Connecticut House Bill HB06735

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/15
• Refer: 2/5/15

Caption

An Act Concerning The Provision Of A List Of Licensees That Perform Automotive Glass Work.

Impact

The proposed legislation will significantly alter how insurance companies manage claims related to automotive glass work. Following the bill's provisions, insurers are barred from requiring that repairs be performed at specific facilities or endorsing only certain vendors. This is intended to empower consumers to select their preferred service providers, thereby promoting competition and potentially lowering costs for automotive glass repair services. The bill attempts to strike a balance between consumer choice and the insurance industry's operational protocols.

Summary

House Bill 06735, titled 'An Act Concerning The Provision Of A List Of Licensees That Perform Automotive Glass Work', focuses on enhancing transparency and consumer choice in the realm of automotive glass repair. The bill mandates that the Commissioners of Motor Vehicles and Consumer Protection collaboratively maintain and publish a list of licensed individuals and businesses that perform automotive glass work. This list will be available on their respective agency websites and is aimed at providing consumers with easy access to qualified service providers when dealing with automotive glass repairs.

Conclusion

In essence, HB 06735 stands to enhance consumer rights in automotive glass repair while fundamentally revising the relationship between insurers and repair service providers. The discussions surrounding this bill reflect larger themes of consumer protection and the ongoing need for regulatory reforms to keep pace with industry practices.

Contention

While the bill appears to foster greater consumer choice, it could face opposition from insurance companies who may prefer a more controlled network of providers. The mandate that insurers must provide claimants with information about multiple service options may add administrative burdens. Furthermore, there could be concerns regarding quality assurance, with opponents arguing that the open choice could lead to inconsistent service levels among non-affiliated glass repair shops.