The Wyoming Senate last week passed 20-10 a bill declaring that insurers don’t have to pay for an OEM part if an aftermarket part “approved by a national certified organization” exists.

Any consumer who wants an OEM part “shall pay any additional cost” unless their policy allows otherwise, the measure states.

“An insurer shall not require the use of aftermarket parts in the repair of an automobile unless the aftermarket part is at least equal in kind and quality to the original part in terms of fit, quality and performance as approved by a nationally certified organization,” states Senate Bill 95, which was backed by lead sponsor Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, and co-sponsors Sens. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne, and Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston. “Insurers specifying the use of aftermarket parts shall consider the cost of any modifications that may become necessary when making the repair.

“… An insurer shall not be required to pay any additional cost of an original equipment manufacturer part when an aftermarket part equal in kind and quality in terms of fit, quality and performance is available. The insured may require installation of an original manufacturer part, but shall pay any additional cost of an original equipment manufacturer part if not covered pursuant to the terms of the insuring agreement.”

The bill guts consumer-friendly Wyoming Department of Insurance proposed regulations approved in 2017 by Republican Gov. Matt Mead which allow consumers to choose OEM parts at no additional cost. Wyoming Administrative Rules Chapter 19 has since July 2017 stated:

(a) No insurer shall directly or indirectly require the use of non‑OEM parts nor shall any insurer accept any estimate or authorize any repair unless the consumer is advised that he or she is not required to accept non‑OEM parts in the repair of the vehicle and consents in writing to the use of those parts before repairs are made.

(b) No insurer shall directly or indirectly require the consumer to pay any difference in price if the consumer elects to use OEM parts in the repair of the vehicle. (Minor formatting edits.)

Even the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ model legislation apparently used as a template for SB 95 and Chapter 19 doesn’t lock in the consumer to pay the difference in the manner of the new bill.

It’s a particularly nasty break for at-fault drivers, for they’d be the ones on the hook if a third-party claimant to the insurer wants OEM parts and their property damage liability insurer doesn’t feel like paying for anything other than aftermarket.

It also potentially affects recyclers and refurbishers, who under the definition of the bill would be OEM parts. If they’re not cheaper than certified aftermarket parts, the insurers don’t seem to have to cover them either. The bill defines “non-OEM” parts as built by “a manufacturer other than the original equipment manufacturer of the part.”

The Senate Transportation Committee amended the bill to its current version, which defines an aftermarket part as including “but is not limited to, any non‑OEM sheet metal, plastic, composite, fiberglass or carbon fiber parts that generally constitute the exterior of a motor vehicle, including inner and outer panels. Aftermarket part’ shall not include tires, windshields or windows.”

The committee actually expanded the definition significantly in the version it amended and the Senate passed.. The original bill limited aftermarket parts to “any non-OEM sheet metal or plastic parts that generally constitute the exterior of a motor vehicle, including inner and outer panels.” (Wheels, tires and glass were still excluded.)

Nethercott had not yet replied to an email and phone message around noon seeking comment on the bill.

The Automotive Service Association opposes the legislation, writing that it would “negatively impact collision repairers and consumers relative to aftermarket crash parts.”

“The bill was introduced Jan. 15, 2019 and in a very brief period of time, is on its way to potentially becoming state law,” the ASA wrote in a news release Jan. 29. “This legislation has been attempted in other states and numerous legislatures have rejected this policy as it dramatically changes the consumer-collision shop marketplace.”

ASA’s not kidding about the timeline. The Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 24 voted 5-0 to recommend it pass with amendments. The full Senate approved it 20-10 on Jan. 29, and it’s been kicked over to the House, where it’s sponsored by seven representatives already. (In fairness, Wyoming’s legislative session is really short.)

The Transportation Committee did add two pieces of consumer protection not found in the original bill. That panel was responsible for the requirement that “equal in kind in quality … in terms of fit, quality and performance” be “approved by a nationally certified organization.”

Unfortunately, neither the committee nor the full Senate bothered to define what kind of organizations they meant or who would certify the certifiers.

Nethercott’s original bill also merely required an insurer notify the consumer in writing about the existence of aftermarket parts.

But the committee added language that the consumer “shall sign or acknowledge receipt” of the notice that aftermarket parts will be used, at least reducing the chance the consumer will just gloss over the language.

“ASA opposes SF0095,” the organization wrote. “There are numerous questions that SF0095 raises including:

“• Who is to determine that parts meet OEM standards?

“• What state agency is equipped to evaluate certification standards?

“• How does this protect the consumer?

“Any discussion about automotive crash parts invokes an examination of quality issues. More importantly, what has been the policy dialogue about vehicle safety as impacted by SF0095? These are important issues that should require more than two weeks of policy debate.” (Minor formatting edits. Emphasis ASA’s.)

ASA lobbyist Robert Redding Jr. attacked the bill in a Facebook Live post on Wednesday.

Redding said that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has for years declined to develop certification or standards for crash parts, and he wondered what state agency in Wyoming was equipped to evaluate a certification standard.

He asked who would conclude that a part met OEM specifications. “Who’s gonna determine that?” he said.

Would it be self-certification, or “an industry group that pops up for hire” without qualified staff to handle the issue, he wondered.

How would it protect the consumer, he asked. “Why are we doing this?” he said. Would it assure insurance rates would fall in Wyoming, he asked.

What had been the policy dialogue on vehicle safety under SB 95, he wondered. “These are important issues” demanding “more than a superficial review,” he said.

Why would lawmakers take any bill that impacts collision repairers and vehicle owners and “push this through within two weeks?” Redding asked. The measure contained no protections for shops in a more concerning litigation environment, and it had no consumer protections, he said.

Redding said the ASA was working with Wyoming shops and paint distributors to block the bill’s passage without more study and stakeholder input.

“This is a bill we need to stop in its tracks,” he s aid.

Be heard: Wyoming lawmaker contact information can be found here and here.

Images:

The Wyoming Legislature is shown. (benkrut/iStock)

Wyoming state Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, (Provided by Wyoming Legislature)