Connecticut House Approves Auto Glass Bill
that Bans TPA Steering by Jenna Reed, jreed@glass.com The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday designed to extend a ban on steering by auto physical damages appraisers or third-party insurance administrators (TPAs) to specific repair shops, including auto glass repair and replacement companies. "The bill bars insurance companies or their representatives from steering an insured to a licensed glass shop owned by the company, claims administrator or their parent company, unless they provide the insured with the name of at least one other shop in the area where the glass work is to be performed," according to a summary of the bill from the State of Connecticut website. The bill specifically addresses auto glass work, saying a TPA cannot "require any insured to use a specific person for the provision of automotive glass work." The bill also bans TPAs from stating "that choosing a facility other than a glass shop participating in an automotive glass work program established by such a company will result in delays in or a lack of guarantee for the automotive glass work." Moreover, the House-approved bill says, "If there is any communication between a glass claims representative for an insurance company doing business in this state or a third-party claims administrator for such a company and an insured regarding automotive glass work or automobile glass products, in the initial contact with the insured, such representative or claims administrator shall state or disclose to the insured in a statement substantially similar to the following: 'You have the right to choose a licensed glass shop where the damage to your motor vehicle will be repaired. If you have a preference, please let us know,'" the bill states. There are 34 small, independent auto glass shops in Connecticut
that replace auto glass, which is down from about 70 about 15 years
ago, according to local reports.
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