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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
S. 432
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Alexander
Document Path: l:\s-res\tca\011liab.kmm.tca.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 12, 2021
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary
Summary: Defense costs
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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1/12/2021 Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 309)
1/12/2021 Senate Referred to Committee on Banking and Insurance
(Senate Journal-page 309)
3/24/2021 Senate Committee report: Favorable Banking and Insurance
(Senate Journal-page 9)
5/11/2021 Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 17)
5/11/2021 Senate Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-4 (Senate Journal-page 17)
3/3/2022 Senate Recalled from Committee on Banking and Insurance
3/3/2022 Senate Committed to Committee on Judiciary
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 24, 2021
S. 432
S. Printed 3/24/21--S.
Read the first time January 12, 2021.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 432) to amend Article 1, Chapter 59, Title 38 of the 1976 Code, relating to claims practices, by adding Section 38-59-60, to allow for contributions, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
RONNIE W. CROMER for Committee.
TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 59, TITLE 38 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CLAIMS PRACTICES, BY ADDING SECTION 38-59-60, TO ALLOW FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DEFENSE COSTS FOR THE SAME CLAIM, SUIT, OR ACTION AMONG MORE THAN ONE LIABILITY INSURER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 59, Title 38 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 38-59-60. (A) A liability insurer owing a duty to defend an insured, and that defends the insured against a claim, suit, or other action, has a right of contribution for defense costs against any other liability insurer owing a duty to defend the insured against the same claim, suit, or other action, provided that contributions may not be sought from any liability insurer for defense costs that are incurred before the liability insurer receives notice of the claim, suit, or other action.
(B) A court shall allocate defense costs among insurers owing a duty to defend the insured against the same claim, suit, or other action, in accordance with the terms of the liability insurance policies. If defense costs are not otherwise in conflict with the terms of the insurance policies, then the court may use such equitable factors as the court determines appropriate in making the allocation.
(C) This section is not intended to alter any terms of a liability insurance policy or to create any additional duty on the part of a liability insurer to an insured. An insured may not rely on this section as grounds for a complaint against a liability insurer.
(D) A liability insurer entitled to contribution from another liability insurer under this section may file an action for contribution in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(E) This section applies to liability insurance policies issued for delivery in this State, to include surplus lines insurance policies."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on March 3, 2022 at 1:03 PM