Maryland Bill Regulating Salvaged Airbag Use Endangers Consumers, Repair Group Says
WMABA says it’s concerned bill would encourage insurers to call for salvaged airbags in repairs to cut costs.
Laws Banning Cell Phone Use While Driving Don’t Reduce Crashes, Insurance Data Indicate
As state legislators across the United States enact laws that ban phoning and/or texting while driving, a new Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) study finds no reductions in crashes after hand-held phone bans take effect. Comparing insurance claims for crash damage in four U.S. jurisdictions before and after such bans, the researchers find steady claim
Insurers Testify Against Body Shop Labor Rate, Supplement Bills in Massachusetts
The American Insurance Association (AIA) testified in opposition to several body shop-related bills at a hearing before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Financial Services. The legislation, most of which had been filed in previous legislative sessions, centers around labor rates, repair parts, glass repair and other issues. Two bills focused on at the hearing included
Anti-Steering Bill Introduced in Mississippi House
The Mississippi House is considering a bill, H.B. 390, that would prohibit insurers from requiring claimants to use specific shops for repairs. The bill, introduced last week, would make it illegal for insurers or adjusters to: • Accept or solicit gifts or referral fees in exchange for referring insureds to a particular automotive repair facility
State Insurance Regulators Back Creation of Federal Insurance Office
Changes to proposed legislation creating a Federal Insurance Office (FIO) have earned support from state insurance regulators. In a letter, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) told the House Financial Services Committee that amendments to the Federal Insurance Office Act (H.R. 2609) ensure state regulation continues to protect insurance consumers and companies. “The recent
Bill Prohibiting Deceptive Referral Introduced in Kentucky
A bill defining “deceptive referral” and requiring insurers to notify claimants that they have the right to choose a repair center – H.B. 186 – was introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives last week. The bill, which also addresses labor rate issues, is similar to a Senate bill pre-filed last year that has since
Shop Licensing Bill Introduced in Missouri for Second Consecutive Year
A bill introduced in Missouri, S.B. 709, would establish a board of auto body repair and require auto body repair shops and auto physical damage appraisers to be licensed. The bill is similar to one introduced in 2009 but includes some changes, according to Bob Smith of the Missouri Kansas Collision Coalition (MOKAN Collision). Smith
McCarran-Ferguson Repeal for Health Insurers Excluded from Senate Health Care Reform Legislation
U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy’s amendment to H.R. 3590, “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” will not be included in the Senate’s version of health reform. Had it been accepted, the amendment would have repealed the McCarran-Ferguson Act for health insurers. The U.S. House of Representatives’ health care reform bill H.R. 3962,
U.S. House Passes Bill Including Protection for Dealers Closed by GM, Chrysler
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that includes protection for automobile dealers targeted for closure by General Motors and Chrysler. The Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill is part of the Omnibus Appropriations Conference Agreement, and the Financial Services portion of this $446.8 billion omnibus spending bill, H.R.
Northeast States Edge Closer to Adopting Waterborne Paint Regulations
The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) has officially adopted a resolution calling on its member states to adopt waterborne paint regulations. The model regulations place limits for volatile organic compounds (VOC) that would require collision repair facilities to convert to waterborne basecoat refinish systems by Jan. 1, 2012. The model rule also would require the use
House Committee Passes Federal Insurance Office Act
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services has passed H.R. 2609, the "Federal Insurance Office Act," by a unanimous voice vote. H.R. 2609, introduced by Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa., would establish an Office of Insurance Information in the Department of the Treasury. A similar bill died in committee last year. Rep. Melissa