Consumers scored a victory in the Wyoming Legislature this session, with the defeat of HB 65, which would have eliminated insurer direct repair programs, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).. PCI testified in opposition to the bill at a hearing of the House Mineral, Business and Economic Development Committee.
“PCI worked to help legislators understand the benefits of direct repair programs for consumers,” said Kelly Campbell, PCI regional manager. “Insurers’ direct repair networks can provide auto body shop options that guarantee the quality of the body work and keep costs down, which keeps insurance premiums down for all consumers. Restrictive legislation like HB 65 eliminates competition among auto body repair shops and deprives consumers of information they need to make informed decisions.”
PCI also applauded the rejection of HB 168, which would have increased the minimum financial responsibility requirements and required the purchase of uninsured motorist coverage. The bill passed the House but was defeated in the Senate.
“Raising the financial responsibility requirements would have made Wyoming’s mandatory insurance levels some of the highest in the country and would have resulted in increases in liability premiums for insurance policyholders,” Campbell said.
PCI opposes mandating uninsured motorist coverage as an example of bad public policy that increases consumer costs. “PCI wanted lawmakers to understand that the consumer, not the government, should be the one to choose what coverage is needed,” said Campbell.
Sources: Wyoming Legislature, PCI
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