Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
If the insurer determines the insured vehicle to be a total
loss, and the insurance policy provides for the adjustment and settlement of
first party vehicle claims on the basis of actual cash value or replacement,
the insurer may elect to pay a cash equivalent settlement or replace the
insured vehicle. The insurer shall use one of the following methods:
(a) Cash Equivalent Method. The insurer may
elect to pay a cash equivalent settlement based upon the actual cost less any
deductible provided in the policy, to purchase a comparable automobile by the
same manufacturer, same model year, with similar body style, similar options
and mileage, including all applicable taxes, license fees and other fees
incident to the transfer of ownership of a comparable automobile. The amount
payable on taxes, license fees, and transfer fees shall be limited to the
amount that would have been paid on the totaled, insured vehicle at the time of
settlement. Such cost shall be based on one or more of the following methods:
1. The cost of two or more comparable
automobiles in the local market area, defined in this subsection as fifty (50)
miles from the county seat where the insured vehicle was principally garaged,
when comparable automobiles are available or were available within the last
thirty (30) days to consumers in the local market area. These sources may
include dealer's sales price, any established printed automobile sales
publication or newspaper.
2. The
cost of two (2) or more comparable automobiles in areas proximate to the local
market area defined in this subsection as 100 miles from the county seat where
the insured vehicle was principally garaged, including the closest major
metropolitan area within or without the state, that are available or were
available within the last thirty (30) days to consumers when comparable
automobiles are not available in subparagraph (a)1. above. These sources shall
include the same as in subparagraph (a)1. above.
3. One of two or more quotations obtained by
the insurer from two or more licensed dealers located within the local market
area defined in this subparagraph as 50 miles from the county seat where the
insured vehicle was principally garaged, when the cost of comparable
automobiles are not available in subparagraphs (a)1. and 2. above.
4. Any source for determining statistically
valid fair market values that meet all of the following criteria which may be
in electronic or printed format:
(i) The
source shall give primary consideration to the values of vehicles in the local
market area, or may consider data on vehicles outside the area when comparable
vehicles have not been available for data collection in the local market
area.
(ii) The source's database
shall produce values for at least 85% of all makes and models for at least the
last fifteen (15) model years, taking into account the values of all major
options for such vehicles.
(iii)
The source shall produce fair market values based on current data available
from the area surrounding the location where the insured vehicle was
principally garaged or a necessary expansion of parameters (such as time and
area) to assure statistical validity.
(b) Replacement Vehicle Method. The insurer
may elect to replace the insured vehicle, including all applicable taxes,
license fees, and other fees necessary to transfer ownership. The following
requirements and standards shall apply if the insurer elects the replacement
vehicle method:
1. The replacement vehicle
must be comparable to the insured vehicle in that it is the same manufacturer
model, same or newer model year, similar body style, similar options and
mileage as the insured vehicle and in good overall condition.
2. The replacement vehicle shall be available
for inspection by the insured within fifty (50) miles of the insured's
residence or further if agreeable to the insured.
3. The insurer's claim file shall contain a
full description of the replacement vehicle, including, but not limited to, the
vehicle identification number and the schedule of options.
4. A replacement vehicle of the same or newer
model year must be available for purchase through a licensed dealer or through
an established printed sales publication.
5. In the event that a replacement vehicle
meeting the requirements in subparagraphs 1. through 4. above is not available,
the cash equivalent method should be used.
6. If the insured rejects a replacement
vehicle, the option to replace the insured vehicle may not be exercised. The
rejection shall be documented in the claim file. The insurer need only pay the
amount it would have otherwise paid if the insured had accepted the replacement
vehicle, including the applicable taxes, license fees, or other fees to
transfer ownership.
7. If the
insured selects another vehicle substantially similar in value, the insurer may
either replace the insured vehicle with this substitute, or only pay the amount
it would have otherwise paid if the insured had accepted the replacement
vehicle, including the applicable taxes, license fees or other fees to transfer
ownership.
O.C.G.A. Secs.
33-2-9,
33-34-8.