Senator Linda Stewart (D – Orlando) today passed SB 1002, a bill on automotive windshield replacement practices, unanimously on the Senate floor. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.
The bill makes multiple changes around the process of windshield replacement, and will prohibit a replacement service provider from offering an inducement to a customer for using their business. It also prohibits consumers from entering an assignment of post-loss benefits contract for the replacement and calibration of the windshield.
“Today’s vote has long been in the works and a major priority of mine. It’s taken 5 years to get it this far, and 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 rise over 4000%. We are now a step closer to helping combat the ever increasing auto insurance rates and providing relief to consumers.”
The bill additionally updates statute to reflect new driver assistance technologies imbedded in windshields and language 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. In regards to “steering,” a third party which serves as a referral service for replacement claims may not direct consumers to a preferred vendor.
“This bill gets our windshield replacement policies up to date with the current times and further ensures consumer protections through notice of need for recalibration. Through these new requirements for replacements, the removal of AOB’s, and the recently adopted amendment to prohibit steering, I believe we have developed a comprehensive package that will greatly benefit consumers and ultimately lead to rate relief, and after today’s vote, I’m looking forward to its final passage in the House,” said Stewart.
