Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf yesterday signed House Bill 1638 (HB 1638) that amends the Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser Act to remove a prohibition against using photographs to prepare collision repair damage estimates. The bill had been opposed by Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild who testified against the legislation during a hearing before the Senate Banking […]
Louisiana Bill Requiring OEM “Safety Parts” Approved by House Committee
Bill seeks to regulate the use non-OEM anti-lock brake parts or airbag system components and prohibit insurance companies from requiring them on repairs. Bill also changes non-OEM crash parts disclosure requirements. The Louisiana House of Representatives Commerce Committee yesterday voted to approve an amended House Bill 559 (HB 559) that seeks to revised Chapter 41 […]
Massachusetts Bill Seeks to Set Minimum Collision Repair Labor Rate
Legislation would authorize the Commissioner of Insurance to establish minimum rates paid by insurers to collision repair facilities. Legislation recently introduced in Massachusetts, House Bill 4197 (HB 4197) seeks to provide the Commissioner of Insurance with the authority to establish minimum labor rates paid by automobile insurers for collision repairs in the Commonwealth. HB 4197 […]
Amended Photo Appraisal Bill Approved in Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Legislation removes prohibition against the use of digital photographs and video during the auto claim process. Measure moves to Governor for final approval. The Pennsylvania House of Representative yesterday approved Senate amendments to House Bill 1638 (HB1638) by a vote 129-59. HB1638 amends the 1972 Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser Act to eliminate the requirement […]
California Department of Insurance Proposes New Labor Rate and Anti-Steering Regulations
Proposed regulations seek to improve the accuracy and transparency of collision repair labor rate surveys, clarify anti-steering requirements for insurers. In early March, the California Department of Insurance published proposed regulations to change the requirements for labor rate surveys conduct across collision repair facilities as well as amendments to anti-steering regulations. The California Autobody Association […]
Boyd Group Reports Revenue Up 39% in 2015
The Boyd Group (TSE: BYD.UN), the multiple collision repair facility operator and glass service provider, reported its financial results for both the fourth quarter of 2015 and the full year yesterday. The company also provided guidance for 2016 and a long-term projection of future growth. For the year, sales increased by 39.1 percent to CA$1.2 […]
Maryland Non-OEM Parts Bill Withdrawn
Bill that sought to require insurance companies to specify OEM parts for two years after a vehicle is manufactured fails in the Maryland House of Delegates. The Maryland House Committee on Economic Matters voted to provide an unfavorable report March 18 on House Bill 1258 (HB 1258) that sought to require insurance companies to specify […]
NSF Opposes Maryland Aftermarket Parts Bill
NSF International, the non-OEM parts certifier, opposes Maryland House Bill 1258 (HB 1258), that seeks to prevent auto insurance companies from specifying non-OEM parts for a period of two years from the vehicles date of manufacture during collision repair claims. In letter to Maryland Delegate Richard Impallaria, the sponsor of the legislation, NSF details concerns […]
PA Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Passes Photo Appraisal Bill
Legislation would allow the use of digital images to prepare estimates. The Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved House Bill 1638 (HB1638) yesterday by a vote of 8-3. HB1638 proposes to amend the 1972 Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser Act to eliminate the requirement for physical inspections. Section 11(c) of the Appraiser Act currently […]
Hearing Held on Maryland Aftermarket Parts Bill
Bill would provide require OEM parts for two years after the vehicle was manufactured during insurance-paid collision repair. Requires any non-OEM, aftermarket parts be certified by a non-profit entity, with a public standard setting process, after the two year period. The Maryland House Committee on Economic Matters held a hearing yesterday on House Bill 1258 […]