[§431:10C-122]  Payment of general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee on third-party claims.  (a)  When a motor vehicle insurer settles a total loss motor vehicle damage liability claim with a third-party claimant, the insurer shall pay the applicable general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee, subject to § 663-31; provided that if the third-party claimant cannot substantiate the purchase and the payment of the general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee by submitting to the insurer appropriate documentation within thirty-three days after the receipt of settlement, the insurer shall not be required to reimburse the third-party claimant for the tax or fee.

     (b)  In lieu of the procedure in subsection (a), the insurer may directly pay the required general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee to the third-party claimant at the time of settlement.

     (c)  An insurer’s obligation to reimburse a third-party claimant for the applicable general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee as set forth in this section shall be subject to the property damage liability limit of the policy.