Sec. 38a-354. (Formerly Sec. 38-175u). Automobile appraisers and insurers prohibited from requiring where repairs should be made. Notice required on appraisals or estimates. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 38a-354. (Formerly Sec. 38-175u). Automobile appraisers and insurers prohibited from requiring where repairs should be made. Notice required on appraisals or estimates. (a) No automobile physical damage appraiser shall require that appraisals or repairs should or should not be made in a specified facility or repair shop or shops.

      (b) No insurance company doing business in this state, or agent or adjuster for such company shall require any insured to use a specific person for the provision of automobile physical damage repairs, automobile glass replacement, glass repair service or glass products unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the insured.

      (c) Any appraisal or estimate for a motor vehicle physical damage claim written on behalf of an insurer shall include the following notice, printed in not less than ten-point boldface type:

NOTICE:

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE LICENSED REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE DAMAGE TO YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED.

      (P.A. 79-624; P.A. 92-259; P.A. 08-146, S. 1.)

      History: Sec. 38-175u transferred to Sec. 38a-354 in 1991; P.A. 92-259 divided section into two Subsecs., inserting new language as Subsec. (b), prohibiting insurers from requiring insureds to use a specific person for physical damage repairs, glass replacement, glass repair service or products unless otherwise agreed to by insured; P.A. 08-146 added Subsec. (c) requiring written notice on appraisals or estimates of consumer's right to choose repair shop where repairs will be done, effective January 1, 2009.

      See Sec. 38a-790 re licensing of motor vehicle physical damage appraisers.