Connecticut Governor Signs Anti-Steering Bill
into Law by Casey Neeley, cneeley@glass.com A Connecticut bill designed to extend a ban on steering by third-party administrators (TPAs) and auto damage appraisers to specific repair shops, which includes auto glass repair and replacement businesses, has been signed into law by Gov. Dannel O'Malley. House Bill (HB) 5072 "requires initial communications between a glass claims representative or a third-party claims administrator of an insurance company doing business in Connecticut and the company's insured about automotive glass works or products to inform the insured about his or her right to choose where to have the work done." Additionally, "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 Connecticut government website. The bill further "requires that a glass claims representative for an insurance company or its third-party claims administrator, in the initial contact with an insured about automotive glass repair services or glass products, tell the insured something substantially similar to: '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 passed the House on May 7, later gaining approval from the Senate May 22, before heading to the governor's desk. This story is an original story by AGRR™ magazine/glassBYTEs.com™. Subscribe to AGRR™ Magazine. |
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