Last week, the Michigan Senate Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Hune (MI-22), held a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 430, a bill to amend the insurance code to prohibit insurers from requiring automotive repairers to use a specific vendor or process to procure parts and other materials.
Following the hearing, Risley said, “Insurance companies should not be mandating the use of a specific software, technology or vendor for purchasing parts. Independent collision repairers should be able to choose the vendors with whom they would like to do business. Collision repairers have a vested interest in buying the highest quality part at a competitive price, choosing a vendor that can provide timely and efficient service and one that stands behind their product. That vested interest is the vehicle owner, their customer.”
Fisher commented at the conclusion of the hearing, “This bill is common sense legislation and, when passed, will be a great victory for Michigan consumers as well as the automotive repair community at large. This situation is not unique to my state, and it is my hope that Michigan can serve as a model for repairers in other states facing this issue.”
To view ASA’s testimony for the hearing, and send a support letter for S.B. 430, please visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past media releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
