Self-Insurance Qualifications for Automobile Liability Updated in Risk Financing
This release of Risk Financing features updates to
the summaries of the state
self-insurance qualifications for automobile liability.
All 50 states plus the District of Columbia permit self-insurance
for automobile liability. All 50 states also have their own statutes and
regulations governing the issue. The summaries in Appendix C provide an outline
of each state's regulations, including the following.
- State agency contact information
- Governing statutes with Web addresses if available
- Requirements for the minimum number of vehicles
- Filing instructions and fees
- Net worth and security requirements
- Requirements for excess insurance
- Special provisions
Automobile liability self-insurance offers a number of benefits such as
reduced premiums, more control over claims, and an opportunity for significant
overall costs savings. However, the regulations vary widely between states.
Complying with all of the various regulations and requirements can be a
daunting task, especially for insureds with multistate operations. For example,
some states allow self-insurance for applicants with only one vehicle, while
others will only permit it for insureds with a fleet of 26 or more. Some states
have enacted specific legislation with regard to requirements for an
applicant's net worth, while others leave financial capability decisions up
to the discretion of the agency charged with making sure vehicle owners can
meet financial responsibility requirements.
For this reason, insureds often utilize large deductible plans or fronting
arrangements. Both allow insureds opportunities for cost savings without
the additional administrative burden of complying with self-insurance requirements. Comparisons
of various types of plans are presented in the "Plan Evaluation" discussion.