Legislators in New Hampshire have passed a bill that would make glass repairs exempt from current regulations in the state. 

The bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and was sent to the governor for his signature June 13. 

New Hampshire’s HB1259 exempts anyone “who solely investigates, negotiates, settles, or completes a first notice of loss form for automobile glass replacement or repair claims” from the Insurance Claims Adjusters Statute, essentially not requiring a license. 

Glassbytes reports that the Insurance Department’s reasoning for the exemption is that glass claims are “simple claims” and often automated. 

“In addition, the Insurance Committee testified that consumer protections were provided if an insurer denied a claim and that consumers could reach out to the Insurance Department,” the article says. 

It does not provide details on what type of consumer protections the Insurance Department would be provided.

A Rhode Island bill, SB2440, passed by the state’s legislature earlier this month, won’t change existing law for auto glass businesses. 

The bill keeps insurance companies from refusing the use of OEM parts for any vehicle between 48 and 72 months after the date of manufacture if the repairer has written consent from the vehicle owner. 

Existing state law already gives owners the same rights for vehicles less than 48 months old. Existing law also exempts replacement of motor vehicle glass, as does SB2440. 

Earlier this year, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation that prohibits an assignment of rights or benefits under a property or casualty insurance policy and further regulates motor vehicle glass repair shops from offering incentivizing insureds or insurance producers in exchange for repairing auto glass insurance claims.

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