

The legislation increases the minimum liability coverage that drivers are required to buy to $25,000 for bodily injury for each person injured in a wreck, $50,000 for all people injured and $25,000 to cover property damage.

The existing requirements are $15,000 for bodily injury, $30,000 for all people injured and $10,000 to cover property damage.

The governor also vetoed a bill that was aimed at allowing the state attorney general a freer hand in prosecuting price gouging cases during a time of emergency.

“This is not, in any way, to suggest that the current Attorney General would abuse the power given in this bill,” Sanford wrote. “I am only concerned that having both the emergency declaration and prosecutorial decision made by the same person is fraught with the potential for abuse by future holders of that high office.”

Sanford also vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal for unlicensed motor carriers to advertise.

Topics Auto South Carolina

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