§431:10C-312 Payment of excise tax and certificate of ownership fee. (a) When a replacement vehicle is provided under section 431:10C-310 or section 431:10C-311, the insurer shall pay the applicable general excise tax and ownership fee as follows:

(1) If a cash settlement is provided, and if within thirty days of the receipt of the settlement by the insured, the insured has purchased a vehicle, the insurer shall reimburse the insured for the applicable general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee incurred on account of the purchase of the vehicle, but not exceeding the amount payable on account of the value of the total loss vehicle.

(2) If the insured purchases a vehicle with a market value less than the amount of the settlement, then the insurer shall reimburse only the amount of the applicable general excise tax and certificate of ownership fee incurred by the insured.

(b) If the insured cannot substantiate the purchase and the payment of the taxes and fee, by submission to the insurer of appropriate documentation within thirty-three days after the receipt of settlement, the insurer shall not be required to reimburse the insured for the taxes or fee.

(c) In lieu of the reimbursement procedure set out in subsection (a), the insurer may directly pay the required amounts of general excise taxes and certificate of ownership fee to the insured at the time of settlement.

(d) Written notice of the payment procedure outlined in this section shall be communicated to the insured at the time of settlement, together with any form required by the insurer for applying for the reimbursement. [L 1987, c 347, pt of §2]