Okla. May Get 'No Pay, No Play' Auto Insurance Law

[The Straight Story]

Okla. May Get 'No Pay, No Play' Auto Insurance Law

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma may join neighboring Kansas by approving and signing into law "no pay, no play" legislation that would limit the recovery rights of motorists who are not in compliance with the state's compulsory insurance laws at the time of an accident.

OnlineAutoInsurance.com says that "no pay, no play" laws only add to the already strong argument that motorists across the country need to get insured before getting behind the wheel.

"No pay, no play" laws make it so that drivers who are not covered by a car insurance policy at the time of an accident can only successfully recover property damage repair costs, medical costs and compensation for loss of income that are the result of an accident caused by another driver. Current law allows motorists — including uninsured ones — to recover pain and suffering awards, a practice that the legislation would stop.

Commissioner John Doak publicly announced his endorsement of the legislation last Wednesday after the senate passed the bill with an eight-vote margin. Doak said the law would help temper the uninsured-motorist problem — an estimated one-quarter of Oklahomans on the road lacked coverage in 2009 — and increase the availability of affordable car insurance in the state.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/okla-may-get-no-pay-no-play-auto-insurance-law-122437908.html

[AngryAmish]

1. It would be good for my business but it is unfair to the poor

[Lance_Boyle]

2. Could they then get rid of mandatory 'uninsured motorist' coverage?

The free-rider problem in auto insurance is real.

[bluestateguy]

3. As a philosophical matter I believe driving a car and having a license is a privilege, not a right

and the laws should reflect that principle.

[denverbill]

4. I don't know why 'pay at the pump' isn't considered an option.

Just slap a tax on gasoline to force basic coverage on everyone.