Bill Text: MS HB1339 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Motor vehicles; prohibit certain solicitations, statements and restrictions in connection with repair of under policy.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Failed) 2013-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB1339 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HB1339-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Insurance
By: Representative Gunn (By Request)
House Bill 1339
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-11-501, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT AN INSURER, AN EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF AN INSURER, AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER, AND AN ENTITY THAT EMPLOYS AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER FROM MAKING CERTAIN SOLICITATIONS, STATEMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS UPON AN INSURED IN CONNECTION WITH THE REPAIR OF DAMAGE TO A MOTOR VEHICLE COVERED UNDER AN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 83-11-501, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
83-11-501. (1) No insurer may require as a condition of payment of a claim that repairs to a damaged vehicle, including glass repairs or replacements, must be made by a particular contractor or motor vehicle repair shop; provided, however, the most an insurer shall be required to pay for the repair of the vehicle or repair or replacement of the glass is the lowest prevailing amount that such vehicle or glass could be properly, fully and fairly repaired or replaced by a contractor or repair shop within a reasonable geographical or trade area of the insured, using the original manufacturer's approved procedures.
(2) In connection with the repair of damage to a motor vehicle covered under an automobile insurance policy, an insurer, an employee or agent of an insurer, an insurance adjuster, and an entity that employs an insurance adjuster may not:
(a) Solicit or accept a referral fee or gratuity in exchange for referring an insured or third-party claimant to a repair person or facility to repair the damage;
(b) State or suggest, either orally or in writing, to an insured that the insured must use a specific repair person or facility or a repair person or facility identified on a preferred list compiled by an insurer for the damage repair or parts replacement to be covered by the policy; or
(c) Restrict the right of an insured or third-party claimant to choose a repair person or facility by requiring the insured or third-party claimant to travel an unreasonable distance to repair the damage.
(3) The insurer of a motor vehicle shall clearly and prominently display the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section on the face of the insurance policy or certificate in lieu of an insurance policy.
(4) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.
