33-24-41.1
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33-24-41.1.
(a)
In any instance where a claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident is covered
by two or more insurance carriers, one such carrier may tender, and the claimant
may accept, the limits of such policy; and, in the event of multiple claimants,
the settling carrier may tender, and the claimants may accept, the limits of the
policy pursuant to a written agreement between or among the claimants. Such
claimant or claimants may execute a limited release applicable to the settling
carrier and its insured based on injuries to such claimants including, without
limitation, claims for loss of consortium or loss of services asserted by any
person.
(b)
The limited release provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall:
(1)
Release the settling carrier from all liability from any claims of the claimant
or claimants based on injuries to such claimant or claimants; and
(2)
Release the insured tort-feasor covered by the policy of the settling carrier
from all personal liability from any and all claims arising from the occurrence
on which the claim is based except to the extent other insurance coverage is
available which covers such claim or claims.
(c)
No policy of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage issued in this state
after July 1, 1994, shall prohibit any claimant from settling any claim with a
liability carrier as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section or require
the permission of the uninsured or underinsured motorist carrier to so settle
any claim with the liability carrier.
(d)
The limited release of the settling carrier provided for in subsection (a) of
this Code section shall not:
(1)
Bar a claimant´s recovery against any other tort-feasor or under any other
policy of insurance or release any other insurance carrier providing applicable
coverage unless specifically provided for in such release;
(2)
Be admissible in evidence before the trier of fact in the trial of a tort
action, but the amount paid thereunder shall be admissible as provided by law as
evidence of the offset against the liability of an uninsured motorist carrier
and as evidence of the offset against any verdict of the trier of fact;
(3)
Affect any duty the settling carrier owes to its insured under its policy
including, without limitation, the duty to defend a subrogation claim brought
against its insured; or
(4)
Release the tort-feasor from personal liability to the extent that there is
other insurance in effect which covers the said claim or claims, but only to the
extent of such other insurance.
(e)
The provisions of this Code section shall not be construed so as to interfere
with the obligation of the insured to cooperate in his or her defense with the
insurance carrier as provided in the policy of insurance.
(f)
The provisions of this Code section shall not be construed to interfere with a
claimant´s right to pursue claims or an insurance company´s obligation
to pay claims based on a negligent or bad faith refusal to settle a claim or
claims; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection shall not be
construed to create any new claim not otherwise provided by law.