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Sen. Shields Helps Champion Insurance Accountability Bill to Passage in Senate

SB 411 puts injured Oregonians ahead of insurance companies
February 26, 2015

Salem, OR - The Oregon State Senate passed legislation today strengthening consumer protections in Oregon's auto insurance laws. Senate Bill 411 will put injured drivers ahead of insurance companies by changing state laws on uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection coverage.

"It's time we put the interests of victims ahead of the interests of insurance companies," said Sen. Chip Shields (D-Portland) said on the floor. "It is about making sure injured Oregonians get adequate coverage on insurance policies that they have paid premiums on for years."

SB 411 contains two main provisions. The first allows injured motorists to add their uninsured motorist coverage on top of the at-fault driver's liability coverage so that injured consumers get the coverage for which they paid. This change in law would put Oregon on the same page as Washington and more than half of other states in the U.S.

The second provision addresses Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Currently, a policyholder's PIP coverage is repaid to the insurance company before the injured party is paid total damages. SB 411 allows the injured motorist to recover their total damages first. This legislative change will put Oregon in line with 38 other states.

Legislation similar to SB 411 has been introduced for several sessions, including a 2013 bill that failed on the senate floor on a 15-15 vote. The version approved today also includes a slight but important modification that extends PIP coverage for medical bills following an accident from one year to two years.

"Senate Democrats' promise to fight for Oregonians is at the forefront of our 2015 legislative agenda," said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). "We are committed to putting the interests of Oregonians first."

SB 411 will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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