PORTLAND, Maine — The United Motorcoach Association Board of Directors reviewed challenges facing the bus and motorcoach industry during its meeting here last week and voted to create a special insurance and tort reform task force.
“Insurance costs are the number one issue I hear from operators across the country,” explained UMA President and CEO Scott Michael. “The Board recognized that tort reform needs to be a key component of helping control insurance rates.”
Board members discussed the need to collaborate with other organizations working to address rising insurance costs, including national associations such as the American Bus Association and the National Limousine Association, as well as state and regional groups.
Additional perspective on the issue came from Region IV Board Member Shawn Geary of McCoy Bus Service, who reported that insurance costs in Canada are significantly lower and, in some cases, declining.
“The legal system in Canada is very different,” said Ken Presley, UMA vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs and industry relations and chief operating officer. “They don’t have billboards up everywhere with advertisements for trial lawyers promising accident victims massive payouts for exaggerated injuries.”
The board acknowledged that efforts to address insurance costs through tort reform will likely be a lengthy process requiring action on a state-by-state basis.
