CA AB1679

Requires insurers that conduct or use auto body repair labor rate surveys to report results to the Department of Insurance at least every 24 months, including the name and address of surveyed shops, total number surveyed, and geographic area covered.

Establishes standards for labor rate surveys to qualify for rebuttable presumption of good faith compliance, including requirements for sample size (at least 20 percent of registered shops), survey age (not older than 24 months), and calculation method (median rate without improper weighting).

Authorizes insurers to provide claimants with specific information about direct repair programs, available repair shops, expected repair timeframes, parts types, warranties, and differences between participating and non-participating repair shops at any time during the claims process.

Requires the Department of Insurance to keep confidential all survey responses, shop selection methods, and geographic determination information, except when required by valid subpoena or court order, treating such information as trade secrets.

Prohibits insurers from requiring auto body repair shops to pay for rental vehicle or towing costs as a condition of participation in direct repair programs, though insurers and shops may agree in writing that rental costs become the shop's responsibility if repairs exceed agreed-upon timeframes.