A bill is under review in the New Hampshire legislature that aims to “[make] it an unfair insurance practice for an insurance company, agent, or adjuster to knowingly fail to pay a claim to the claimant or repairer to the extent the claimant’s vehicle is repaired in conformance with applicable manufacturer’s procedures.”
The bill, H 1455, would add the following text to the state’s law regarding automotive repairs:
“(a) If the vehicle is equipped with an advanced driver assistance system, an automotive glass company, repair facility, or insurer informing, approving, or conducting glass repair or replacement shall:
(1) Prior to approving or performing glass repair or replacement, inform the consumer if a calibration of that system is required and if such calibration will be performed;
(2) If performing such calibration, meet or exceed the manufacturer’s procedures or specifications; and
(3) If a calibration was not performed or not completed successfully, inform the consumer that the vehicle should be taken to a vehicle manufacturer’s certified dealership, a qualified automobile glass company, repair facility, or other qualified repairer capable of performing the calibration of an advanced driver assistance system that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s procedures or specifications.
(b) If the vehicle is equipped with an advanced driver assistance system, an automotive glass company, repair facility, or insurer informing, approving, or conducting a scan or calibration for motor vehicle repairs or replacement:
(1) Shall not be limited to tooling or equipment dictated or recommended by the manufacturer’s procedures or specifications.
(2) Shall calibrate an advanced driver assistance system meeting or exceeding the manufacturer’s procedures or specifications.
(c) If a repairer does not accept a paint and materials estimate proposed by an insurer, the insurer shall reimburse the repairer based on any third-party guidelines generally accepted by automobile repair shops and insurers, and used by the repairer.”
The bill was pre-filed in the New Hampshire House on December 3 and is expected to be introduced officially on January 8, 2020. Once it is introduced officially, it will be referred to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee.
Click here for the full text of H 1455.