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Authors

Tracy R. Barrus

Abstract

The movement to replace tort liability for automobile accidents with compulsory first-party insurance has resulted in the enactment of no-fault insurance schemes in twenty-five states. In order to place the burden of loss on the party primarily liable and to eliminate double recovery, the majority of these statutes entitle the no-fault insurer to recapture first-party benefits paid out to its insured. Section 31-41-11 of the Utah Automobile No-Fault Insurance Act (Utah No-Fault Act) is such a provision. In Allstate Insurance Co. v. Ivie, the Utah Supreme Court held that section 31-41-11 confers no right of subrogation on a no-fault insurer to funds received by its insured in a settlement with the tortfeasor. Rather, the insurer must recover funds it has paid out from the tortfeasor's insurer. Although Ivie accurately construed section 31-41-11 as precluding subrogation, serious inequities remain in the statute, which only the Utah legislature can resolve.

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