 
Legislative Update: Mississippi Auto Glass
Deductible Bill Dies in Committee, While Arizona House Considers
Bill That Some Say Could Remove Zero-Deductible Option
February 3, 2010
A Mississippi bill that would have made it so that deductibles
would not apply to auto glass damage covered by insurance policies
in the state has died in the state senate's insurance committee.
The bill had been introduced by Sen. Robert Jackson (D), in an effort
to help consumers in a state with rough roads and many broken windshields.
However, Jackson told glassBYTEs.com/AGRR magazine
last week he feared the bill wouldn't fare well, citing the insurance
committee chair's ties to the insurance industry.(CLICK
HERE for related story.)
Meanwhile, the Arizona House is considering a bill that would change
the state's no-deductible policy for auto glass so that this might
be optional.
The state's current law reads as follows:
"Any insurer writing private passenger automobile insurance
which includes comprehensive coverage
for motor vehicle damage shall provide
at the option of the insured complete coverage for the repair
or replacement of all damaged safety equipment without regard
to any deductible."
However, if the bill, H.B. 2464, passes, the law would now read:
"Any insurer writing private passenger automobile insurance
that includes comprehensive coverage
for motor vehicle damage may offer coverage
that provides at the option of the insured complete coverage
for the repair or replacement of all damaged safety equipment
without regard to any deductible."
Industry representative Cindy Ketcherside, formerly owner and president
of JC's Glass in Phoenix, spoke before the Senate's banking and
insurance committee earlier this week in opposition to the bill.
(CLICK
HERE for related story.)
"Using the words 'shall provide' as written in the current
bill gives the consumer more choices," saysKetcherside. "It
mandates that the insurance industry must provide a zero-glass deductible
coverage for glass, along with a $100 and $500 (or even higher)
option. By changing the words to 'may provide,' the insurance companies
will still offer $100 and $500 deductibles, but what will be eliminated
is the option for the consumer to choose a zero-glass deductible."
Ketcherside also pointed out that 59 percent of consumers in Arizona
currently utilize the zero-glass deductible option.
Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK
HERE to subscribe to AGRR magazine.
|