SB 149

Under current law, the time limit for initiating a civil action on a contract or

obligation, including an insurance policy, is generally six years after the cause of

action accrues. This bill changes the time limit to three years in those cases in which

the contract is a motor vehicle insurance policy. The bill describes a motor vehicle

insurance policy as a policy of insurance issued or delivered in this state against the

insured's liability for loss or damage resulting from an accident caused by any motor

vehicle, whether the loss or damage is to property or to a person.

Current law also requires a person seeking to recover damages for injuries to

the person or for death caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another to

initiate a civil action in three years. This bill changes the time limit for initiating a

civil action to two years in those cases in which the death is caused by or arising from

an accident involving a motor vehicle covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Finally, current law requires a person seeking damages for an injury to real or

personal property to initiate a civil action within six years after the cause of action

accrues. This bill changes the time limit for initiating such a civil action to three

years.