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Tag Archives: Florida antitrust case
“Aftermarket Windshield Glass Poses Safety Risk,” Florida Collision Repair Shops Allege in Amended Complaint
A group of Florida collision repair shops have filed a third-amended complaint against State Farm and dozens of other insurers, alleging the insurers use their direct repair programs to illegally control and depress rates and they say if the shops don’t comply, customers are steered away. “With occasional exceptions, defendant insurers write estimates requiring use of aftermarket [such as aftermarket replacement windshields] or salvage parts. Aftermarket and salvage parts are, ostensibly, less expensive than OEM parts and, at least according to defendant insurers, of equal quality to OEM parts. This is simply not true,” attorneys for the collision repair shops allege in the complaint.
Repair Shops Respond to Hartford’s Request for Dismissal of Florida Antitrust Case
Attorneys for Florida collision repair shops that sued dozens of insurers recently responded to Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co.’s request for the U.S. Middle District of Florida Court, Orlando division, to dismiss their antitrust and steering lawsuit, writing, that, “The defendants misrepresents both the contents of the complaint and quite often the holdings of authority to which it cites.” The Florida repair shops sued Hartford, State Farm and dozens of other insurers. The case has potential implications for the AGRR industry, as some automotive glass repair companies allege similar issues with third-party administrators (TPAs), which handle automotive glass claims for insurers.