OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5436

AN ACT CONCERNING GUIDE OR ASSISTANCE DOGS AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE.

SUMMARY:

This bill sets the replacement value of a guide or assistance dog whose death an insured motor vehicle operator causes. It specifies that, for claim settlement purposes under an auto insurance policy's property damage liability provisions, the replacement value is the cost to replace the dog with a comparably trained guide or assistance dog from the same or similar facility from which the dog that died was obtained. (A dog is already considered property for purposes of settling property damage claims. )

The bill defines “guide or assistance dog” as a dog trained to perform work or tasks directly related to a person's disability or diagnosed medical condition.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2010

COMMITTEE ACTION

Insurance and Real Estate Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute