17:29A-34 Intent and purpose of act.

2. It is the intent and purpose of this act:

a. To require each insurer to apply on a flat and uniform fee basis per insured automobile Statewide its miscellaneous taxes, licenses, fees and at least 90% of its general expenses and acquisition, field supervision, and collection expense portions of the premium, excluding commissions.

b. To require that each insurer flatten the tax portion of the automobile insurance premium paid pursuant to P.L.1945, c.132 (C.54:18A-1 et seq.) and certain assessments made pursuant to sections 4, 6 and 7 of P.L.1952, c.174 (C.39:6-64, 39:6-66 and 39:6-67) on a flat uniform fee basis per insured automobile Statewide.

c. To establish the New Jersey Merit Rating Plan for convictions for motor vehicle violations and an accident surcharge system for motor vehicles, based on criteria set forth in this act.

d. To require that automobile insurance rates charged any insured shall not exceed certain average rates, as determined in the act.

e. To provide that every senior citizen will receive the benefit of at least a 5% rate reduction as a result of this act.

f. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1984, c.1.)

g. To establish a time guideline to assist in speeding the rate review process for all property and casualty lines, including automobile insurance, and to provide that a filing shall be deemed approved unless disapproved by the commissioner within the specified time.

h. To provide for higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage, an increase in uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured motorist coverage for private passenger automobile insurance.

i. To provide the funds necessary to modernize the operations and improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission so as to permit the commission to discharge its statutory obligations relating to the automobile insurance system.

j. To provide by the enactment of all these reforms that automobile insurance will be affordable, available, and more equitable to the motorists of this State.

L.1983, c.65, s.2; amended 1984, c.1, s.4; 2007, c.39, s.26.