A new law that requires disclosure to consumers that they have the
right to choose the repair facility to complete repairs to their motor
vehicles is now in effect in Connecticut.

The law, passed in June 2008 and effective Jan. 1, requires insurance
companies to include the following notice on all issued insurance
cards: “You have the right to choose the licensed repair shop where the
damage to your motor vehicle will be repaired.”  The notice must also
appear on all estimates from insurers and shops, and it must be posted
in all collision repair facilities (click HERE to read more and to be linked to the law’s full text).

The law also requires motor vehicle repair shops to provide notice to
insurers of the need for supplemental repairs and to establish a time
frame for insurers to inspect the motor vehicle prior to commencement
of such supplemental repairs.

Bob Skrip, President of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut
(ABACONN), called the law “a giant step forward” in an editorial piece
published in The Day newspaper.

“It will go a long way to help educate consumers that they don’t have
to be afraid of insurance companies,” Skrip said of the law. “It’s your
car, and your choice where to have it repaired.”

In his piece, Skrip encouraged consumers to “have the courage” to
choose the repair facility they want to use despite what insurance
companies might say.

“A good consumer should call or visit more than one repair facility to
learn which shop is qualified to repair your car properly,” Skrip
wrote. “This is critical when you want to maintain the value in that
vehicle after the repair.”

To read Skrip’s piece in its entirety, click HERE.