• This bill is based on the story of a local news anchor's personal comeback from a tragic boating accident, but the proposed change to Minnesota's insurance laws is misguided and would cause alarming consequences. 

• Liability insurance generally provides coverage to the insured for injury or damage the insured causes to other persons or property. For example, the liability coverage in a boat insurance policy covers damage you cause to other boats, injuries you cause to other people on boats or in the water, damage you cause to a dock or a marina, etc.  However, across the country, and in Minnesota, a very common exclusion in the policy excludes liability coverage for injuries you cause to family members that live with you. 

• Most standard liability insurance policies exclude coverage for injuries to resident relatives who live together in the same house.  The reasoning is simple.  If you allow relatives to sue each other for the proceeds of a liability insurance policy, there's a strong incentive to commit fraud.  Under this proposal, the number of questionable claims will likely rise dramatically. 

• Most other states recognize the negative aspects of allowing resident relatives to sue each other, which is why only one state legislature in the U.S. has allowed them. 

• Minnesota courts have long upheld family exclusions in insurance policies. 

• Most standard liability insurance policies exclude coverage for injuries to resident relatives who live together in the same house.  The reasoning is simple.  If you allow relatives to sue each other for the proceeds of a liability insurance policy, there's a strong incentive to commit fraud.  Under this proposal, the number of questionable claims will likely rise dramatically.