A Pennsylvania senator who says he experienced insurer steering firsthand has introduced legislation to address the issue. Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. introduced S.R. 254, which calls on Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario to investigate the practice of steering by insurers in the collision repair industry.
The resolution asks that Ario investigate insurer steering in the state and report his findings to the General Assembly within six months of the resolution’s passage.
Rafferty says he experienced insurer steering following a collision with a deer. In remarks to Ario, Rafferty said the insurance company insisted he use a preferred shop, but that he fought to have his vehicle repaired at his shop of choice.
“I find it very disturbing that they’re putting the strong arm on people to go to these preferred shops,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a good way to do business.”
Rafferty noted that he’s also heard from several shop owners in the state who say they’re losing business because insurers are “aggressively turning people who need car repairs to their preferred shops.”
“I think it’s something we need to get a handle on,” Rafferty said. “We need to tell the insurance companies to back off the situation.”
More information:
• Download a copy of the resolution
