Insurers can pay less in claims against guest drivers

The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday found that "step-down" provisions reducing the amount of insurance coverage for permissive drivers do not violate public policy. The high court found such provisions allowable in a unanimous decision. However, writing for the court, Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier noted that a new provision of the Illinois Insurance Code going into affect on Jan. 1 requires that car insurance policies provide the same coverage limits for everyone insured, be they named insureds or permissive users. 215 ILCS 5/143.13a.