Rhode Island § 31-47-13 - Motor Vehicle Reparations Act

§ 31-47-13. Insurers and sureties.

(a) A finding by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or traffic tribunal, or court that a person is covered by financial responsibility in the form of an insurance policy or surety bond is not binding upon the named insurer or surety or any of its officers, employees, agents, or representatives and has no legal effect except for the purpose of administering this section.

(b) The preparation and delivery of a document authorized to be used as financial responsibility under this division does not do any of the following:

(1) Create any liability or estoppel against an insurer or surety, or any of its officers, employees, agents, or representatives;

(2) Constitute an admission of the existence of, or of any liability or coverage under, any policy or bond;

(3) Waive any defenses or counterclaims available to an insurer, surety, agent, employee, or representative in an action commenced by an insured or third party claimant upon a cause of action alleged to have arisen under an insurance policy or surety bond or by reason of the preparation and delivery of a document for use as financial responsibility.

(c) Whenever it is determined by a final judgment in a judicial proceeding that an insurer or surety, which has been named on a document accepted by a court or the administrator of the division of motor vehicles as financial responsibility covering the operation of a motor vehicle at the time of an accident or offense, is not liable to pay a judgment for injuries or damages resulting from that operation, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, notwithstanding any previous contrary finding, immediately suspend the operating privileges and registration rights of the person against whom the judgment was rendered as provided by this chapter.