SB 396-Relating to Motor Vehicle Insurance Coverage for Windshield Glass

On Tuesday, January 16th, SB 396 by Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) was heard before the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance, was amended and subsequently passed unanimously by a vote of 11 yeas to 0 nays.

This bill authorizes the requirement of inspection of damaged windshield for covered motor vehicle before windshield repair or replacement is authorized by insurer.  The amendments that were adopted impose a 24-hour timeframe in which the windshield must be inspected, stipulate that the inspection must be done by an adjuster employed by the insurer, and state that if the windshield is “demonstrably” damaged then an inspection may not be required.

SB 396 will go on to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism for its next hearing.

AIF spoke in opposition the two amendments as they would undermine the underlying intent of the bill. However, AIF ultimately supported the amended bill to move it to the next committee in the hopes of working with the sponsor to improve the product. AIF supports authorizing proper inspections as a mechanism to reduce unnecessary and abusive claims behavior.