(a) Each insurer licensed to write automobile liability insurance in this state shall offer, for an additional premium, underinsured motorist conversion coverage with limits in accordance with section 38a-336. The purchase of such underinsured motorist conversion coverage shall be in lieu of underinsured motorist coverage pursuant to section 38a-336. For each new automobile liability insurance policy issued, the insurer shall disclose to an insured at the time of sale or issuance the availability of, the premium cost and a description of underinsured motorist conversion coverage. Such description of coverage shall be included in a conspicuous manner with the informed consent form specified in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 38a-336.
(b) Such underinsured motorist conversion coverage shall provide for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of underinsured motor vehicles.
(c) Each insurer shall be obligated to pay to the insured, up to the limits of the policy's underinsured motorist conversion coverage, after the limits of liability under all bodily injury liability bonds or insurance policies applicable at the time of the accident have been exhausted by payment of judgments or settlements. If the insured purchases such underinsured motorist conversion coverage, then in no event shall the underinsured motorist coverage be reduced on account of any payment by or on behalf of the tortfeasor or by any third party.
(d) The selection of coverage under this section shall apply to all subsequent renewals of coverage and to all policies or endorsements which extend, change, supersede or replace an existing policy issued to the named insured, unless changed in writing by any named insured.
(e) For purposes of this section, an “underinsured motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle with respect to which the sum of all payments received by or on behalf of the covered person from or on behalf of the tortfeasor are less than the fair, just and reasonable damages of the covered person.
(P.A. 93-297, S. 2, 29; P.A. 94-243, S. 5, 6; P.A. 96-180, S. 121, 166; 96-227, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 69, 121; P.A. 09-72, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 93-297 effective January 1, 1994, and applicable to acts or omissions occurring on or after said date; P.A. 94-243 amended Subsec. (c) by requiring each insurer to be obligated to pay to the insured, up to the limits of the policy's underinsured motorist conversion coverage, after the limits of liability under all bodily injury liability bonds or insurance coverage applicable at the time of the accident have been exhausted by payment of judgments or settlements, amended Subsec. (e) by redefining “underinsured motor vehicle” and added Subsec. (f) making provisions of this section applicable to all new and renewal policies issued on or after January 1, 1994, effective June 7, 1994; P.A. 96-180 and P.A. 96-227 both amended Subsec. (e) to make technical change restoring language inadvertently omitted from the 1995 revision, effective June 3, 1996; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 09-72 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re disclosure of underinsured motorist conversion coverage at time of sale or issuance of new automobile liability insurance policy, made a technical change in Subsec. (b) and deleted former Subsec. (f) re application of section, effective January 1, 2010.
Cited. 236 C. 299. Court adopted trial court's determination concerning policy definition of an underinsured motor vehicle. 245 C. 546.
Plaintiff could not collect conversion benefits on vehicle owned by him because of policy provision excluding coverage for vehicles owned by insured. 45 CS 355.
Subsec. (c):
Whether policy for leased vehicle applicable at time of accident depends on whether driver authorized to drive vehicle under terms of lease. 121 CA 597.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 700 - Property and Casualty Insurance
Section 38a-305. (Formerly Sec. 38-107). - Additional powers of fire insurance companies.
Section 38a-307. (Formerly Sec. 38-98). - Standard form.
Section 38a-308. (Formerly Sec. 38-99). - Provisions of policy or contract.
Section 38a-310. (Formerly Sec. 38-101). - Combination standard form of fire insurance policy.
Section 38a-312. (Formerly Sec. 38-103). - Renewal certificates.
Section 38a-313. (Formerly Sec. 38-104). - Replacement insurance.
Section 38a-313b. - Coverage for perishable food donated by certain food establishments.
Section 38a-314. (Formerly Sec. 38-105). - Conditions to be stated in body of policy.
Section 38a-315. (Formerly Sec. 38-106). - Form of policies in other states.
Section 38a-316. (Formerly Sec. 38-114). - Premium notes subject to set-off.
Section 38a-316e. - Matching of adjacent items under real property covered loss.
Section 38a-316f. - Flood insurance coverage offering.
Section 38a-316g. - Cancellation of homeowners insurance policies. Notice refund of excess premium.
Section 38a-317. (Formerly Sec. 38-114g). - Owner of mobile home eligible for homeowners policy.
Section 38a-321. (Formerly Sec. 38-175). - Liability of insurer under liability policy.
Section 38a-322. (Formerly Sec. 38-185v). - Binders for personal and commercial risk insurance.
Section 38a-322a. - Certificate of insurance. Prohibitions. Investigation.
Section 38a-323c. - Notice of late fee amount and applicability re personal risk insurance policies.
Section 38a-327. (Formerly Sec. 38-17a). - Regulations on claims-made policies.
Section 38a-330. - Transfer of policy to affiliate due to merger or acquisition. Notice.
Section 38a-331. - Healthy Homes Fund. Surcharge.
Section 38a-334. (Formerly Sec. 38-175a). - Minimum provisions in automobile liability policies.
Section 38a-335a. - Disclosure of automobile insurance policy limits.
Section 38a-336. (Formerly Sec. 38-175c). - Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Section 38a-336a. - Underinsured motorist conversion coverage.
Section 38a-336b. - Subrogation against owner or operator of underinsured motor vehicle prohibited.
Section 38a-336c. - Claims for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits.
Section 38a-337. (Formerly Sec. 14-130). - Apportionment of risks.
Section 38a-340. (Formerly Sec. 38-175e). - Binders, renewal endorsements and evidences of renewal.
Section 38a-342. (Formerly Sec. 38-175g). - Bases for cancellation.
Section 38a-344. (Formerly Sec. 38-175j). - Proof of notice.
Section 38a-345. (Formerly Sec. 38-175k). - Notice of possible eligibility for assigned risk plan.
Section 38a-346. (Formerly Sec. 38-175l). - Liability of persons furnishing information to insured.
Section 38a-351a. - Collision deductible included in subrogation demand.
Section 38a-363. (Formerly Sec. 38-319). - Definitions.
Section 38a-370. (Formerly Sec. 38-326). - Residual liability insurance.
Section 38a-371. (Formerly Sec. 38-327). - Mandatory security requirements.
Section 38a-379. (Formerly Sec. 38-335). - Civil action to enforce rights and obligations.
Section 38a-385. (Formerly Sec. 38-341). - Assigned risk plan.
Section 38a-388. (Formerly Sec. 38-350). - Conflict with chapters 246, 247, 248.
Section 38a-389. - Filing of rates to reflect premium savings. Prior rate approval.
Section 38a-397. - Portable electronics insurance.
Section 38a-398. - Travel Insurance.
Section 38a-398a. - Travel insurance and suicide. Prohibition on coverage exclusion.