California Bill Would Mandate Insurer Assessments Not Be Used As Estimates
A bill introduced in the California Assembly would require insurers to disclose in writing to claimants that any damage assessment made by the insurer is not a written estimate of repair costs and that only facilities licensed by the state Board of Autobody Repair can write an estimate. The bill, A.B. 1179, is supported by
Two Federal Bills Seek to Strengthen Total Loss Reporting Rules Effective April 1
The U.S. Department of Justice recently released the final rules for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), created by a 1992 law to prevent title washing. The rules, which go into effect April 1, will require insurers to report vehicles that have been declared total losses under state law and by their own
California Bill Addresses Repair Fraud
The California Senate is considering a bill (S.B. 427) that would deter “parts switching,” or quoting one part on an estimate but instead installing a cheaper or faulty part during the repair. The bill would require repairers who include the replacement of a deployed air bag on a written estimate to repair and fully restore
PCI Opposes Rhode Island Auto Body Repair Legislation
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is opposing collision repair legislation backed by the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI). H.B. 5891 would prohibit both insurers and repairers from authorizing repairs in place of a vehicle’s owner, and H.B. 5892 would add to the state’s unfair claims law by mandating that insurers
Oregon Bill Would Lessen Insurer Influence on Repair Costs
The Oregon Senate is considering a bill that would lessen insurer influence on repair costs through several provisions designed to distance insurers – both figuratively and literally – from the repair process. The bill, S.B. 617, is backed by Oregonians for Safe Auto Repair (OSAR). The bill has three components stating that insurers and other
Kentucky Bill Would Remove Airbags from Total Loss Calculations
The Kentucky Senate is considering a bill that would exclude the cost of airbag replacement from the 75 percent total loss calculation. Pat J. Gisler, executive director of the Automotive Service Council of Kentucky (ASC-KY) said the bill would help save cars that may have been totaled otherwise and provide more work for shops. “We’re
South Dakota Bill Would Increase Damage Disclosure Threshold
The South Dakota House of Representatives is considering a bill (S.B. 98) that would increase the damage disclosure threshold for the sale of motor vehicles and boats. The minimum would change from $5,000 to 40 percent of the vehicle’s value or $8,000, whichever value is lower. The bill’s proponents, including representatives from the insurance industry
Anti-Steering Bill Introduced in California Assembly
The California Assembly is considering a bill that would prohibit insurers from suggesting a specific repair shop unless the claimant expressly requests a referral or the claimant has been informed in writing of the right to select a repair shop. A.B. 802 also states that if a claimant accepts the insurer’s recommendation, the insurer must
Missouri Shop Licensing Legislation Would Be Effective in August
The Missouri Legislature is considering a bill that would create a state board of auto body repair that would license auto body repair facilities and physical damage appraisers. Under the bill’s licensing requirements, repair facilities would be required to: pay a licensing fee of $250 annually; have all required state and federal licenses, permits and
Missouri Considering Opening Salvage Sales to Public
Missouri’s House of Representatives and Senate are simultaneously considering bills that would allow all residents of the United States to attend salvage pool or salvage disposal sales, rather than just licensed salvage dealers. Hearings were held in mid-February for the bills, H.B. 539 and S.B. 177. Opponents of the bills fear that opening salvage sales
Washington State Introduces Bill to Implement Vehicle-Scrappage Program
On the heels of the defeat of a U.S. Congressional proposal to create a national Cash for Clunkers program, a bill has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature that would implement a vehicle scrappage program for passenger vehicles more than 15 years old that are not emissions compliant. Under the bill, qualifying vehicles would
Proposed Text: Regulation Implementing and Interpreting Insurance Code 758.5
California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 5, Subchapter 9, Article 7.5, Section 2698.93 ARTICLE 7.5. – Insurer Recommendations of Automotive Repair Dealers Section 2698.93 (a) This article applies to any claim in which an insurer may be required to provide benefits for repair of a motor vehicle pursuant to a policy