SB0626 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 08252 KBJ 28424 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0626

Introduced 2/8/2007, by Sen. Mike Jacobs

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Volunteer Driver Protection Act. Provides that an insurer may not refuse to issue vehicle insurance to a person solely because the applicant is a volunteer driver and may not impose a surcharge or otherwise increase the rate for a vehicle policy solely on the basis that the named insured or any member of the insured's household or a person who customarily operates the insured's vehicle is a volunteer driver. Provides that the Act shall not prohibit an insurer from taking any actions upon factors other than the volunteer status of the insured driver. Provides that no producer of vehicle insurance may receive a license under the Illinois Insurance Code or any other professional regulation statute if the producer fails to certify under oath that the producer does not discriminate against volunteer drivers. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning insurance.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Volunteer Driver Protection Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Vehicle insurance" has the same meaning ascribed to it in the Illinois Insurance Code.

"Volunteer driver" means a person who transports individuals or goods without compensation above reimbursement for expenses. Such volunteer driving must be performed for a not-for-profit agency or charitable organization as defined in the General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986.

Section 10. Volunteer drivers. An insurer may not refuse to issue vehicle insurance to a person solely because the applicant is a volunteer driver. An insurer may not impose a surcharge or otherwise increase the rate for a vehicle policy solely on the basis that the named insured or any member of the insured's household or a person who customarily operates the insured's vehicle is a volunteer driver. This Act shall not prohibit an insurer from taking any actions upon factors other than the volunteer status of the insured driver. No producer of vehicle insurance may receive a license under the Illinois Insurance Code or any other professional regulation statute if the producer fails to certify under oath that the producer does not discriminate against volunteer drivers.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.