Florida Senate Committee Passes Insurer-Owned Repair Facility Legislation

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that, the Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance has passed Senate Bill 2692 by a vote of 8 to 1. The bill prohibits insurer-owned shops in the state of Florida.

The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Walter G. Campbell. Campbell, a member of the Banking and Insurance Committee, introduced the legislation earlier this year. The bill is co-sponsored by state Sen. Stephen Wise.

State Rep. Richard Machek introduced the companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives, House Bill 1503.
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has promoted similar insurer-owned shop legislation across the country. ASA is working with the Florida Automotive Trades Association on this critical legislation in Florida. Senate Bill 2692, prohibiting insurer-owned shops in Florida, is similar to legislation enacted last year in Texas.

"We are pleased the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee has lined up behind this bill," said Charlie Elder, AAM, owner of Ray Gordon Brake Service in Tallahassee, Fla., and a member of ASA's national board of directors, commenting on the bill's passage. "It is critical that collision repairers across the state let their representatives in the state legislature know they support this legislation. We will continue to publish information about our efforts and how repairers can assist in passing this legislation on our Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com."

"We have a number of states with insurer-owned shop legislation in play this year," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative. "ASA anticipates that the number of policymakers concerned about insurer-owned shops will continue to increase. The Florida legislation presents an opportunity for Florida collision repairers to contact their representatives asking that they co-sponsor the House and Senate bills."