This bill amends existing automobile insurance laws in New Jersey to prohibit insurance policies from disclaiming uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when the insured is operating, maintaining, or using a vehicle owned by their employer for business purposes. The new legal language specifies that this prohibition applies even if the insured regularly uses the employer's vehicle. This change aims to ensure that individuals are not denied coverage in situations where they are injured in accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers while using their employer's vehicle.

The bill is a response to several court cases, including Venters v. Selected Risks Insurance Company, Edouard v. GEICO, and Siemietkoski v. Velasquez-Flores, which have allowed insurers to deny coverage in similar circumstances. By enacting this legislation, the intent is to protect insured individuals from losing their right to recover damages under their uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when involved in accidents while using their employer's vehicle. The bill will take effect immediately and apply to automobile insurance policies issued or renewed after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:28-1.1