March 2, 2011 — The Automotive Service Association (ASA) united with dozens of other automotive groups to oppose the National Conference of Insurance Legislators’ (NCOIL) Model Act for Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair.

“This amendment falsely presumes that a certified part will restore a vehicle to its pre-loss condition and falsely equates that part to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part, since the pre-loss vehicle in almost all instances would have OEM parts,” the ASA said in a letter to NCOIL co-signed by 37 associations.

The letter argued that the new proposal, which NCOIL’s Property and Casualty Committee will vote on March 4-6 at its spring meeting, is similar to one defeated last fall. More than 40 states have already addressed the use of aftermarket parts through notice and disclosure legislation, it said.

If NCOIL decides to approve the act, the ASA said it would support an amendment from Rep. Barb Byrum that would hold each party involved in the claims settlement and repair process liable for their roles. But the ASA would rather see the act defeated.

“The signatories have consistently opposed this model, and continue to desire for the committee to reject the model in its entirety,” the letter said.

To see the full letter, go to the ASA’s legislative website, takingthehill.org.