TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill designed to curb excess litigation and protect consumers regarding automotive windshield replacement has been signed into law.
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The bill, sponsored by State Senator Linda Stewart (D - Orlando) makes multiple changes to the process of windshield replacement.
“It’s taken 5 years to get it this far, and I would like to thank all of those involved in the long journey to this achievement. I believe we have crafted an excellent product that will put an immediate stop to inappropriate business practices that drive up premiums,” said Stewart. “Over the last decade, we’ve seen litigation over glass repairs increase by 4000% and now we have taken a major step in combatting one of the root causes in ever-increasing auto insurance rates.”
The bill would prohibit a replacement service provider from offering an incentive to a customer for using their business and would also prohibit consumers from entering an assignment of a post-loss benefits contract for the replacement and calibration of the windshield.
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“This bill gets our windshield replacement policies up to date with the current times and further ensures consumer protections through notice of the need for recalibration. Through these new requirements for replacements, the removal of AOB’s, and the prohibition on steering, I believe this new law will greatly benefit consumers, and ultimately lead to rate relief,” Stewart added.
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The bill also addresses statutes to reflect new driver assistance technologies embedded in windshields and adopted an amendment to combat a practice known as “steering.”
Replacements of windshields will now also need to receive recalibration or notice to vehicle owners from the service provider that a recalibration is necessary for all systems in their car to work properly.
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