South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 77 - Automobile Insurance
Section 38-77-350. Form to be used when optional coverages are offered.

(A) The director or his designee shall approve a form that automobile insurers shall use in offering optional coverages required to be offered pursuant to law to applicants for automobile insurance policies. This form must be used by insurers for all new applicants. The form, at a minimum, must provide for each optional coverage required to be offered:
(1) a brief and concise explanation of the coverage;
(2) a list of available limits and the range of premiums for the limits;
(3) a space to mark whether the insured chooses to accept or reject the coverage and a space to state the limits of coverage the insured desires;
(4) a space for the insured to sign the form that acknowledges that the insured has been offered the optional coverages;
(5) the mailing address and telephone number of the insurance department that the applicant may contact if the applicant has questions that the insurance agent is unable to answer.
(B) If this form is signed by the named insured, after it has been completed by an insurance producer or a representative of the insurer, it is conclusively presumed that there was an informed, knowing selection of coverage and neither the insurance company nor an insurance agent is liable to the named insured or another insured under the policy for the insured's failure to purchase optional coverage or higher limits.
(C) An automobile insurer is not required to make a new offer of coverage on any automobile insurance policy which renews, extends, changes, supersedes, or replaces an existing policy.
(D) Compliance with this section satisfies the insurer and agent's duty to explain and offer optional coverages and higher limits and no person, including, but not limited to, an insurer and insurance agent is liable in an action for damages on account of the selection or rejection made by the named insured.
(E) If the insured fails or refuses to return an executed offer form within thirty days to the insurer, the insurer shall add on uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverages with the same policy limits as the insured's liability limits.
HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 148, Section 22; 1994 Act No. 496, Section 2; 1997 Act No. 154, Section 15; 2006 Act No. 395, Section 1, eff June 14, 2006.

Editor's Note
2013 Act No. 47, Section 5, provides as follows:
"SECTION 5. An automobile liability insurer is not required to make a new offer of coverage or obtain a new prescribed form on any automobile insurance policy, within the contemplation of Section 38-77-350, to comply with statutory changes to the minimum required limits set forth in Section 38-77-140 and Section 38-77-150."

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 38 - Insurance

Chapter 77 - Automobile Insurance

Section 38-77-10. Declaration of purpose.

Section 38-77-20. Construction.

Section 38-77-30. Definitions.

Section 38-77-112. Automobile insurers not required to write coverage for automobile insurance for any applicants or existing policyholders.

Section 38-77-113. Conditions for waiver of license reinstatement fee.

Section 38-77-114. Review and reports on impact of repeal of antirebate laws concerning sale of automobile insurance.

Section 38-77-120. Requirements for notice of cancellation of or refusal to renew policy.

Section 38-77-121. Application for original issuance of policy of insurance covering liability; cancellation notice; disclosure of previous cancellation or refusal to renew.

Section 38-77-122. Insurers and agents prohibited from refusing to issue automobile insurance policies due to certain factors; prohibited factors for premium rates.

Section 38-77-123. Insurers and agents prohibited from refusing to renew automobile insurance policies due to certain factors; cancellation restrictions; penalties for violations.

Section 38-77-124. Refusal to issue or renew automobile insurance policy on basis of location of residence.

Section 38-77-125. Name, address, and telephone number of insurance company must be stated or provided.

Section 38-77-126. Disclosure where rate level higher than lowest tier for that insurer or group.

Section 38-77-127. Insurer may issue verification of coverage electronically.

Section 38-77-130. Group automobile insurance; rate.

Section 38-77-140. Bodily injury and property damage limits; general requirements.

Section 38-77-141. Required notice to be attached to new policy or original premium notice of insurance covering liability regarding insurance premiums.

Section 38-77-142. Policies or contracts of bodily injury or property damage liability insurance covering liability; required provisions.

Section 38-77-143. Maintenance, selling, etc. policies and contracts to be primary.

Section 38-77-144. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage not mandated.

Section 38-77-150. Uninsured motorist provision; defense of action by insurer; subrogation and assignment of benefits.

Section 38-77-151. Collected funds to be placed in Uninsured Motorists Fund; use of funds.

Section 38-77-154. Department of Insurance to supervise and control Uninsured Motorists Fund; purpose of fund.

Section 38-77-155. Distribution of funds; obtaining premium information.

Section 38-77-160. Additional uninsured motorist coverage; underinsured motorist coverage.

Section 38-77-161. Uninsured or underinsured coverage not required in excess or umbrella policy.

Section 38-77-170. Conditions to sue or recover under uninsured motorist provision when owner or operator of motor vehicle causing injury or damage is unknown.

Section 38-77-180. "John Doe" actions against unknown defendant; service of process and defense by insurer; action against or joinder of identified owner or operator.

Section 38-77-190. Subrogation of insurer who pays claim under uninsured motorist provision to rights of insured.

Section 38-77-200. Arbitration clause prohibited in uninsured motorist provision; requirements on insured; action and employment of counsel by insured.

Section 38-77-210. Uninsured motorist provision not required to cover property damages paid to insured.

Section 38-77-220. Additional liability which automobile insurance policy need not cover.

Section 38-77-230. Certain payments under automobile insurance policy are not to be construed as admission or recognition of liability.

Section 38-77-250. Release of coverage information upon written request of claimant's attorney; confidentiality.

Section 38-77-260. General release, assignment of claims, and like documents.

Section 38-77-270. Christian Science or any licensed healing art care and treatment.

Section 38-77-280. Collision coverage; comprehensive coverage.

Section 38-77-320. Enforcement of article; promulgation of regulations.

Section 38-77-330. Denial of claim or of delay of payment; payments due immediately; consequences of unnecessary delay.

Section 38-77-340. Agreement to exclude designated natural person from coverage.

Section 38-77-341. Unfair trade practices.

Section 38-77-350. Form to be used when optional coverages are offered.

Section 38-77-370. Obligations of insurance-support organizations; access to personal information.

Section 38-77-390. Written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal; request for reasons for cancellation or nonrenewal.

Section 38-77-395. Absence of liability or cause of action in certain situations; exceptions.

Section 38-77-400. Underwriting restrictions provided upon request of director.

Section 38-77-710. Appointment of attorneys as arbitrators to hear and determine property damage liability claims; process and procedure.

Section 38-77-720. Number, qualifications, and compensation of arbitrators; fee paid by claimant.

Section 38-77-730. Request for arbitration; no formal pleading and process; arbitration docket; filing of claim; service of summons to defendant.

Section 38-77-740. Hearing; notice to parties; damages to be awarded; securing attendance of witnesses.

Section 38-77-750. Enforcement of subpoenas; warrant to produce witnesses; certification of records.

Section 38-77-760. Decision of arbitrators.

Section 38-77-770. Right to appeal decision; procedures.

Section 38-77-810. Promulgation of standards for assignment of risks to insurance carriers and servicing carriers; establishment of Associated Auto Insurers Plan.

Section 38-77-820. Application to have risk assigned to insurance carrier licenses to write motor vehicle liability insurance.

Section 38-77-830. Assigned Risk Pool.

Section 38-77-840. Powers of director.

Section 38-77-841. Information to be supplied by Associated Auto Insurers Plan producers.

Section 38-77-845. Review of applications.

Section 38-77-850. Confidentiality of information filed with director.

Section 38-77-860. Disclosure of reasons for director's decisions not required; liability.

Section 38-77-870. Availability of assignment of risks provisions to nonresidents and personnel of the Armed Forces.

Section 38-77-880. Availability of assignment of risks provisions to carriers legally required to carry public liability and property damage insurance.

Section 38-77-1110. Short title.

Section 38-77-1120. Definitions.

Section 38-77-1130. Provision to authorized agencies, by insurance companies, of information regarding motor vehicle theft or motor vehicle insurance fraud; release of information by authorized agencies; immunity from liability.

Section 38-77-1140. Requirement that information be held in confidence until release is required; obligation of authorized agency, and its agents and employees, to testify.

Section 38-77-1150. Prohibitions relative to disclosure or nondisclosure of information.

Section 38-77-1160. Violations and penalties.