All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 8
UtahS.B. 742026 General SessionSenate
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
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Drivers get clearer insurance defense notices
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah insurers must give written answers about defending and paying claims against insured people without lawyers. The deadline is 30 days after receiving a copy of the claimant's required post-rejection notice. Insurers must say whether they agree to defend and pay any resulting verdict, judgment, settlement, or award. They must state whether payment stops at policy limits or extends beyond them. If payment stops at policy limits, insurers must explain why and identify the right to seek an independent lawyer. These disclosures do not change insurance coverage. Claimants who miss the demand or notice rules can still sue, but their failures can affect whether a demand is considered reasonable. An insurer's disclosure failure can be evidence in a later bad-faith case, but this law creates no separate right to sue. Following the procedures does not excuse unreasonable settlement, defense, or payment decisions; reasonableness depends on the facts available at the time. Existing good-faith duties, defenses, and remedies remain, with no new prerequisites for an insured person's bad-faith claim.
New notice rules for crash claims
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah sets new rules for third-party motor vehicle claims seeking an insured person's full policy limit. Claimants must give insurers at least 30 days to accept or reject a demand in exchange for releasing the claim. Demands must explain the incident, fault, injuries, and damages, with medical records, bills, and documents supporting other economic losses. Expert reports and private attorney work product are not required. After an insurer declines, claimants choosing to contact an insured person without a lawyer must send written notice and copy the insurer. The notice must reference the law, explain the claims, injuries, and planned lawsuit, and include the demand and any written insurer response. It must follow lawyer conduct rules and explain that the claimant's and lawyer's interests oppose the insured person's interests. Claimants must then wait 45 days after the insured receives notice before suing, except for steps needed to preserve legal rights. For claims above policy limits, notice must explain rights to review the full demand and supporting records with the insurer. It must also explain the right to discuss above-limit exposure with the insurer and an independent lawyer. If that notice mentions a judgment lien on personal property, it must explain the lien process in plain language.
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/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
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