Last week, the Rhode Island House passed H.B. 5892, which would make it an unfair
claims practice for an insurer to fail to have an independent vehicle
appraisal when damage exceeds $2,000. It would also make it an unfair
claims practice for an insurer to fail to perform a supplemental
appraisal inspection of a vehicle within 48 hours after requested by an
auto body repair shop. The bill now moves to the Senate for
consideration.
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) has said
it opposes the bill, which originally mandated independent appraisals
for damage exceeding $1,500. The Auto Body Association of Rhode Island
(ABARI) supports it.
“The auto body agenda hassles the consumer with the additional step of
an appraisal for practically all repairs,” said Frank O’Brien, PCI vice
president and regional manager. “This unnecessary extra step for most
repairs adds time and cost to a repair process that is already the
costliest in the country.”
Click
HERE to read a previous story about the bill.