Bill Caption

Relating to named driver insurance policies and certain related exclusions.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

A named driver policy provides coverage only for the drivers specifically named on the policy and does not cover individuals that live in the same household as that policyholder. HB 335 would prohibit auto insurance companies from issuing or renewing named driver policies. However, this legislation would allow insurers to use a named driver exclusion if that policy specifically names each driver that would not be covered. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

In the 83rd legislative session, the legislature attempted to prohibit named driver policies or at least amend the statutes by adding more regulation over this type of insurance policy. Although we opposed SB 1567 in the 83rd session, it passed and became law. That legislation increased regulations to address issues and concerns with named driver policies.

We oppose HB 335 because it would represent a clear overregulation of the insurance industry by prohibiting named driver policies. Even if a named driver exclusion is used, which involves a plan that specifically names those drivers that are excluded from the policy, it would basically address the same concerns that have already been resolved in the 83rd session with SB 1567.

Ultimately, the unintended consequences of this legislation would prevent poorer people from being able to afford car insurance because named driver policies are generally the cheaper option. This means that there would be an estimated increase of 1.5 million of non-insured motorists in Texas.

For these reasons above, this legislation would violate our free market principle since it would limit auto insurance options for consumers and increase the number of non-insured drivers because of it.

The concerns regarding named driver policies in the 83rd session have unnecessarily carried over into the 84th session because legislation in the 83rd has already addressed those issues.  Moreover, people with these concerns forget that a person who is involved in an accident with a non-insured driver is protected through collision coverage, non-insured motorist coverage, as well as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. In other words, an insured driver is typically covered regardless if the other driver is non-insured.