Majority opinion says policy language restricting an insured’s ability to assign the benefits of their claim to a collision repair facility is ambiguous, overturning a lower court ruling to dismiss the case. The New Hampshire Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a lower court ruling that in favor of State Farm to dismiss a breach of […]
Auto Glass Assignment of Benefits Legislation Fails in Florida Senate Committee
The legislation would have restricted the ability of repair industry to sue insurers on their customers’ behalf. Legislation introduced earlier this year in the Florida Senate to restrict the use of customer incentives and assignment of benefits agreements in auto glass claims failed to advance yesterday in a committee vote. As CollisionWeek reported Monday, Florida […]
Florida Auto Glass Legislation Scheduled for Hearing Tomorrow
Legislation seeks to limit customer incentives by repair industry. Amendments address assignment of benefits on glass claims. A bill seeking to prohibit repair facilities from offering potential customers an incentive to handle their auto glass insurance claims will have a hearing before the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on December 10. As CollisionWeek reported […]
Vermont Supreme Court Awards Over $40,000 to Collision Repair Shop in Short Pay Case
Justices reverse Superior Court ruling in favor of Nationwide Insurance in assignment of benefits lawsuit involving over 70 claims. The Vermont Supreme Court on June 28 reversed a lower court ruling that had overturned a jury award of over $40,000 to a Vermont collision repair facility that had sued Nationwide Insurance for underpayments on claims. […]
Indiana House Insurance Committee Amends and Approves Legislation Defining Deceptive Collision Repair Practices
Adds language to Senate Bill prohibiting assignment of benefits to collision repair facilities. Amendment eliminates most restrictions on insurers. The Indiana House Committee on Insurance amended and approved Senate Bill 164 (SB 164) on February 21 by a vote of 12-0. While SB 164 originally included extensive anti-steering provisions, amendments in both the Senate and […]
Florida Insurers Identify Assignment of Benefits Abuse and Auto Safety as Top Legislative Priorities
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) called on the Florida Legislature to address assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse and distracted driving as top priorities for the 2018 Florida Legislative Session. PCI believes AOB reform should be a central part of any discussion of hurricane preparedness and response this session, as Florida was battered […]
Insurance Group Calls on Florida Senate Insurance Committee to Approve Auto Glass Assignment of Benefits Legislation
Legislation would specifically allow insurers to require inspections before windshield repair or replacement. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) called on the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee to pass Senate Bill 396, which seeks to curb assignment of benefit (AOB) practices associated with windshield glass repairs that the insurance industry considers abusive. […]
PCI Warns Floridians on Auto Glass Fraud, Assignment of Benefits Abuse
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is warning vehicle owners in Florida not to become a victim of fraud when having a windshield repaired or replaced and to avoid assignment of benefits (AOB) “schemes” by glass repair and replacement facilities. Insurers in Florida have been pushing for legislation reforming the AOB process on […]
GEICO Suit Alleges Fraudulent Glass Repair Scheme in Florida
Insurer seeks to recover $223,000 and judgment for $175,000 in outstanding claims. Alleges fraudulent repairs and forged Assignment of Benefits documentation. Defendants deny allegations, seek dismissal of insurer’s claims and countersue. In June, GEICO filed suit in Florida alleging that five companies and six named individuals fraudulently billed the insurer for “…phony and otherwise unreimbursable […]