Attorney Hastings Testifies Before Connecticut General Assembly Insurance and Real Estate Committee

Posted by Richard P. Hastings | Mar 07, 2014 | 0 Comments

Attorney Hastings Testifies Before Connecticut General Assembly Insurance and Real Estate Committee

Attorney Richard Hastings of the law firm of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP recently testified before the Connecticut General Assembly's insurance and real estate committee regarding raised Bill number 5364. The bill, entitled "an act requiring uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to be optional and concerning UIM conversion coverage." Mr. Hastings was asked to testify before this committee as a result of his experience in the areas of uninsured and underinsured motorist law in Connecticut.

The purpose of the proposed bill was to make uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage optional rather than mandatory and to require that insurance companies that write motor vehicle liability insurance policies in Connecticut provide underinsured motorist conversion coverage to uninsured at no cost if the insurance company fails to offer, or disclosed of the availability of, such coverage or fails to procure a signed informed consent form from an insured who declines such coverage. The testimony was given at the legislative office building in Hartford.

Attorney Hastings indicated that CT currently requires that any motor vehicle liability insurance policy must include uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. The purpose behind this mandatory coverage is to protect those who purchased insurance coverage in the event they are injured by negligent driver who either has no insurance coverage whatsoever or does not have sufficient limits of liability to properly compensate the injured party. Attorney Hastings advised the committee that a recent insurance Institute study indicated that 9.5% of all drivers on Connecticut roadways do not have any insurance coverage at all and to make uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage optional rather than mandatory would be incredibly bad idea as it could have a very negative effect upon an injured party's ability to obtain timely medical care and treatment and provide for the repayment of any liens that result from this care and treatment.

Attorney Hastings also testified in favor of the amendment which would require that insurance companies provide underinsured motorist conversion coverage to an insured pursuant to Connecticut Gen. statute 38a - 336a which requires an insurance company to obtain a written consent form signed by the insured if that party does not wish to have underinsured motorist conversion coverage. Currently there is no penalty in the statute for an insurance company's noncompliance with this requirement.

Mr. Hastings has recently completed a book on Connecticut insurance law. Additionally, Attorney Hastings has written 14 other books, he was a syndicated legal columnist, has helped to produce over 150 educational videos on accident and injury law in Connecticut and is a contributor to the Connecticut Law Tribune. He is AV rated by Martindale, and has been named one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Connecticut by the National Trial Lawyers. He can be reached at 888-244-5480 or by visiting the firm's website at www.hcwlaw.com

About the Author

Richard P. Hastings

Attorney Hastings concentrates his practice on personal injury and litigation. Devoted to helping those who have suffered some type of wrong, Richard P. Hastings concentrates his law practice on personal injury law.

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Sample

Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Donec sed odio dui. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Nulla vitae elit libero, a pharetra augue. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas.

Let Us Fight for You

Local Presence. Statewide Coverage.

When you choose Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP you will receive the one-on-one attention and individualized support that you deserve. Our Connecticut personal injury attorneys will not treat you as just another case number nor will we hand your case off to a paralegal.

Unlike other law firms, we will personally handle each legal aspect of your case, walking with you every step of the way. We aim to provide the highest quality representation possible. We have extensive experience and training in a variety of aspects of personal injury law. We obtain the knowledge and skill-set necessary to maximize your compensation.

Ridgefield Office
Mon: 08:30am - 05:00pm
Tue: 08:30am - 05:00pm
Wed: 08:30am - 05:00pm
Thu: 08:30am - 05:00pm
Fri: 08:30am - 05:00pm

Menu