Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed H.B. 309, which removes the cost of airbag replacement from 75 percent total loss calculations, into law on March 20. The new rule will be effective in October.
The law also stipulates that insurers are bound by terms and conditions of individual policies relating to airbag reinstallation and that vehicle sellers are responsible to disclose damage to vehicles only if they have direct knowledge of it or if the damage occurred while in the hands of the dealer.
Pat J. Gisler, executive director of the Automotive Service Council of Kentucky (ASC-KY) said the new law will help save cars that may have been totaled otherwise and provide more work for shops.
“We’re totaling cars that there actually isn’t that much wrong with because they’re older and airbags are so expensive to replace,” she said. “We’re thinking that this will put some money back into the pockets of shops and consumers.”
Click HERE to read a previous story about the bill. Click HERE to view H.B. 309. For more information, visit www.ascky.org.
