March 26, 2015—Four bills related to the collision repair and insurance industries were held for further study on Tuesday in Providence, R.I., according to a report from the Providence Journal.
The Journal reported that representatives of both industries attended the two-hour hearing before the House Corporations Committee.
The most heavily discussed issue was a measure that would allow for first-party and third-party lawsuits to be brought against insurance companies.
Peter Petrarca, a lobbyist for the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island, said the bill would provide protection to third-party property damage claims in situations where the insurer may not be moving quickly enough, according to the Journal. The insurer representatives said the bill would lead to expensive litigation costs and increases in car insurance premiums.
The Journal reported that the committee also heard testimony on a series of bills related to the operation of “public motor vehicles,” including limos, Uber and Lyft services.
