97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB4096

 

Introduced , by Rep. Maria Antonia Berrios

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
215 ILCS 5/155.44 new
215 ILCS 5/424  from Ch. 73, par. 1031

    Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer issuing a policy of automobile liability insurance listing a driver as insured shall not deny coverage to that driver for the sole reason that he or she lacks a valid drivers license, provided that such person was identified on the application for the policy as an unlicensed driver. Provides that advertising or otherwise promoting the sale or solicitation of a policy of automobile insurance that includes a statement that a valid driver's license is not required in order to obtain automobile insurance, followed by the denial of coverage based on the lack of a valid driver's license when a claim is made on such policy of automobile insurance is defined as an unfair method of competition and unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance. Effective immediately.


LRB097 16758 RPM 61933 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4096LRB097 16758 RPM 61933 b

1    AN ACT concerning insurance.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by adding
5Section 155.44 and changing Section 424 as follows:
 
6    (215 ILCS 5/155.44 new)
7    Sec. 155.44. Automobile insurance; denial of coverage to
8unlicensed drivers. An insurer issuing a policy of automobile
9liability insurance listing a driver as insured shall not deny
10coverage to that driver for the sole reason that he or she
11lacks a valid drivers license, provided that such person was
12identified on the application for the policy as an unlicensed
13driver. However, nothing in this Section shall prohibit an
14insurer from requesting or enforcing a named driver exclusion
15with respect to an unlicensed driver.
 
16    (215 ILCS 5/424)  (from Ch. 73, par. 1031)
17    Sec. 424. Unfair methods of competition and unfair or
18deceptive acts or practices defined. The following are hereby
19defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair and
20deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance:
21    (1) The commission by any person of any one or more of the
22acts defined or prohibited by Sections 134, 143.24c, 147, 148,

 

 

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1149, 151, 155.22, 155.22a, 155.42, 236, 237, 364, and 469 of
2this Code.
3    (2) Entering into any agreement to commit, or by any
4concerted action committing, any act of boycott, coercion or
5intimidation resulting in or tending to result in unreasonable
6restraint of, or monopoly in, the business of insurance.
7    (3) Making or permitting, in the case of insurance of the
8types enumerated in Classes 1, 2, and 3 of Section 4, any
9unfair discrimination between individuals or risks of the same
10class or of essentially the same hazard and expense element
11because of the race, color, religion, or national origin of
12such insurance risks or applicants. The application of this
13Article to the types of insurance enumerated in Class 1 of
14Section 4 shall in no way limit, reduce, or impair the
15protections and remedies already provided for by Sections 236
16and 364 of this Code or any other provision of this Code.
17    (4) Engaging in any of the acts or practices defined in or
18prohibited by Sections 154.5 through 154.8 of this Code.
19    (5) Making or charging any rate for insurance against
20losses arising from the use or ownership of a motor vehicle
21which requires a higher premium of any person by reason of his
22physical handicap, race, color, religion, or national origin.
23    (6) Advertising or otherwise promoting the sale or
24solicitation of a policy of automobile insurance that includes
25a statement that a valid driver's license is not required in
26order to obtain automobile insurance, followed by the denial of

 

 

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1coverage based on the lack of a valid driver's license when a
2claim is made on such policy of automobile insurance.
3(Source: P.A. 97-527, eff. 8-23-11.)
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.