Auto Insurance Changes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Some Alabama motorists might need to buy
more auto liability insurance in a few months.
Governor Bob Riley says he intends to sign legislation raising
Alabama's minimum insurance requirements for the first time in 25
years.
The Legislature approved a bill May 8 that would raise Alabama's
minimum limits for mandatory auto liability insurance.
The bill is a compromise between plaintiff lawyers and insurance
companies and raises limits that haven't been changed since 1983.
It was sponsored by Democratic Russellville Senator Roger
Bedford who says the changes are long overdue to protect motorists
who are hit in traffic accidents.
The Legislature passed a similar bill last year, but the
governor vetoed it because it would have taken effect immediately
and insurance companies wouldn't have time to adjust.
Bedford and Democratic Grove Hill Representative Marc Keahey
redesigned the new bill so it will take effect in three months for
new policies and six months for renewals.