A bill in the New York state legislature outlines guidelines for the use of original equipment materials and procedures (OEM) in collision repair shops. The bill, also known as A8050, was introduced in the Assembly and was sponsored by Assemblyman William Magnarelli. If passed it would “require vehicle repair shops to follow OEM guidelines for collision repairs and [would] forbid insurance companies from requiring repair shops to deviate from those guidelines.”
A8050 also states, there should not be any deviation from OEM guidelines without the written authorization from the vehicle owner or the vehicle owner’s authorized representative.
“…no motor vehicle repair shop shall deviate from the collision repair guidelines, procedures, recommendations and service bulletins issued by a vehicle or original equipment manufacturer in the repair of a collision damaged vehicle without the written authorization from the vehicle owner or the vehicle owner’s authorized representative,” a portion of the proposed legislation reads.
Vehicle calibration, as it relates to insurers, was also mentioned in the newly proposed legislation. According to the bill, there will also be guidelines that must be followed for recommended or required scans and recalibrations.
“If a repair procedure or specification from a vehicle or original equipment manufacturer includes a directive to conduct a scan, calibration, diagnostic test of vehicle electronic systems before or after the commencement of repairs, such directive shall be considered as a required part of the repair procedure,” a portion of the bill reads.
If this were to pass it would become effective January 1, 2020. Currently the bill is being reviewed by the Assembly Insurance Committee.
To view the A8050’s full text, click here.
