Insurer-Owned Repair Shops Banned in Florida

Motor,  May 2004  by Nash, Tom

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The Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance recently passed Senate Bill 2692, which prohibits insurer-owned shops in the state of Florida. The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Walter G. Campbell, a member of the Banking and Insurance Committee, and cosponsored by state Sen. Stephen Wise. State Rep. Richard Machek introduced the companion bill (House Bill 1503) in the Florida House of Representatives.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), which has promoted similar insurer-owned shop legislation across the country, is working with the Florida Automotive Trades Association on this critical legislation in Florida. Senate Bill 2692 is similar to legislation enacted last year in Texas.

Commenting on the bill's passage, Charlie Elder, AAM, owner of Ray Gordon Brake Service in Tallahassee and a member of ASA's national board of directors, said, "We are pleased the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee has lined up behind this bill. It is critical that collision repairers across the state let their representatives in the state legislature know they support this legislation."

Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, said, "We have a number of states with insurer-owned shop legislation in play this year. ASA anticipates that the number of policymakers concerned about insurer-owned shops will continue to increase. The Florida legislation presents an opportunity for Florida collision repairers to contact their representatives asking that they cosponsor the House and Senate bills."

Copyright Hearst Business Publishing May 2004
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