The Auto Body Association of Texas’ number one priority is and always will be consumer safety. Sometimes that safety is physical and sometimes it is protection of their rights. We stand up for shops and the consumer alike to make sure that auto body repair is safe, proper and fair. Here is what we are working on at the capitol:
The Fair Appraisal Bill addresses the consumers’ right to a fair appraisal in the instance that a body shop and an insurance company cannot agree on the terms of a repair bill. The consumer has a right to hire and appraiser who will work with the insurance company’s appraiser to come to an agreement. Two Insurance companies in Texas have submitted policies that OMIT the customer’s right to invoke their right appraisal. We are working to preserve this right for Texas consumers.
HB 1321 by Travis Clardy, also known as the Safe Auto Repair Bill, addresses many issues repairers face but mostly the need for reimbursement for following OEM procedures, and the safety of aftermarket parts. This is NOT an anti-aftermarket bill- we just want these parts to be safety tested and truly be of “like kind quality” as it pertains to fit, finish, function, and above all else- crashworthiness. The bill also addresses steering, database manipulation and the insurers’ disregard of repair operations or procedures outlined in the estimating system or Procedure Pages.
The Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) has made a recommendation that legislature be passed to INCLUDE the right to appraisal in every insurance policy in Texas. Read the full recommendation report HERE.
