Insurers Fight Back on R.I. Parts Bill

In Rhode Island, insurance companies cannot force consumers to use aftermarket parts on new car repairs. Now, lawmakers are considering bills to strengthen that existing law.

May 8, 2018

2 min read

May 8, 2018—A proposed Rhode Island bill would increase the time frame and extend restriction on the use of non-OEM parts to any part damaged in a collision to 48 months, according to ASA's Maryland/Rhode Island group.

The bill also seeks to prohibit insurers from requiring a repairer to use a collision repair procedure not recommended by vehicle manufacturers.

Rhode Island Senate Bill 2679 (SB 2679), introduced March 20 by State Senators Maryellen Goodwin, Dominick Ruggerio and Michael McCaffrey, seeks to expand restriction currently in place on non-OEM collision repair body parts in first-party claims to any collision damaged parts.

SB 2679 will return in front of the Senate on Tuesday, May 8.

Now, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) said the bill would drive quality replacement parts out of the market, according to WPRI Eyewitness News.

The Automotive Body Parts Association also opposes the legislation, according to the report.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, the association's executive director, Edward Salamy, said, "Alternative collision repair parts have been providing Rhode Island consumers a quality, less expensive option compared to expensive car company brand parts for over 60 years. These parts keep collision repair costs down and help towards lower insurance premiums for Rhode Island drivers."