Resolve, To Study the Effect of Insufficient Automobile Insurance Coverage
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1048
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: BERRY, BEAUDOIN, COOPER, MORRISON, GRATWICK

Legislative Document 
No. 1048 
H.P. 739 
House of Representatives, March 14, 2013 
Resolve, To Study the Effect of Insufficient Automobile Insurance 
Coverage 
Reference to the Committee on Insurance and Financial Services suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham. 
Cosponsored by Representatives: BEAUDOIN of Biddeford, COOPER of Yarmouth, 
MORRISON of South Portland, Senator: GRATWICK of Penobscot. 
Preamble.  Whereas, the State requires that each vehicle registered in the State 
carry a minimum amount of liability insurance; and 
Whereas, health insurance costs and costs of automobile repairs have risen 
dramatically in the past decade; and 
Whereas, increasingly, motorists do not have sufficient liability insurance available 
to cover the damages resulting from automobile accidents; and 
Whereas, some of these excess costs are being paid by the innocent victims of these 
accidents; and 
Whereas, some of these excess costs are being absorbed by health care providers; 
and 
Whereas, some of these excess costs are being paid by the MaineCare program and 
are unrecoverable; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Bureau of Insurance authorized to study.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance, referred to in 
this resolve as "the bureau," is directed to study the current minimum automobile 
insurance coverage required in the State and determine the frequency and extent of claims 
by motorists with insufficient insurance coverage and the resulting effects on victims, 
health care providers and the State; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Increasing minimum coverage.  Resolved:  That, as part of the study 
under section 1, the bureau shall determine the expected costs and effects of increasing 
minimum automobile insurance coverage; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Participation.  Resolved:  That the bureau shall invite the participation of 
the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, members of the insurance industry, health care 
providers and other interested parties in conducting the study under section 1; and be it 
further 
Sec. 4.  Reporting date established.  Resolved:  That the bureau shall report its 
findings pursuant to this resolve, including proposed legislation, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Insurance and Financial Services by February 1, 2014.  The joint standing 
committee is authorized to introduce a bill related to the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 126th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau 
of Insurance to study the current minimum automobile insurance coverage and determine 
the frequency and extent of claims by motorists with insufficient automobile insurance 
coverage and the resulting effects on victims, health care providers and the State.  The 
bureau is also required to determine expected costs and effects of increasing minimum 
automobile insurance coverage, and invite input from the Maine Trial Lawyers 
Association, members of the insurance industry, health care providers and other 
interested parties.  The bureau is directed to report to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Insurance and Financial Services, which is authorized to introduce a bill related to the 
report.