The Florida Automotive Trades Association (FATA) has been working on legislation concerning collision shops owned by insurance companies.
FATA, representing the Automotive Service Association of Florida and the Florida Independent Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, has filed an anti-steering bill, which would grandfather-in existing collision shops owned by big auto insurance companies but would not allow any further shops to be owned by insurance companies. It would also prevent insurance companies from steering business toward their own shops.
FATA Lobbyist Patrick Bell, FATA Executive Director Jill Mondo and FATA member and ASA national board member Charlie Elder attended the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Hearings on April 1, 2004. The Senate Committee passed SB 2692, the first of many steps toward legislation, said the association.
Senator Walter Campbell is the sponsor of Senate Bill 2692 and the House Bill 1503 was introduced by Representative Richard Machek.
FATA urges members and collision shops throughout the state to write their state senators and representatives on this issue.
More more information, FATA may be reached at (800) 434-8372.
