State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.
May 12, 2008
Crisco Gains Approval of Consumer Bill Dealing With Auto Repair Shops
The co-chair of the General Assembly's Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) has gained Senate approval of legislation that requires a disclosure that consumers have a right to choose where their damaged cars are repaired and not the insurance companies. The bill was approved earlier by the House of Representatives.
The bill prohibits an insurer from requiring a person from using a specific repair shop if the car is involved in an accident. This follows allegations by the Auto Body Association of Connecticut that some insurance companies were steering customers to preferred repairers.
H.B. 5152 An Act Concerning Motor Vehicle Repairs requires a notice in motor vehicle repairs shops, on a repair appraisal or estimate, and on auto insurance identification cards informing customers of their right to choose the licensed repair shop that will fix their vehicle. It prohibits an insurer from recommending, requesting, or requiring that a customer use a particular motor vehicle repair shop.
In addition, no motor vehicle repair shop participating in a motor vehicle repair program established by an insurer shall repair a motor vehicle unless the consumer provides a written acknowledgment that they had the right to choose the licensed repair shop where the motor vehicle will be repaired.
"We've been working on this legislation for two years to help make it clear that it is up to the consumers to choose where their motor vehicles are repaired. It was approved in the Senate last year, but the session ended before it was considered by the House of Representatives," said Senator Crisco. "This year, the legislation achieves a balance on the concerns of the insurance companies and the auto body shops. But more importantly, the consumers will benefit from the language adopted in the bill, which was our main objective."
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