2019 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
Chapter 23 - Motor Vehicle Carriers
Section 58-23-1630. Primary automobile insurance; proof of coverage.
(A) A TNC driver or TNC on the driver's behalf shall maintain primary automobile insurance that recognizes that the driver is a TNC driver or otherwise uses a personal vehicle to transport riders for compensation and covers the driver:
(1) while the driver is logged on the TNC's digital network; or
(2) while the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride.
(B) The following automobile insurance requirements apply while a participating TNC driver is logged on the TNC's digital network and is available to receive transportation requests but is not engaged in a prearranged ride:
(1) primary automobile liability insurance in the amount of at least fifty thousand dollars for death and bodily injury per person, at least one hundred thousand dollars for death and bodily injury per incident, and at least fifty thousand dollars for property damage;
(2) uninsured motorist coverage as required by Section 38-77-150; and
(3) the coverage requirements of this subsection may be satisfied by automobile insurance maintained by the TNC driver, automobile insurance maintained by the TNC, or both.
(C) The following automobile insurance requirements apply while a TNC driver is engaged in a prearranged ride:
(1) primary automobile liability insurance that provides at least one million dollars for death, bodily injury, and property damage;
(2) uninsured motorist coverage as required by Section 38-77-150; and
(3) the coverage requirements of this subsection may be satisfied by automobile insurance maintained by the TNC driver, automobile insurance maintained by the TNC, or both.
(D) If insurance maintained by the TNC driver in subsections (B) or (C) has lapsed or does not provide the required coverage, insurance maintained by a TNC must provide the coverage required by this section beginning with the first dollar of a claim and has the duty to defend such claim.
(E) Coverage under an automobile insurance policy maintained by the TNC may not be dependent upon a personal automobile insurer first denying a claim nor may a personal automobile insurer be required to first deny the claim.
(F) Insurance required by this section may be placed with an authorized insurer or with an eligible surplus lines insurer pursuant to Section 38-45-90.
(G) Insurance satisfying the requirements of this section may be considered to satisfy the financial responsibility requirements for a motor vehicle pursuant to Sections 56-9-10 through 56-9-630.
(H) A TNC driver shall carry proof of coverage satisfying subsections (B) and (C) at all times during use of a vehicle in connection with a TNC's digital network. In the event of an accident, a TNC driver shall provide this insurance coverage to the directly interested parties, automobile insurers, and the investigating police officers, upon request, pursuant to Section 56-10-225. Upon such request, a TNC driver shall also disclose to directly interested parties, automobile insurers, and the investigating police officers, whether he was logged on the TNC's digital network or on a prearranged ride at the time of an accident.
(I) If a TNC's insurer pays a claim covered under comprehensive coverage or collision coverage, the TNC shall cause its insurer to issue the payment directly to the business repairing the vehicle or jointly to the owner of the vehicle and the primary lienholder on the covered vehicle. The Office of Regulatory Staff shall not assess any fines as a result of a violation of this subsection.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 88 (H.3525), Section 1, eff June 24, 2015.
