Vermont legislator Damon Barkley (Democrat) has proposed the Vermont Auto Insurance Fairness Act. This legislation would ensure that Vermont residents get the full auto insurance coverage they pay for and stops insurance companies from reducing or reclaiming benefits after an accident. Right now, Vermont residents often don’t receive the full amount of underinsured motorist coverage they purchased. Insurance companies can reduce your underinsured motorist benefits by subtracting what the at-fault driver’s insurer pays. This practice leaves many injured residents under-compensated, even if they paid for higher coverage. “If you pay for $100,000 of underinsured coverage, you should actually get $100,000 and not whatever is left after the other driver’s insurance pays out," Barkley said. Under current law, insurers can demand reimbursement for medical payments they made after a crash, often taken out of a victim’s settlement. This legislation will end that practice. “If your insurer pays your medical bills, they shouldn’t turn around and take money from your settlement to pay themselves back," Barkley said. Barkley hopes this legislation will get consideration by the unicameral state legislature. “This is a consumer fairness bill. Vermont residents should get the coverage they pay for, without hidden reductions or clawbacks," Barkley said.