VT H0384

Commissioner of Financial Regulation must conduct a market survey of hourly labor rates charged by Vermont auto repair facilities and rates paid by insurance companies, comparing them to other New England states and national data

Commissioner must establish a minimum hourly insurance reimbursement rate for labor applicable to both first- and third-party auto insurance claims, set at a "fair and reasonable amount" based on prevailing competitive prices

Minimum rate must be adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Minimum reimbursement rate applies to all insurance claims filed on or after January 1, 2026

Claimants and insurers may still negotiate higher rates based on factors like vehicle type, body materials, required expertise, equipment, and geographic area; insurers cannot refuse to negotiate solely because they could get a lower price from another repair facility