Connecticut Anti-Steering Bill Pushes Through Committee

The Connecticut General Assembly's Joint Transportation Committee today recommended that the full assembly pass an anti-steering bill. Senate Bill 288 is designed "to clarify and extend the present 'anti-steering' law that prohibits insurers from requiring an insured to choose a certain motor vehicle repairer as a condition of paying for repairs, and to require insurers to pay the usual and customary hourly rate that the general public in the same geographic area of the state commonly pays for such repairs."

If passed, the bill would amend the current law, adding the following underlined words to its text, and deleting the brackets below:

(b) No insurance company doing business in this state, or agent or adjuster for such company shall recommend, request or require any insured to use a specific person for the provision of automobile physical damage repairs, automobile glass replacement, glass repair service or glass products. [unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the insured.]

Last week, a public hearing was held about the bill, and much like the recently deceased anti-steering bill in Washington state, the insurance industry came out in full force against it, saying that that it limits free speech (CLICK HERE for related story).

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to AGRR magazine.