AASP-MN Opposes Federal Insurance Regulation
In response to federal legislative proposals that would establish a lead federal role in the regulation of insurance companies, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) Collision Advisory Committee announced it has adopted a position statement opposing federal regulation of the insurance industry. (Click HERE to read more about the pending legislation). AASP-MN
Auto Body Consumer Bill of Rights Signed into Law in California
A California bill (A.B. 1179) establishing an “Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights” that outlines insureds’ rights relative to covered auto body repairs was signed into law on Aug. 7. The bill mandates that information regarding a consumer’s right to seek and obtain an independent repair estimate directly from a registered body shop, even
Collision Repairers Convene on Capitol Hill to Call for Insurance Reform
). David A. Sampson, president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), has said the group opposes the bill, which PCI believes takes advantage of the AIG controversy to punish the entire insurance industry. “The McCarran-Ferguson Act does not hinder competition among insurers,” Sampson said. “In fact, it promotes competition in
Obama Administration Proposes Office of National Insurance
The Obama Administration has sent legislation to Congress that would create an Office of National Insurance (ONI), a proposed department of the Treasury that would “monitor all aspects of the insurance industry, including identifying issues or gaps in the regulation of insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry of the
Airbag Fraud, Aftermarket Parts Debated at NCOIL Meeting
Model legislation concerning airbag fraud and the use of aftermarket parts was debated by members of the collision repair, insurance and aftermarket parts industries at a recent National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Property-Casualty (P-C) Committee meeting in Philadelphia. The model legislation was debated for nearly two hours at the meeting, with an emphasis on
NY Bills Take Aim at Steering to Rental Car Companies
Companion bills introduced in the New York Legislature earlier this year – A.B. 4916 and S.B. 4691 – aim to prevent a type of steering not always discussed in the collision repair industry: referral to certain rental car companies by insurers during the claims process. The bills’ authors said they created the legislation, which would ensure that
GRC-Pirk Links Certification Service to BASF E-commerce
Government Regulatory Compliance (GRC-Pirk) announced that BASF’s www.bodyshopmall.com has added a portal to assist shops in qualifying for Certified Green Investment (CGI) registration. Mike Foldvary, BASF manager for Bodyshopmall marketing, said that as a result of adding the CGI opportunity, www.bodyshopmall.com customers will be able to identify themselves as providing “green” products and services.
Progressive Relationship Improving, Say Repairers at Midwest Collision Forum
The working relationship between Progressive and collision repairers is improving. At least that was the general consensus among repairers who attended the 4th Annual Midwest Collision Forum in Columbia, Mo. Chris Andreoli, corporate claims process manager for Progressive, addressed the insurer’s new claims initiative and other concerns. According to one observer, most participants seemed to
PCI Testifies Before Senate on Aftermarket Parts
The availability of aftermarket parts for use in collision repair keeps auto replacement parts prices competitive and saves consumers billions of dollars in insurance costs, according to testimony delivered today by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee staff briefing today on alternative collision repair parts, PCI Senior
Rhode Island Appraisal Bill Moves to Senate
Last week, the Rhode Island House passed H.B. 5892, which would make it an unfair claims practice for an insurer to fail to have an independent vehicle appraisal when damage exceeds $2,000. It would also make it an unfair claims practice for an insurer to fail to perform a supplemental appraisal inspection of a vehicle