Ohio Body Shop Owners Association Pushes Consumer Education, Quality Repairs
It was just a low-key meeting at a Mexican restaurant, but the subject matter was anything but low-key. Members of the Ohio Body Shop Owners Association (OBOA) met March 10 in Oregon, Ohio, to discuss their latest consumer education ad campaign and also to go over some legislative strategies aimed at countering what they believe
Iowa Senate Introduces Collision Repair Parts Bills
The Iowa Senate is considering a bill that would bar insurers from requiring repairers to buy parts and supplies from specified sellers. Sen. Steve Warnstadt (D-Sioux City) introduced Senate File 2326, which addresses shops that perform repairs on behalf of the insurer to the property of an insured. The bill defines such requirements of insurers
New York Senate Introduces Right to Repair Bill
New York legislators introduced Senate Bill 7001, a companion to a right to repair bill under consideration in the Assembly (House Bill 5817). Similar to the federal legislation, the state bill would mandate that car companies share with independent repair shops the same service information, software and tools that they provide their new car dealer
Auto Glass Anti-Steering Bill Dies in Washington Senate
Anti-steering legislation aimed at the auto glass industry has died in the Washington Senate. The Washington House had approved House Bill 3053, which attempted to end insurer steering in auto glass claims, but the legislation did not make it past the Senate’s Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. Insurers, driven by the National Association of Mutual
AASP-MN Focuses Legislative Agenda on Three Bills
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative session. AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask the Department of Public
CRA Seeks Industry-Wide Support for Anti-Steering Bill
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) called on repairers in the state to rally around Senate Bill 1167, which it calls “truth-setting policy” that protects consumers from insurer DRP steering tactics. The bill, authored by state Sen. Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and sponsored by the CRA, states that when a claimant first reports an
MABA Legislation Recommended by Financial Services Committee
The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services recently gave a favorable recommendation to several bills that the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA) had filed for the current legislative session. In addition, the Committee favorably recommended a key labor rate bill drafted by the AASP-MA/RI chapter, with assistance from the Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
New Jersey Re-Examines Right to Repair
The New Jersey Senate and Assembly reintroduced the “Right to Repair Act” on Feb. 21. State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Woodridge) reintroduced Senate Bill 1334, and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) is sponsoring Assembly Bill 803. New Jersey’s Right to Repair Act ran out of the legislative clock to have it passed in the legislature’s last session.
Connecticut Senate Committee Recommends Passing Anti-Steering Legislation
The Connecticut Senate’s Joint Committee on Transportation recommended last month passage of a bill that would strengthen Connecticut’s existing steering law. Senate Bill 288 states, “No insurance company doing business in this state, or agent or adjuster for such company shall recommend, request or require any insured to use a specific person for the provision
Oklahoma House Committee Rejects Right to Repair
An Oklahoma House subcommittee voted against House Bill 2820 by a vote of 7-0. The bill, heard by the House Economic Development and Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Industry and Labor on Feb. 19, would have created the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) believes Right to Repair legislation in
Florida Insurance Department Seeks Allstate Suspension
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced on Feb. 19 that the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has filed an administrative complaint on a non-emergency basis seeking to suspend the certificates of authority of the Allstate Companies to write new insurance policies in Florida. The complaint is based in part on Allstate’s failure to provide witnesses
Kansas House Debates Anti-Steering Legislation
The Kansas House of Representatives is considering an anti-steering bill that would require insurers to notify claimants that they have the right to choose a repairer of their choice. Bob Smith, president of Storm Appraisal & Management Service, has lobbied for the bill. House Bill 2653 bill states that once a vehicle owner has chosen