TRENTON — A Senate committee advanced a bill that would make it easier for people to take their insurance companies to court after crashes with an uninsured or underinsured driver, despite warnings that it could lead to higher car insurance premiums in New Jersey.
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the legislation, S1559, after changing it to remove provisions that would have entitled successful claimants to pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and litigation expenses. They would be entitled to actual damages awarded by a jury.
“It’s even more narrowly tailored than it was before, so it really is just a matter of fundamental fairness,” said Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union.