Feb. 8, 2011 — A bill recently introduced in the Iowa Senate calls for the establishment of an interim study committee on auto insurance direct repair programs (DRPs).
Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, introduced the bill. Referred to as Senate File 23, it would create a committee made up of legislative members, repair shop and insurance company representatives and other citizens, who would submit findings and recommendations on DRPs to the general assembly by January 2012.
The study would include “a review and analysis of the use of such direct repair programs by the automobile insurance industry in Iowa and the effect of the use of such programs on automotive body repair shops, insurance costs, and Iowa consumers,” the file states.
A theme at the conference was for Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA stakeholders to use technology to improve the customer experience and reduce the strain on estimators.
