The bill amends section 3937.18 of the Revised Code to mandate that all motor vehicle insurance policies issued in Ohio must include uninsured motorist coverage. The previous language, which stated that such coverage "may, but is not required to," has been changed to "shall," thereby making it a requirement. Additionally, while underinsured motorist coverage is still optional, the bill clarifies that it may be included but is not mandated. The bill also specifies that the definition of "uninsured motorist" has been expanded to include various conditions under which a motorist may be considered uninsured, such as lack of liability insurance or the inability to determine the identity of the motorist.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions regarding the treatment of claims under uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, including stipulations on how these coverages interact with workers' compensation benefits and the conditions under which claims must be filed. It also allows for certain exclusions and conditions related to coverage, such as limitations on stacking coverages and requirements for proving claims. The bill requires the superintendent of insurance to study the market availability and competition for these coverages and report findings to key legislative leaders. Existing section 3937.18 is repealed to implement these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3937.18