In Utah, car insurance laws are designed to protect both drivers and passengers, ensuring that all necessary coverage is in place. Below are some of the most important Utah car insurance statutes you should be aware of:
- Utah Code 31A-22-302 – Required Components of Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage:
Required unless waived in writing. - Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage:
Required unless waived in writing. - Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits:
Must be included in all consumer car policies; not required for motorcycles, off-highway vehicles, or trailers, but can be offered for them.
- Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Coverage:
Mandatory for all motor vehicle insurance policies.
- Utah Code 31A-22-302.5 – Named Driver Exclusions
- Excluding Drivers by Name:
This allows policyholders to exclude specific individuals from coverage, even if they live in the same household.
- Utah Code 31A-22-303 – Motor Vehicle Liability Coverage
- Drunk Drivers Coverage Reduction:
Provides provisions for insurance to be reduced if the insured driver was intoxicated. - Unforeseeable Medical Conditions:
Coverage applies for accidents caused by a driver experiencing an unforeseen medical condition, such as a seizure or paralysis, while driving. - Inter-Family Arbitration:
Offers arbitration for injury claims between covered family members, potentially avoiding court procedures.
- Utah Code 31A-22-304 – Motor Vehicle Liability Policy Minimum Limits
- Pre-01/01/2025 Minimums:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $65,000 total bodily injury
- $15,000 property damage
- $80,000 total for all damage
- Post-01/01/2025 Minimums:
- $30,000 bodily injury per person
- $65,000 total bodily injury
- $25,000 property damage
- $90,000 total for all damage
- Utah Code 31A-22-305 – Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- Hit and Run or Uninsured Drivers:
This statute provides protection for situations involving hit-and-run accidents or when the other driver is uninsured. It also allows for an undisputed tender process, where the insurance company must provide early compensation based on the case’s estimated value.
- Utah Code 31A-22-305.3 – Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Coverage for Underinsured Drivers:
If the driver who causes the accident doesn’t have enough insurance, this coverage allows your insurance to cover the difference after exhausting the other party’s liability limits. - Also has a undisputed tender process that is very helpful.
- Utah Code 31A-22-305.5 – Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
- Coverage for Property Damage by Uninsured Drivers:
If your property damage is caused by an uninsured driver, your insurance can cover the damages.
- Utah Code 31A-22-306 to 309 – Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- Minimum PIP Benefits:
- $3,000 for medical bills
- $20/day for household services
- $250 or 80% of lost wages (whichever is less)
- Each PIP benefit has a duration triggering event. Most require 2 week consecutive before the benefit kicks in.
- PIP Threshold:
You cannot sue for non-economic damages unless:- Death, dismemberment, or permanent disfigurement occurs.
- You incur over $3,000 in medical bills.
- PIP Exemptions:
PIP thresholds don’t apply to Uninsured Motorist claims.
- Utah Code 31A-22-312 – Liability for Collision Damage in Rental Cars
- Rental Car Insurance Requirements:
Utah law requires rental companies to provide coverage unless the damage is caused by willful misconduct, intoxication, or other illegal activity.
- Utah Code 31A-22-314 – Mandatory Coverage for Rental Cars
- Minimum Coverage for Rental Cars:
Rental car companies must provide Utah’s state-required minimum coverage if the renter doesn’t have insurance.
- Utah Code 31A-22-321 – Use of Arbitration in Third-Party Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
- Arbitration for Third-Party Claims:
This statute allows for arbitration to settle claims against a third party.- Cap on Damages: The arbitration award cannot exceed the policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance.
- Arbitration Panel: Can consist of 1 or 3 arbitrators.
- De Novo Review: You can request a De Novo review (re-trial) in Utah District Court, which includes a new 90-day discovery period and the option for a jury trial.
Contact Jake Gunter for Your Utah Car Accident Case
If you are involved in a car accident or need help navigating your Utah car insurance, call or text Utah Car Accident Attorney Jake Gunter at (801) 373-6345 for a free consultation.