In first adjustment since 1972, bill would require more car insurance

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Saying Arizonans are one accident away from financial ruin, state lawmakers want to force motorists to buy more insurance to pay for the deaths and injuries they cause to others.

Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, points out that existing law allows someone to drive a car or truck with insurance that pays for only $15,000 of liability for injuries to any one person in another vehicle they hit, and a total of $30,000 for all injuries and deaths out of the same incident. And their coverage for damages to the cars and other property of others can be as little as $10,000.

That figure, she noted, has not been adjusted since 1972.

Her SB1111 would boost the minimum personal injury liability to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident, and require property damage coverage of $25,000.

David Childers, lobbyist for the Property and Casualty Insurers Association, figures the change will boost premiums for those now buying just the minimal coverage by about $80 a year. But Childers is opposed to the legislation.

Childers said he fears that additional cost will cause more Arizonans to decide they just can’t afford coverage and ignore the law, driving without insurance.

Read more at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor