The Rhode Island House Corporations Committee recently recommended that a bill related to aftermarket parts be passed. House Bill 8013 outlines time limits for using aftermarket auto body parts and changes the customer notification process for the intent of using aftermarket auto body parts. It also aims to adjust current provisions relevant to motor vehicle replacement parts. The committee recommended it for passage on June 12, 2018.
The committee made some slight changes to the time limit prohibition section regarding aftermarket parts. That section states, “Whenever an insurance company, in adjusting a claim for motor vehicle physical damage, intends to specify the use of aftermarket parts, it shall notify the vehicle owner in writing.” Previously it was not clearly stated that they must notify the owner in writing.
Another change in wording affects the manufacture date. Originally these provisions applied to vehicles that were less than 30 months outside of its manufacture date; that has been expanded to 48 months. According to the bill this extends the time to notify the vehicle owner “…that he or she may require the insurer to pay for and the auto body shop to install original equipment manufacturer parts or OEM parts in the repair.”
The last addition involves what an insurance company can require when it relates to aftermarket vehicle parts. “When OEM parts are used in the repair of a motor vehicle, no insurance company may require any repairer to use repair products that are not in compliance with the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer,” the bill states.
Click here to see the full text on the bill.
