Legislation will gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 over four years. Legislation sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. Ana B. Quezada to raise the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $11.50 to $15 over the next four years was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on May 20, two days after […]
Rhode Island Legislation Seeks to Clarify Paint, Body and Refinish Materials Payment Regulations
Bills specify examples of materials calculators. Requires vehicle owner written consent if insurer not retaining salvage. Prohibits insurers refusing to pay for sublet services. Two bills introduced in Rhode Island seek to update Unfair Claims Practices laws to provide specific examples of materials calculation systems and add a requirement that insurers get written consent from […]
Rhode Island Woman Charged with Embezzling $580,000 from Collision Repair Shop
Secretary redirected insurance checks to her personal and family member accounts during two-year period. A Pawtucket, R.I. woman was arraigned in federal court in Providence on April 1 and released on personal recognizance, charged with allegedly executing a scheme to defraud her auto body repair shop employer of approximately $580,000. It is alleged in the […]
Rhode Island Reinstitutes Requirements for Physical Inspection of Collision Repair Claims Following Reopening
Insurance regulator will resume enforcement of regulations requiring physical inspections on claims over $2500. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Insurance Division announced it will resume enforcement of physical inspection requirements that had been paused in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. On July 1, the Division updated its Bulletin Number 2020-2 that had […]
Providence Lacquer Joins Refinish Distributors Alliance
The Refinish Distributors Alliance (RDA) announced that Providence Lacquer in Cranston, R.I. is its newest member. Providence Lacquer has been a family owned and operated business for 71 years. The business was started in 1948 by Fredrick “Red” Kafrissen. They have grown to five locations in four states. Their headquarters and warehouse is in Cranston […]
Rhode Island Passes Legislation Clarifying Need for Physical Inspections on Collision Repair Claims Exceeding $2500
Rhode Island amends its unfair claims practice regulations. Jina Petrarca from Auto Body Association of Rhode Island details legislation in interview. The Rhode Island legislature passed House and Senate companion bills that amend and expand the definitions of unfair claims practices committed by insurers with regard to physical inspection, performance of appraisals, retail valuation and […]
Rhode Island Senate Bills Address Insurer Use of Photos in Collision Repair Damage Estimates, Aftermarket Glass ADAS Calibration
Legislation scheduled for hearing tomorrow before Senate Judiciary Committee. Two bills that impact the collision repair and auto glass industry will be included in a hearing before the Rhode Island Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Senate Bill 849 (SB 849) seeks to require that licensed appraisers perform a physical inspection and would prohibit the use […]
Balise Collision Repair Opens Fifth Location
Balise Collision Repair, part of the Balise Auto Group, is opening a fifth collision repair center today at 405 Quaker Lane in West Warwick, R.I. The new 10,000 sq. foot facility is the automotive dealer group’s third collision repair center in the Ocean State and will be geared towards fast-track repairs. “Our new location is […]
OEM Collision Repair Parts and Procedures Bill Becomes Law in Rhode Island
Senate Bill 2679, that expands consumer choice requirement for insurers on OEM parts to 48 months, is now law. Rhode Island Senate Bill 2679 (SB 2679), that expands the state’s existing requirement that consumers be given the right to choose and insurers pay for OEM parts on claims for 30 months after a vehicle is […]
PCI Urges Rhode Island Governor to Veto OEM Collision Repair Parts and Procedures Bill
Insurance association opposes legislation it says will raise costs for auto physical damage coverage in 15th most profitable state for insurers. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is encouraging Rhode Island Governor Raimondo to veto legislation that requires insurers to expand consumers’ ability to choose OEM parts to 48 months from current law […]