Houston Auto Body Association

To All,

Bill S.B. 1300 was filed last week. Please take time to read it. I would like feedback from any and all who have any comments or suggestions. There will be some changes to this bill but now is the time for your input. HB2276 is the companion bill filed in the House.
 
Regards
 
James E. Brown
President
HABA

Attached is your invitation to the APSA Biennial Legislative Breakfast. This is a great opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol, meet with your State Senator and Representative and see your legislature in action.

The event is Wednesday, February 16th at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
 
Check out the official details at our event page here >


Download the official file below.

Some of you may have seen the story that the TX Insurance Commissioner has chosen not to be re-appointed to his position. As many of you know this Commissioner worked closely with the HABA on their survey project.

In the mean time, the commissioner has issued his Bi-Annual Report of the TDI to the Legislature. In the 70 Page report, one of the items that specifically pertains to collision repair in TX can be found on page 39 of the report:

Direct Repair Facilities
•   TDI conducted a survey in May, 2010 of the top five personal automobile insurers in Texas to obtain current information relating to automobile claim payments.

•   Of the insurers surveyed, all had some sort of contract/agreement with direct repair facilities or had selected repair facilities to be on a preferred list (preferred shops).

•   Based upon the survey responses, for calendar year 2009 the percentage of initial automobile claims with repairs made at direct repair facilities ranged from approximately 18% to 50%.

•   The Insurance Code specifically addresses prohibited acts in connection with the repair of motor vehicles.

•   The Texas Administrative Code addresses notice requirements and claimants’ rights regarding motor vehicle repairs.
 
TDI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS that insurers improperly “steer” claimants to particular repair shops (direct repair facilities/preferred shops). Such action can restrict consumer choice. TDI has also received complaints that insurers are informing claimants that they may be responsible to pay for certain repair costs if the claimant selects a repair facility that is not on the insurer’s list of direct repair fa cilities.

Current law does not provide consistent regulation among insurers. For example, county mutual insurers, which represent approximately 45% of the Texas personal automobile insurance market, are not re quired to comply with the statutes and rules regarding the repair of motor vehicles.

Additionally, there may not be a clear understanding among the participants of the requirements to become a contracted direct repair facility with an automobile in surer.

To All,

The attachment down below is a letter on behalf of the HABA and is in a format that you can change who you are addressing it to and your information at the bottom.

I would encourage you to put your shop information ( position, address and phone #) as well.

Below is the information on how to locate your state lesgislator and instructions on how to address them and how to mail or email. Please take the time and email your State Representatives and Senators and introduce yourself and your shop. It is imperative that they know who we are with our upcoming legislative agenda.

How to find your state representative: www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

Addressing Procedures
 
State Representatives:

To write State Representatives:                       
The Honorable (full name)                                    
Texas House of Representatives                          
P.O. Box 2910                                                       
Austin, TX 78768-2910                                         
 
Dear Mr./Ms. (last name):                                     
 
Speaking:
“Representative (last name)”                               
“Mr./Ms. (last name)”
 
Email:                                                  
firstname.lastname@house.state.tx.us

State Senators:

To write State Senators:
The Honorable (full name)
Texas Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
 
Dear Senator (last name)
 
Speaking:
“Senator (last name)”
 
Email:
Senators                 firstname.lastname@senate.state.tx.us                
 

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 9th      at Mossy Nissan located at 12150 Katy Freeway Houston, TX. 77079. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm.

Add Meeting from the Events Calendar >

Chat and get location info in the Meetings Forum >

Check out the minutes from the last meeting >

Download the latest revised City Ordinance, also featuring comments.

To All,

Great news! We have the answers to the Insurer Survey. It will take time to go through the insurance companies answers. Please go through this information and make any notes of concern. We will be compiling our findings in the coming weeks.

Regards
 
James E. Brown
President
Houston Auto Body Association

Attached is the ruling from the Attorney General in response to the objections the Insurance companies cited in making the answers to the Insurer Survey public. This is a huge victory for the HABA and concerned policy holders. The insurance companies have 10 days to appeal this decision.

We need to collectively give our response as to why the answers to these questions should be made public to the Attorney General before its too late. Their main arguments are that these answers break privacy laws and that the information is proprietary in nature and if made public would give their competition (other insurance companies)  and unfair advantage.

I need your help. Please review this survey carefully and email me your thoughts. Please be specific as possible and reference section # and question#.

Download the latest file down below

Download the latest file down below.