Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 388 (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Loubet, A.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• addresses limitations of actions involving insurance, including for personal injury coverage;
• modifies the statute of limitations involving personal injury from a motor vehicle accident or property damage to a motor vehicle; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

STATUTES OF LIMITATION AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Anthony E. Loubet
Senate Sponsor: 
 Todd D. Weiler
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses limitations on actions.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ addresses limitations of actions involving insurance, including for personal injury
coverage;
▸ modifies the statute of limitations involving personal injury from a motor vehicle
accident or property damage to a motor vehicle; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
31A-21-313
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 32
31A-22-305
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 163
31A-22-307
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 130
78B-2-305
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 143
78B-2-307
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 204
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
31A-21-313
 is amended to read:
31A-21-313.
Limitation of actions.
(1) (a) [
An
] 
A person shall commence an
 action on a written policy or contract of first
party insurance [
shall be commenced
] within three years after the inception of the loss 
except
as provided in:
(i) Subsection 
31A-22-305
(11); and
(ii) Subsection 
31A-22-307
(7)
.
(b) The inception of the loss on a fidelity bond is the date the insurer first denies all or
part of a claim made under the fidelity bond.
(2) Except as provided in Subsection (1) or elsewhere in this title, 
an action on a
written policy or contract for insurance is subject to
 the law applicable to limitation of actions
in Title 78B, Chapter 2, Statutes of Limitations[
, applies to actions on insurance policies
].
(3) An insurance policy may not:
(a) limit the time for beginning an action on the policy to a time less than that
authorized by statute;
(b) prescribe in what court an action may be brought on the policy; or
(c) provide that no action may be brought, subject to permissible arbitration provisions
in contracts.
(4) (a) Unless by verified complaint it is alleged that prejudice to the complainant will
arise from a delay in bringing suit against an insurer, which prejudice is other than the delay
itself, [
no
] 
an
 action may 
not
 be brought against an insurer on an insurance policy to compel
payment under the 
insurance
 policy until the earlier of:
(i) 60 days after proof of loss has been furnished as required under the policy;
(ii) waiver by the insurer of proof of loss; or
(iii) (A) the insurer's denial of full payment; or
(B) for an accident and health insurance policy, the insurer's denial of payment.
(b) Under an accident and health insurance policy, an insurer may not require the
completion of an appeals process that exceeds the provisions in 29 C.F.R. Sec. 2560.503-1 to
bring suit under this Subsection (4).
(5) The period of limitation is tolled during the period in which the parties conduct an
appraisal or arbitration procedure prescribed by the insurance policy, by law, or as agreed to by
the parties.
Section 2. Section 
31A-22-305
 is amended to read:
31A-22-305.
Uninsured motorist coverage.
(1) As used in this section, "covered persons" includes:
(a) the named insured;
(b) for a claim arising on or after May 13, 2014, the named insured's dependent minor
children;
(c) persons related to the named insured by blood, marriage, adoption, or guardianship,
who are residents of the named insured's household, including those who usually make their
home in the same household but temporarily live elsewhere;
(d) any person occupying or using a motor vehicle:
(i) referred to in the policy; or
(ii) owned by a self-insured; and
(e) any person who is entitled to recover damages against the owner or operator of the
uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle because of bodily injury to or death of persons under
Subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), or (d).
(2) As used in this section, "uninsured motor vehicle" includes:
(a) (i) a motor vehicle, the operation, maintenance, or use of which is not covered
under a liability policy at the time of an injury-causing occurrence; or
(ii) (A) a motor vehicle covered with lower liability limits than required by Section
31A-22-304
; and
(B) the motor vehicle described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii)(A) is uninsured to the extent of
the deficiency;
(b) an unidentified motor vehicle that left the scene of an accident proximately caused
by the motor vehicle operator;
(c) a motor vehicle covered by a liability policy, but coverage for an accident is
disputed by the liability insurer for more than 60 days or continues to be disputed for more than
60 days; or
(d) (i) an insured motor vehicle if, before or after the accident, the liability insurer of
the motor vehicle is declared insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; and
(ii) the motor vehicle described in Subsection (2)(d)(i) is uninsured only to the extent
that the claim against the insolvent insurer is not paid by a guaranty association or fund.
(3) Uninsured motorist coverage under Subsection 
31A-22-302
(1)(b) provides
coverage for covered persons who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or
operators of uninsured motor vehicles because of bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death.
(4) (a) For new policies written on or after January 1, 2001, the limits of uninsured
motorist coverage shall be equal to the lesser of the limits of the named insured's motor vehicle
liability coverage or the maximum uninsured motorist coverage limits available by the insurer
under the named insured's motor vehicle policy, unless a named insured rejects or purchases
coverage in a lesser amount by signing an acknowledgment form that:
(i) is filed with the department;
(ii) is provided by the insurer;
(iii) waives the higher coverage;
(iv) need only state in this or similar language that uninsured motorist coverage
provides benefits or protection to you and other covered persons for bodily injury resulting
from an accident caused by the fault of another party where the other party has no liability
insurance; and
(v) discloses the additional premiums required to purchase uninsured motorist
coverage with limits equal to the lesser of the limits of the named insured's motor vehicle
liability coverage or the maximum uninsured motorist coverage limits available by the insurer
under the named insured's motor vehicle policy.
(b) Any selection or rejection under this Subsection (4) continues for that issuer of the
liability coverage until the insured requests, in writing, a change of uninsured motorist
coverage from that liability insurer.
(c) (i) Subsections (4)(a) and (b) apply retroactively to any claim arising on or after
January 1, 2001, for which, as of May 14, 2013, an insured has not made a written demand for
arbitration or filed a complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(ii) The Legislature finds that the retroactive application of Subsections (4)(a) and (b)
clarifies legislative intent and does not enlarge, eliminate, or destroy vested rights.
(d) For purposes of this Subsection (4), "new policy" means:
(i) any policy that is issued which does not include a renewal or reinstatement of an
existing policy; or
(ii) a change to an existing policy that results in:
(A) a named insured being added to or deleted from the policy; or
(B) a change in the limits of the named insured's motor vehicle liability coverage.
(e) (i) As used in this Subsection (4)(e), "additional motor vehicle" means a change
that increases the total number of vehicles insured by the policy, and does not include
replacement, substitute, or temporary vehicles.
(ii) The adding of an additional motor vehicle to an existing personal lines or
commercial lines policy does not constitute a new policy for purposes of Subsection (4)(d).
(iii) If an additional motor vehicle is added to a personal lines policy where uninsured
motorist coverage has been rejected, or where uninsured motorist limits are lower than the
named insured's motor vehicle liability limits, the insurer shall provide a notice to a named
insured within 30 days that:
(A) in the same manner as described in Subsection (4)(a)(iv), explains the purpose of
uninsured motorist coverage; and
(B) encourages the named insured to contact the insurance company or insurance
producer for quotes as to the additional premiums required to purchase uninsured motorist
coverage with limits equal to the lesser of the limits of the named insured's motor vehicle
liability coverage or the maximum uninsured motorist coverage limits available by the insurer
under the named insured's motor vehicle policy.
(f) A change in policy number resulting from any policy change not identified under
Subsection (4)(d)(ii) does not constitute a new policy.
(g) (i) Subsection (4)(d) applies retroactively to any claim arising on or after January 1,
2001, for which, as of May 1, 2012, an insured has not made a written demand for arbitration
or filed a complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(ii) The Legislature finds that the retroactive application of Subsection (4):
(A) does not enlarge, eliminate, or destroy vested rights; and
(B) clarifies legislative intent.
(h) A self-insured, including a governmental entity, may elect to provide uninsured
motorist coverage in an amount that is less than its maximum self-insured retention under
Subsections (4)(a) and (5)(a) by issuing a declaratory memorandum or policy statement from
the chief financial officer or chief risk officer that declares the:
(i) self-insured entity's coverage level; and
(ii) process for filing an uninsured motorist claim.
(i) Uninsured motorist coverage may not be sold with limits that are less than the
minimum bodily injury limits for motor vehicle liability policies under Section 
31A-22-304
.
(j) The acknowledgment under Subsection (4)(a) continues for that issuer of the
uninsured motorist coverage until the named insured requests, in writing, different uninsured
motorist coverage from the insurer.
(k) (i) In conjunction with the first two renewal notices sent after January 1, 2001, for
policies existing on that date, the insurer shall disclose in the same medium as the premium
renewal notice, an explanation of:
(A) the purpose of uninsured motorist coverage in the same manner as described in
Subsection (4)(a)(iv); and
(B) a disclosure of the additional premiums required to purchase uninsured motorist
coverage with limits equal to the lesser of the limits of the named insured's motor vehicle
liability coverage or the maximum uninsured motorist coverage limits available by the insurer
under the named insured's motor vehicle policy.
(ii) The disclosure required under Subsection (4)(k)(i) shall be sent to all named
insureds that carry uninsured motorist coverage limits in an amount less than the named
insured's motor vehicle liability policy limits or the maximum uninsured motorist coverage
limits available by the insurer under the named insured's motor vehicle policy.
(l) For purposes of this Subsection (4), a notice or disclosure sent to a named insured in
a household constitutes notice or disclosure to all insureds within the household.
(5) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), the named insured may reject
uninsured motorist coverage by an express writing to the insurer that provides liability
coverage under Subsection 
31A-22-302
(1)(a).
(ii) This rejection shall be on a form provided by the insurer that includes a reasonable
explanation of the purpose of uninsured motorist coverage.
(iii) This rejection continues for that issuer of the liability coverage until the insured in
writing requests uninsured motorist coverage from that liability insurer.
(b) (i) All persons, including governmental entities, that are engaged in the business of,
or that accept payment for, transporting natural persons by motor vehicle, and all school
districts that provide transportation services for their students, shall provide coverage for all
motor vehicles used for that purpose, by purchase of a policy of insurance or by self-insurance,
uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.
(ii) This coverage is secondary to any other insurance covering an injured covered
person.
(c) Uninsured motorist coverage:
(i) does not cover any benefit paid or payable under Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers'
Compensation Act, except that the covered person is credited an amount described in
Subsection 
34A-2-106
(5);
(ii) may not be subrogated by the workers' compensation insurance carrier, workers'
compensation insurance, uninsured employer, the Uninsured Employers Fund created in
Section 
34A-2-704
, or the Employers' Reinsurance Fund created in Section 
34A-2-702
;
(iii) may not be reduced by any benefits provided by workers' compensation insurance,
uninsured employer, the Uninsured Employers Fund created in Section 
34A-2-704
, or the
Employers' Reinsurance Fund created in Section 
34A-2-702
;
(iv) may be reduced by health insurance subrogation only after the covered person has
been made whole;
(v) may not be collected for bodily injury or death sustained by a person:
(A) while committing a violation of Section 
41-1a-1314
;
(B) who, as a passenger in a vehicle, has knowledge that the vehicle is being operated
in violation of Section 
41-1a-1314
; or
(C) while committing a felony; and
(vi) notwithstanding Subsection (5)(c)(v), may be recovered:
(A) for a person under 18 years old who is injured within the scope of Subsection
(5)(c)(v) but limited to medical and funeral expenses; or
(B) by a law enforcement officer as defined in Section 
53-13-103
, who is injured
within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's duties.
(d) As used in this Subsection (5), "motor vehicle" has the same meaning as under
Section 
41-1a-102
.
(6) When a covered person alleges that an uninsured motor vehicle under Subsection
(2)(b) proximately caused an accident without touching the covered person or the motor
vehicle occupied by the covered person, the covered person shall show the existence of the
uninsured motor vehicle by clear and convincing evidence consisting of more than the covered
person's testimony.
(7) (a) The limit of liability for uninsured motorist coverage for two or more motor
vehicles may not be added together, combined, or stacked to determine the limit of insurance
coverage available to an injured person for any one accident.
(b) (i) Subsection (7)(a) applies to all persons except a covered person as defined under
Subsection (8)(b).
(ii) A covered person as defined under Subsection (8)(b)(ii) is entitled to the highest
limits of uninsured motorist coverage afforded for any one motor vehicle that the covered
person is the named insured or an insured family member.
(iii) This coverage shall be in addition to the coverage on the motor vehicle the covered
person is occupying.
(iv) Neither the primary nor the secondary coverage may be set off against the other.
(c) Coverage on a motor vehicle occupied at the time of an accident shall be primary
coverage, and the coverage elected by a person described under Subsections (1)(a), (b), and (c)
shall be secondary coverage.
(8) (a) Uninsured motorist coverage under this section applies to bodily injury,
sickness, disease, or death of covered persons while occupying or using a motor vehicle only if
the motor vehicle is described in the policy under which a claim is made, or if the motor
vehicle is a newly acquired or replacement motor vehicle covered under the terms of the policy. 
Except as provided in Subsection (7) or this Subsection (8), a covered person injured in a
motor vehicle described in a policy that includes uninsured motorist benefits may not elect to
collect uninsured motorist coverage benefits from any other motor vehicle insurance policy
under which the person is a covered person.
(b) Each of the following persons may also recover uninsured motorist benefits under
any one other policy in which they are described as a "covered person" as defined in Subsection
(1):
(i) a covered person injured as a pedestrian by an uninsured motor vehicle; and
(ii) except as provided in Subsection (8)(c), a covered person injured while occupying
or using a motor vehicle that is not owned, leased, or furnished:
(A) to the covered person;
(B) to the covered person's spouse; or
(C) to the covered person's resident parent or resident sibling.
(c) (i) A covered person may recover benefits from no more than two additional
policies, one additional policy from each parent's household if the covered person is:
(A) a dependent minor of parents who reside in separate households; and
(B) injured while occupying or using a motor vehicle that is not owned, leased, or
furnished:
(I) to the covered person;
(II) to the covered person's resident parent; or
(III) to the covered person's resident sibling.
(ii) Each parent's policy under this Subsection (8)(c) is liable only for the percentage of
the damages that the limit of liability of each parent's policy of uninsured motorist coverage
bears to the total of both parents' uninsured coverage applicable to the accident.
(d) A covered person's recovery under any available policies may not exceed the full
amount of damages.
(e) A covered person in Subsection (8)(b) is not barred against making subsequent
elections if recovery is unavailable under previous elections.
(f) (i) As used in this section, "interpolicy stacking" means recovering benefits for a
single incident of loss under more than one insurance policy.
(ii) Except to the extent permitted by Subsection (7) and this Subsection (8),
interpolicy stacking is prohibited for uninsured motorist coverage.
(9) (a) When a claim is brought by a named insured or a person described in
Subsection (1) and is asserted against the covered person's uninsured motorist carrier, the
claimant may elect to resolve the claim:
(i) by submitting the claim to binding arbitration; or
(ii) through litigation.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the policy under which uninsured benefits are
claimed, the election provided in Subsection (9)(a) is available to the claimant only, except that
if the policy under which insured benefits are claimed provides that either an insured or the
insurer may elect arbitration, the insured or the insurer may elect arbitration and that election to
arbitrate shall stay the litigation of the claim under Subsection (9)(a)(ii).
(c) Once the claimant has elected to commence litigation under Subsection (9)(a)(ii),
the claimant may not elect to resolve the claim through binding arbitration under this section
without the written consent of the uninsured motorist carrier.
(d) For purposes of the statute of limitations applicable to a claim described in
Subsection (9)(a), if the claimant does not elect to resolve the claim through litigation, the
claim is considered filed when the claimant submits the claim to binding arbitration in
accordance with this Subsection (9).
(e) (i) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, a claim that is submitted to
binding arbitration under Subsection (9)(a)(i) shall be resolved by a single arbitrator.
(ii) All parties shall agree on the single arbitrator selected under Subsection (9)(e)(i).
(iii) If the parties are unable to agree on a single arbitrator as required under Subsection
(9)(e)(ii), the parties shall select a panel of three arbitrators.
(f) If the parties select a panel of three arbitrators under Subsection (9)(e)(iii):
(i) each side shall select one arbitrator; and
(ii) the arbitrators appointed under Subsection (9)(f)(i) shall select one additional
arbitrator to be included in the panel.
(g) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing:
(i) each party shall pay an equal share of the fees and costs of the arbitrator selected
under Subsection (9)(e)(i); or
(ii) if an arbitration panel is selected under Subsection (9)(e)(iii):
(A) each party shall pay the fees and costs of the arbitrator selected by that party; and
(B) each party shall pay an equal share of the fees and costs of the arbitrator selected
under Subsection (9)(f)(ii).
(h) Except as otherwise provided in this section or unless otherwise agreed to in
writing by the parties, an arbitration proceeding conducted under this section shall be governed
by Title 78B, Chapter 11, Utah Uniform Arbitration Act.
(i) (i) The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with Rules 26(a)(4) through (f),
27 through 37, 54, and 68 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, once the requirements of
Subsections (10)(a) through (c) are satisfied.
(ii) The specified tier as defined by Rule 26(c)(3) of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure
shall be determined based on the claimant's specific monetary amount in the written demand
for payment of uninsured motorist coverage benefits as required in Subsection (10)(a)(i)(A).
(iii) Rules 26.1 and 26.2 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply to
arbitration claims under this part.
(j) All issues of discovery shall be resolved by the arbitrator or the arbitration panel.
(k) A written decision by a single arbitrator or by a majority of the arbitration panel
shall constitute a final decision.
(l) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (10), the amount of an arbitration award may
not exceed the uninsured motorist policy limits of all applicable uninsured motorist policies,
including applicable uninsured motorist umbrella policies.
(ii) If the initial arbitration award exceeds the uninsured motorist policy limits of all
applicable uninsured motorist policies, the arbitration award shall be reduced to an amount
equal to the combined uninsured motorist policy limits of all applicable uninsured motorist
policies.
(m) The arbitrator or arbitration panel may not decide the issues of coverage or
extra-contractual damages, including:
(i) whether the claimant is a covered person;
(ii) whether the policy extends coverage to the loss; or
(iii) any allegations or claims asserting consequential damages or bad faith liability.
(n) The arbitrator or arbitration panel may not conduct arbitration on a class-wide or
class-representative basis.
(o) If the arbitrator or arbitration panel finds that the action was not brought, pursued,
or defended in good faith, the arbitrator or arbitration panel may award reasonable attorney fees
and costs against the party that failed to bring, pursue, or defend the claim in good faith.
(p) An arbitration award issued under this section shall be the final resolution of all
claims not excluded by Subsection (9)(m) between the parties unless:
(i) the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means;
(ii) either party, within 20 days after service of the arbitration award:
(A) files a complaint requesting a trial de novo in the district court; and
(B) serves the nonmoving party with a copy of the complaint requesting a trial de novo
under Subsection (9)(p)(ii)(A).
(q) (i) Upon filing a complaint for a trial de novo under Subsection (9)(p), the claim
shall proceed through litigation pursuant to the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and Utah Rules
of Evidence in the district court.
(ii) In accordance with Rule 38, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, either party may
request a jury trial with a complaint requesting a trial de novo under Subsection (9)(p)(ii)(A).
(r) (i) If the claimant, as the moving party in a trial de novo requested under Subsection
(9)(p), does not obtain a verdict that is at least $5,000 and is at least 20% greater than the
arbitration award, the claimant is responsible for all of the nonmoving party's costs.
(ii) If the uninsured motorist carrier, as the moving party in a trial de novo requested
under Subsection (9)(p), does not obtain a verdict that is at least 20% less than the arbitration
award, the uninsured motorist carrier is responsible for all of the nonmoving party's costs.
(iii) Except as provided in Subsection (9)(r)(iv), the costs under this Subsection (9)(r)
shall include:
(A) any costs set forth in Rule 54(d), Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
(B) the costs of expert witnesses and depositions.
(iv) An award of costs under this Subsection (9)(r) may not exceed $2,500 unless
Subsection (10)(h)(iii) applies.
(s) For purposes of determining whether a party's verdict is greater or less than the
arbitration award under Subsection (9)(r), a court may not consider any recovery or other relief
granted on a claim for damages if the claim for damages:
(i) was not fully disclosed in writing prior to the arbitration proceeding; or
(ii) was not disclosed in response to discovery contrary to the Utah Rules of Civil
Procedure.
(t) If a district court determines, upon a motion of the nonmoving party, that the
moving party's use of the trial de novo process was filed in bad faith in accordance with
Section 
78B-5-825
, the district court may award reasonable attorney fees to the nonmoving
party.
(u) Nothing in this section is intended to limit any claim under any other portion of an
applicable insurance policy.
(v) If there are multiple uninsured motorist policies, as set forth in Subsection (8), the
claimant may elect to arbitrate in one hearing the claims against all the uninsured motorist
carriers.
(10) (a) Within 30 days after a covered person elects to submit a claim for uninsured
motorist benefits to binding arbitration or files litigation, the covered person shall provide to
the uninsured motorist carrier:
(i) a written demand for payment of uninsured motorist coverage benefits, setting forth:
(A) subject to Subsection (10)(m), the specific monetary amount of the demand,
including a computation of the covered person's claimed past medical expenses, claimed past
lost wages, and the other claimed past economic damages; and
(B) the factual and legal basis and any supporting documentation for the demand;
(ii) a written statement under oath disclosing:
(A) (I) the names and last known addresses of all health care providers who have
rendered health care services to the covered person that are material to the claims for which
uninsured motorist benefits are sought for a period of five years preceding the date of the event
giving rise to the claim for uninsured motorist benefits up to the time the election for
arbitration or litigation has been exercised; and
(II) the names and last known addresses of the health care providers who have rendered
health care services to the covered person, which the covered person claims are immaterial to
the claims for which uninsured motorist benefits are sought, for a period of five years
preceding the date of the event giving rise to the claim for uninsured motorist benefits up to the
time the election for arbitration or litigation has been exercised that have not been disclosed
under Subsection (10)(a)(ii)(A)(I);
(B) (I) the names and last known addresses of all health insurers or other entities to
whom the covered person has submitted claims for health care services or benefits material to
the claims for which uninsured motorist benefits are sought, for a period of five years
preceding the date of the event giving rise to the claim for uninsured motorist benefits up to the
time the election for arbitration or litigation has been exercised; and
(II) the names and last known addresses of the health insurers or other entities to whom
the covered person has submitted claims for health care services or benefits, which the covered
person claims are immaterial to the claims for which uninsured motorist benefits are sought,
for a period of five years preceding the date of the event giving rise to the claim for uninsured
motorist benefits up to the time the election for arbitration or litigation have not been disclosed;
(C) if lost wages, diminished earning capacity, or similar damages are claimed, all
employers of the covered person for a period of five years preceding the date of the event
giving rise to the claim for uninsured motorist benefits up to the time the election for
arbitration or litigation has been exercised;
(D) other documents to reasonably support the claims being asserted; and
(E) all state and federal statutory lienholders including a statement as to whether the
covered person is a recipient of Medicare or Medicaid benefits or Utah Children's Health
Insurance Program benefits under Title 26, Chapter 40, Utah Children's Health Insurance Act,
or if the claim is subject to any other state or federal statutory liens; and
(iii) signed authorizations to allow the uninsured motorist carrier to only obtain records
and billings from the individuals or entities disclosed under Subsections (10)(a)(ii)(A)(I),
(B)(I), and (C).
(b) (i) If the uninsured motorist carrier determines that the disclosure of undisclosed
health care providers or health care insurers under Subsection (10)(a)(ii) is reasonably
necessary, the uninsured motorist carrier may:
(A) make a request for the disclosure of the identity of the health care providers or
health care insurers; and
(B) make a request for authorizations to allow the uninsured motorist carrier to only
obtain records and billings from the individuals or entities not disclosed.
(ii) If the covered person does not provide the requested information within 10 days:
(A) the covered person shall disclose, in writing, the legal or factual basis for the
failure to disclose the health care providers or health care insurers; and
(B) either the covered person or the uninsured motorist carrier may request the
arbitrator or arbitration panel to resolve the issue of whether the identities or records are to be
provided if the covered person has elected arbitration.
(iii) The time periods imposed by Subsection (10)(c)(i) are tolled pending resolution of
the dispute concerning the disclosure and production of records of the health care providers or
health care insurers.
(c) (i) An uninsured motorist carrier that receives an election for arbitration or a notice
of filing litigation and the demand for payment of uninsured motorist benefits under Subsection
(10)(a)(i) shall have a reasonable time, not to exceed 60 days from the date of the demand and
receipt of the items specified in Subsections (10)(a)(i) through (iii), to:
(A) provide a written response to the written demand for payment provided for in
Subsection (10)(a)(i);
(B) except as provided in Subsection (10)(c)(i)(C), tender the amount, if any, of the
uninsured motorist carrier's determination of the amount owed to the covered person; and
(C) if the covered person is a recipient of Medicare or Medicaid benefits or Utah
Children's Health Insurance Program benefits under Title 26, Chapter 40, Utah Children's
Health Insurance Act, or if the claim is subject to any other state or federal statutory liens,
tender the amount, if any, of the uninsured motorist carrier's determination of the amount owed
to the covered person less:
(I) if the amount of the state or federal statutory lien is established, the amount of the
lien; or
(II) if the amount of the state or federal statutory lien is not established, two times the
amount of the medical expenses subject to the state or federal statutory lien until such time as
the amount of the state or federal statutory lien is established.
(ii) If the amount tendered by the uninsured motorist carrier under Subsection (10)(c)(i)
is the total amount of the uninsured motorist policy limits, the tendered amount shall be
accepted by the covered person.
(d) A covered person who receives a written response from an uninsured motorist
carrier as provided for in Subsection (10)(c)(i), may:
(i) elect to accept the amount tendered in Subsection (10)(c)(i) as payment in full of all
uninsured motorist claims; or
(ii) elect to:
(A) accept the amount tendered in Subsection (10)(c)(i) as partial payment of all
uninsured motorist claims; and
(B) continue to litigate or arbitrate the remaining claim in accordance with the election
made under Subsections (9)(a), (b), and (c).
(e) If a covered person elects to accept the amount tendered under Subsection (10)(c)(i)
as partial payment of all uninsured motorist claims, the final award obtained through
arbitration, litigation, or later settlement shall be reduced by any payment made by the
uninsured motorist carrier under Subsection (10)(c)(i).
(f) In an arbitration proceeding on the remaining uninsured claims:
(i) the parties may not disclose to the arbitrator or arbitration panel the amount paid
under Subsection (10)(c)(i) until after the arbitration award has been rendered; and
(ii) the parties may not disclose the amount of the limits of uninsured motorist benefits
provided by the policy.
(g) If the final award obtained through arbitration or litigation is greater than the
average of the covered person's initial written demand for payment provided for in Subsection
(10)(a)(i) and the uninsured motorist carrier's initial written response provided for in
Subsection (10)(c)(i), the uninsured motorist carrier shall pay:
(i) the final award obtained through arbitration or litigation, except that if the award
exceeds the policy limits of the subject uninsured motorist policy by more than $15,000, the
amount shall be reduced to an amount equal to the policy limits plus $15,000; and
(ii) any of the following applicable costs:
(A) any costs as set forth in Rule 54(d), Utah Rules of Civil Procedure;
(B) the arbitrator or arbitration panel's fee; and
(C) the reasonable costs of expert witnesses and depositions used in the presentation of
evidence during arbitration or litigation.
(h) (i) The covered person shall provide an affidavit of costs within five days of an
arbitration award.
(ii) (A) Objection to the affidavit of costs shall specify with particularity the costs to
which the uninsured motorist carrier objects.
(B) The objection shall be resolved by the arbitrator or arbitration panel.
(iii) The award of costs by the arbitrator or arbitration panel under Subsection
(10)(g)(ii) may not exceed $5,000.
(i) (i) A covered person shall disclose all material information, other than rebuttal
evidence, within 30 days after a covered person elects to submit a claim for uninsured motorist
coverage benefits to binding arbitration or files litigation as specified in Subsection (10)(a).
(ii) If the information under Subsection (10)(i)(i) is not disclosed, the covered person
may not recover costs or any amounts in excess of the policy under Subsection (10)(g).
(j) This Subsection (10) does not limit any other cause of action that arose or may arise
against the uninsured motorist carrier from the same dispute.
(k) The provisions of this Subsection (10) only apply to motor vehicle accidents that
occur on or after March 30, 2010.
(l) (i) The written demand requirement in Subsection (10)(a)(i)(A) does not affect the
covered person's requirement to provide a computation of any other economic damages
claimed, and the one or more respondents shall have a reasonable time after the receipt of the
computation of any other economic damages claimed to conduct fact and expert discovery as to
any additional damages claimed. The changes made by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 290,
Section 10, and Chapter 300, Section 10, to this Subsection (10)(l) and Subsection
(10)(a)(i)(A) apply to a claim submitted to binding arbitration or through litigation on or after
May 13, 2014.
(ii) The changes made by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 290, Section 10, and Chapter
300, Section 10, to Subsections (10)(a)(ii)(A)(II) and (B)(II) apply to any claim submitted to
binding arbitration or through litigation on or after May 13, 2014.
(11) (a) [
Notwithstanding Section 
31A-21-313
, an
] 
A person shall commence an
 action
on a written policy or contract for uninsured motorist coverage [
shall be commenced
] within
four years after the inception of loss.
(b) Subsection (11)(a) shall apply to all claims that have not been time barred by
Subsection 
31A-21-313
(1)(a) as of May 14, 2019.
Section 3. Section 
31A-22-307
 is amended to read:
31A-22-307.
Personal injury protection coverages and benefits.
(1) Personal injury protection coverages and benefits include:
(a) up to the minimum amount required coverage of not less than $3,000 per person,
the reasonable value of all expenses for necessary:
(i) medical services;
(ii) surgical services;
(iii) X-ray services;
(iv) dental services;
(v) rehabilitation services, including prosthetic devices;
(vi) ambulance services;
(vii) hospital services; and
(viii) nursing services;
(b) (i) the lesser of $250 per week or 85% of any loss of gross income and loss of
earning capacity per person from inability to work, for a maximum of 52 consecutive weeks
after the loss, except that this benefit need not be paid for the first three days of disability,
unless the disability continues for longer than two consecutive weeks after the date of injury;
and
(ii) a special damage allowance not exceeding $20 per day for a maximum of 365 days,
for services actually rendered or expenses reasonably incurred for services that, but for the
injury, the injured person would have performed for the injured person's household, except that
this benefit need not be paid for the first three days after the date of injury unless the person's
inability to perform these services continues for more than two consecutive weeks;
(c) funeral, burial, or cremation benefits not to exceed a total of $1,500 per person; and
(d) compensation on account of death of a person, payable to the person's heirs, in the
total of $3,000.
(2) (a) (i) To determine the reasonable value of the medical expenses provided for in
Subsection (1) and under Subsection 
31A-22-309
(1)(a)(vi), the commissioner shall conduct a
relative value study of services and accommodations for the diagnosis, care, recovery, or
rehabilitation of an injured person in the most populous county in the state to assign a unit
value and determine the 75th percentile charge for each type of service and accommodation.
(ii) The relative value study shall be updated every other year.
(iii) In conducting the relative value study, the department may consult or contract with
appropriate public and private medical and health agencies or other technical experts.
(iv) The costs and expenses incurred in conducting, maintaining, and administering the
relative value study shall be funded by the tax created under Section 
59-9-105
.
(v) Upon completion of the relative value study, the department shall prepare and
publish a relative value study which sets forth the unit value and the 75th percentile charge
assigned to each type of service and accommodation.
(b) (i) The reasonable value of any service or accommodation is determined by
applying the unit value and the 75th percentile charge assigned to the service or
accommodation under the relative value study.
(ii) If a service or accommodation is not assigned a unit value or the 75th percentile
charge under the relative value study, the value of the service or accommodation shall equal the
reasonable cost of the same or similar service or accommodation in the most populous county
of this state.
(c) This Subsection (2) does not preclude the department from adopting a schedule
already established or a schedule prepared by persons outside the department, if it meets the
requirements of this Subsection (2).
(d) Every insurer shall report to the commissioner any pattern of overcharging,
excessive treatment, or other improper actions by a health provider within 30 days after the day
on which the insurer has knowledge of the pattern.
(e) (i) In disputed cases, a court on its own motion or on the motion of either party,
may designate an impartial medical panel of not more than three licensed physicians to
examine the claimant and testify on the issue of the reasonable value of the claimant's medical
services or expenses.
(ii) An impartial medical panel designated under Subsection (2)(e)(i) shall consist of a
majority of health care professionals within the same license classification and specialty as the
provider of the claimant's medical services or expenses.
(3) Medical expenses as provided for in Subsection (1)(a) and in Subsection
31A-22-309
(1)(a)(vi) include expenses for any nonmedical remedial care and treatment
rendered in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing.
(4) The insured may waive for the named insured and the named insured's spouse only
the loss of gross income benefits of Subsection (1)(b)(i) if the insured states in writing that:
(a) within 31 days of applying for coverage, neither the insured nor the insured's spouse
received any earned income from regular employment; and
(b) for at least 180 days from the date of the writing and during the period of insurance,
neither the insured nor the insured's spouse will receive earned income from regular
employment.
(5) This section does not:
(a) prohibit the issuance of a policy of insurance providing coverages greater than the
minimum coverage required under this chapter; or
(b) require the segregation of those minimum coverages from other coverages in the
same policy.
(6) Deductibles are not permitted with respect to the insurance coverages required
under this section.
(7) (a) A person shall bring an action on a written policy or contract for personal injury
protection coverage within four years after the inception of loss.
(b) This Subsection (7) applies to a claim that is not time barred by Subsection
31A-21-313
(1)(a) as of May 3, 2023.
Section 4. Section 
78B-2-305
 is amended to read:
78B-2-305.
Within three years.
An action may be brought within three years:
(1) for waste, trespass upon, or injury to real property; except that when waste or
trespass is committed by means of underground works upon any mining claim, the cause of
action does not accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the
waste or trespass;
(2) for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific
recovery[
;
]
,
 except that
:
(a)
 in cases where the subject of the action is a domestic animal usually included in the
term "livestock," which at the time of its loss has a recorded mark or brand, if the animal
strayed or was stolen from the true owner without the owner's fault, the cause does not accrue
until the owner has actual knowledge of facts that would put a reasonable person upon inquiry
as to the possession of the animal by the defendant; 
and
(b) as provided in Subsection 
73B-2-307
(3), for a claim involving damage to personal
property from an accident involving a motor vehicle as defined in Section 
41-6a-102
, including
an accident involving a motor vehicle and bicycle, the action may be brought within four years;
(3) for relief on the ground of fraud or mistake; except that the cause of action does not
accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake;
(4) for a liability created by the statutes of this state, other than for a penalty or
forfeiture under the laws of this state, except where in special cases a different limitation is
prescribed by the statutes of this state; or
(5) to enforce liability imposed by Section 
78B-3-603
, or for damages under Section
78B-6-1701
, except that the cause of action does not accrue until the aggrieved party knows or
reasonably should know of the harm suffered.
Section 5. Section 
78B-2-307
 is amended to read:
78B-2-307.
Within four years.
An action may be brought within four years:
(1) after the last charge is made or the last payment is received:
(a) upon a contract, obligation, or liability not founded upon an instrument in writing;
(b) on an open store account for any goods, wares, or merchandise; or
(c) on an open account for work, labor or services rendered, or materials furnished;
(2) for a claim for relief or a cause of action under the following sections of Title 25,
Chapter 6, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act:
(a) Subsection 
25-6-202
(1)(a), except in specific situations where the time for action is
limited to one year under Section 
25-6-305
;
(b) Subsection 
25-6-202
(1)(b); or
(c) Subsection 
25-6-203
(1); [
and
]
(3) for a claim involving personal property damage to the aggrieved party's motor
vehicle, as defined in Section 
41-6a-102
, or personal property from an accident involving a
motor vehicle; and
[
(3)
] 
(4)
 for relief not otherwise provided for by law.