(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a motor vehicle dealer‘s license, new recreational vehicle dealer’s license, motor vehicle auction dealer‘s license, or wholesaler’s license shall not be issued or renewed unless the applicant or holder of the license shall have on file with the commission an approved indemnifying bond or insurance policy issued by a surety company or insurance carrier authorized to transact business within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The term of the bond or policy shall be continuous and shall remain in full force until canceled under proper notice. All bonds or policies shall be issued in the name of the holder or applicant for the dealer’s license or wholesaler’s license. The bond or policy for all dealers except automotive recycling dealers shall provide public liability and property damage coverage for the operation of any vehicle owned or being offered for sale by the dealer or wholesaler when being operated by the owner or seller, his agents, servants, employees, prospective customers, or other persons. In circumstances where a customer’s or other person‘s vehicle is out of use because of breakdown, repair, or servicing and a motor vehicle is loaned, with or without consideration, the coverage mandated by this section shall be in excess of, and be deemed secondary to, the collision, bodily injury, and property damage liability coverage under a customer’s or other person’s own coverage for that person’s own negligence; otherwise the coverage mandated by this section shall be primary.
(2) The amount of insurance shall be two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for bodily injury or death of any one (1) person; five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for bodily injury or death in any one (1) accident; and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) property damage. The bond or policy for automotive recycling dealers shall provide commercial general liability coverage in the amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for bodily injury or death of any one (1) person; five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for bodily injury or death in any one (1) accident; and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) property damage.
(3) A bond or insurance policy shall not be canceled unless fifteen (15) days’ notice by the bondsman or insurance carrier has been given in writing to the commission. Upon the cancellation of any bond or insurance policy required, the right to engage in the business of a motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler shall immediately abate. If the bond or insurance policy is reinstated within thirty (30) days from the date of cancellation, the rights granted by the license shall again be in force and effect; otherwise, the license shall become void.
(4) A dealer that has a certificate of authority from the Department of Insurance demonstrating proof of self-insurance is exempt from this section.
Effective: January 1, 2015
History: Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 27, sec. 17, effective January 1, 2015; and ch. 83, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2014. — Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 83, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2002. — Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 111, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996. — Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 452, sec. 3, effective July 14, 1992. — Amended 1988
Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1988. — Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 373, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982. — Created 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 175, sec. 13.
Legislative Research Commission Note (1/1/2015). This statute was amended by 2014
Ky. Acts chs. 27 and 83, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.