CT HB05298

Prohibits automobile physical damage appraisers from providing or offering rebates, gifts, prizes, or items of value to insurance company employees, agents, insureds, or their family members in exchange for directing appraisals or repairs to specified glass repair shops.

Prevents insurance companies, their employees, agents, and adjusters from requiring insureds to use specific repair shops or stating that choosing non-participating shops will cause delays or loss of guarantee, effective October 1, 2010.

Bars insurance company employees, agents, adjusters, and their family members from requesting, requiring, or accepting rebates, gifts, prizes, or items of value from automobile glass repair shops as inducement for referrals, with exceptions for legitimate business discounts on parts, labor, or customer service.

Requires motor vehicle glass repair shops, their owners, employees, agents, and family members from providing rebates, gifts, prizes, or items of value to insurance company employees or their families in exchange for selecting that shop, with penalties up to $2,000 per violation.

Mandates that appraisals and repair estimates include notice in at least 10-point boldface type stating customers have the right to choose their licensed repair shop.