1. A. As used in these regulations, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Accident” means any occurrence arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle in this State which results in damage to any property, or injury or death to any person.
   2. (2) “Claimant” means any qualified person making claim for damages for personal injury or death, or damage to property in excess of $250, by reason of the negligent conduct of an uninsured owner or operator of a motor vehicle, as these claims are further defined in Insurance Article, §20-601, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   3. (3) “Disappearing motorist” means an owner or operator of a motor vehicle, who was originally identified but whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained.
   4. (4) “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, as defined by Insurance Article, §20-203, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   5. (5) “Family member” means any person related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
   6. (6) “Fund” means the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, created by Insurance Article §20-101, et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, and includes the Uninsured Division, formerly the Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund.

   7. (7) Motor Vehicle.

      1. (a) “Motor vehicle” means a vehicle that is operated or designed for operation upon a public road by any power other than animal or muscular power and is required to maintain automobile insurance under Transportation Article, §17-103, Annotated Code of Maryland.

      2. (b) “Motor vehicle” does not include:

         1. (i) A moped, as defined in Transportation Article, §11-134.1, Annotated Code of Maryland;
         2. (ii) A motor scooter, as defined in Transportation Article, §11.134.5, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
         3. (iii) An electric bicycle, as defined in Transportation Article, §11-117.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   8. (8) “Person” includes natural persons, firms, co-partnerships, associations, corporations, and governmental bodies.
   9. (9) “Qualified person” has the meaning provided under Insurance Article, §20-601(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   10. (10) “Unidentified motorist” means an owner or operator of a motor vehicle whose identity and whereabouts are not known.
   11. (11) “Uninsured motorist” means an owner or operator of a motor vehicle whose whereabouts are ascertainable, but who was uninsured at the time of the accident.

   12. (12) “Uninsured motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which has:

       1. (a) No security in force meeting the requirements of Transportation Article, §17-103, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
       2. (b) A liability insurance policy in force meeting the statutory requirements when a receiver or conservator has been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction for the insurance company issuing the policy.
   13. (13) “Uninsured owner or operator” includes a disappearing motorist, an unidentified motorist, and an uninsured motorist, as those terms are defined in these regulations.

Authority: Insurance Article, §20-201(d)(3)(iii), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 1, 1977 (4:24 Md. R. 1850)

Regulations .01—.06, Settlement of Uninsured Motorists' Claims Without Court Approval, repealed effective May 2, 1988 (15:9 Md. R. 1112)

Regulations .01—.06, Uninsured Persons' Claims for Compensation from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, adopted effective May 2, 1988 (15:9 Md. R. 1112)

Regulation .01 amended effective February 19, 2024 (51:3 Md. R.154)

Regulation .03B amended effective February 19, 2024 (51:3 Md. R.154)

Regulation .04 amended effective February 19, 2024 (51:3 Md. R.154)

Regulation .05B amended effective February 19, 2024 (51:3 Md. R.154)

Regulation .06B, E, F amended effective February 19, 2024 (51:3 Md. R.154)