Groups urge Schwarzenegger to sign California repair fraud legislation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A contingent of consumer groups that includes the Center for Auto Safety, Consumer Action and Consumers Union have united to urge Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign Assembly Bill 2825, a law that would require repairers to give customers wholesale invoices for crash parts. The bill is strongly opposed by the collision repair industry in California, was passed by a bipartisan legislative vote and is awaiting action by the governor along with hundreds of other measures.  MORE CALIFORNIA NEWS

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"Consumer groups are united behind AB 2825 to put a dent in parts switching and auto body repair fraud in California," says Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety and a leader in auto repair and safety issues for over 25 years. "By signing AB 2825 the governor will be taking a giant step toward smashing parts switching, deterring auto repair fraud and saving California consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually."

Current law requires consumers be provided an itemized written estimate prior to work commencing and a final invoice listing work completed and parts provided. Under AB 2825, consumers would be notified at the time of the initial estimate and again on the final invoice. The legislation also requires auto body shops to provide customers with copies, if requested, of the invoices for installed parts.

Click here to read Assembly Bill 2825 as enrolled.