Florida total-loss legislation heads to state senate

March 2, 2012

March 2, 2012—An amendment to Florida House Bill 885, which proposes changes to total-loss procedures, has been approved by Florida’s House of Representatives and moved to the state Senate, according to the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

The ASA said the proposed bill would eliminate the current 80 percent threshold for total-loss vehicles to receive a certificate of destruction, and allow potentially unsafe vehicles to be branded as repairable. The amendment would also allow insurers to determine whether vehicles receive a certificate of destruction.

The ASA said it opposes the passage of the amendment for the following reasons:

•  The amendment would allow unsafe vehicles to operate on Florida’s highways. The amendment would require dangerous vehicles to be branded as repairable when such vehicles should not be put back on the roads because they cannot be adequately repaired to operate safely.
•  The amendment would allow insurance companies to determine whether or not a vehicle should obtain a certificate of destruction. Without the current 80 percent threshold that requires a total-loss vehicle to obtain a certificate of destruction, vehicles that should not be repaired can be returned to the roads.
•  The amendment would create dangers for consumers who would be unable to identify the level of damage that a vehicle has sustained. The vehicle branding would not reflect the actual designation of the vehicle as “unrebuildable.”
•  The amendment would increase the risk for criminal activity because vehicles that are badly damaged would be allowed to obtain a clean title and sold to unsuspecting purchasers.

The ASA said Florida repairers should contact their state senators in opposition of H.B. 885.

To view the full text of the bill, visit ASA’s legislative website TakingTheHill.com.

Sponsored Recommendations

Best Body Shop and the 360-Degree-Concept

Spanesi ‘360-Degree-Concept’ Enables Kansas Body Shop to Complete High-Quality Repairs

How Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrow Collision Center, Achieves Their Spot-On Measurements

Learn how Fender Bender Operator of the Year, Morrison Collision Center, equipped their new collision facility with “sleek and modern” equipment and tools from Spanesi Americas...

ADAS Applications: What They Are & What They Do

Learn how ADAS utilizes sensors such as radar, sonar, lidar and cameras to perceive the world around the vehicle, and either provide critical information to the driver or take...

Coach Works implements the Spanesi Touch system

Coach Works Uses Spanesi Equipment to Ensure a Safe and Proper Repair for Customers