Bill Text - HB1663 (2018)

(New Title) establishing a committee to study reimbursement rates under automobile insurance policies.


Revision: Nov. 13, 2017, 1 p.m.

HB 1663 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2018 SESSION

18-2686

03/01

HOUSE BILL 1663

 

AN ACT relative to reimbursement rates under automobile insurance policies.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Green, Rock. 13; Rep. Torosian, Rock. 14; Rep. Weyler, Rock. 13; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19

 

COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires automobile insurance companies to reimburse independent repair shops similarly to dealerships.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

18-2686

03/01

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen

 

AN ACT relative to reimbursement rates under automobile insurance policies.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Unfair Insurance Practices; Automobile or Glass Repair.  Amend RSA 417:4, XX(c) to read as follows:

(c)  Nothing shall prohibit any insurance company, agent, or adjuster from providing to such insured person or entity the name of an automobile glass company or automobile repair company with which arrangements may have been made with respect to automobile glass or repair prices or services.  If a name is provided, there must be disclosure by the insurance company, agent, or adjuster to the insured person or entity that any other automobile glass company or automobile repair company or location may be used at the discretion of the insured person or entity.  However, the insurer may limit payment for such work based on the fair and reasonable price in the area by repair shops or facilities providing similar services with the usual and customary guarantees as to materials and workmanship.  If an independent repair shop or facility and an insurer are unable to agree on a price, then for the purposes of this section "fair and reasonable price'' shall mean the price available from a recognized, competent and conveniently located, independent repair shop or facility which is willing and able to repair the damaged automobile within a reasonable time. The "fair and reasonable price" shall not be lower than that customarily paid to a repair shop or facility in the area that is part of or affiliated with an automobile dealership.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.