All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 8
UtahS.B. 742026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Motor Vehicle Civil Action Amendments
Sponsored By: Calvin R. Musselman (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Motor Vehicle InsuranceJudicial OperationsMotor VehiclesTransportationCivil Litigation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Insurer must disclose defense and payment
Beginning May 6, 2026, within 30 days after getting the required copy, the insurer must tell the insured in writing whether it will defend them and whether it will pay. The notice must say if payment is limited to policy limits or could cover amounts above, and if limited, explain why and inform the insured about the right to seek independent counsel. This disclosure only clarifies the insurer’s position and does not change the policy’s coverage.
Protections for unrepresented insured drivers
Beginning May 6, 2026, if a claimant plans to sue after the insurer declines policy limits and writes to an unrepresented insured, the letter must be in writing and copied to the insurer. It must explain the claim and injuries in plain words, include the demand and insurer response, note adverse interests, and state the action planned. The claimant must wait 45 days after the insured receives the letter before filing, unless earlier filing is needed to preserve rights. If seeking more than policy limits, the letter must also explain the insured’s rights to review records with the insurer, discuss excess exposure with the insurer and independent counsel, and, if a lien is mentioned, how a judgment lien works.
Rules for policy-limit demand letters
Beginning May 6, 2026, a policy-limit demand must include the incident facts, injuries, why the insured is liable, and itemized damages. It must attach medical records and bills and proof of other economic losses. The insurer gets at least 30 days to accept or reject. Expert reports and attorney work product are not required.
Courts can still review bad faith
Beginning May 6, 2026, following these procedures does not shield an insurer from a bad-faith finding. Courts judge if settlement, defense, or payment decisions were reasonable based on facts known at the time. A claimant’s failure to follow the demand or notice rules does not block a lawsuit, but a court may weigh it when judging reasonableness. An insurer’s failure to make required disclosures is not its own claim, but it may be evidence of bad faith. This law does not create a new private right to sue or add hurdles to existing bad-faith claims.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Calvin R. Musselman
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Anthony E. Loubet
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 1
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/2/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 2/17/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/17/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ circled
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/2/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/2/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/2/2026House/ to standing committee
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/25/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/25/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #3
2/24/2026
Substitute #2
2/11/2026
Substitute #1
1/27/2026
Introduced
1/5/2026
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