190.046 Compensation to dealer for work performed under warranty -- "Reasonable compensation" -- Proof.

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190.046 Compensation to dealer for work performed under warranty -- &quot;Reasonable compensation&quot; -- Proof. (1) Notwithstanding the terms of any franchise agreement, each motor vehicle manufacturer or distributor, doing business within this Commonwealth, shall <br>assume all responsibility for and shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless its <br>motor vehicle dealers against any loss, damages, and expenses, including legal <br>costs, arising out of complaints, claims, recall repairs or modifications or factory <br>authorized or directed repairs, or lawsuits resulting from warranty defects, which <br>shall include structural or production defects; defects in the assembly; or design of <br>motor vehicles, parts, accessories; or other functions beyond the control of the <br>dealer, including without limitation, the selection of parts or components for the <br>vehicle. Each manufacturer or distributor shall pay reasonable compensation to any <br>authorized dealer who performs work to repair defects, or to repair any damage to <br>the manufacturer's or distributor's product sustained while the product is in transit to <br>the dealer, when the carrier or the means of transportation is designated by the <br>manufacturer or distributor. Each manufacturer or distributor shall provide to its <br>dealers with each model year a schedule of time allowances for the performance of <br>warranty repair work and services, which shall include time allowances for the <br>diagnosis and performance of warranty work and service time, and shall be <br>reasonable and adequate for the work to be performed. (2) In the determination of what constitutes &quot;reasonable compensation&quot; under this section, the principal factor to be considered shall be the amount of money that the <br>dealer is charging its other customers for the same type service or repair work. <br>Other factors may be considered, including the compensation being paid by other <br>manufacturers or distributors to their dealers for work; and the prevailing amount of <br>money being paid or charged by the dealers in the city or community in which the <br>authorized dealer is doing business. &quot;Reasonable compensation&quot; shall include <br>diagnosing the defect; repair service; labor; parts and administrative and clerical <br>costs. The compensation of a dealer shall not be less than the amount charged by the <br>dealer for like services and parts, which minimum compensation for parts shall be <br>dealer cost plus thirty percent (30%) gross profit, to retail customers for <br>nonwarranty service and repairs, or less than the amounts indicated for work on the <br>schedule of warranty compensation required to be filed by the manufacturer with <br>the commission as a part of the manufacturer's license application by KRS 190.030. (3) A manufacturer or distributor shall not require unreasonable proof to establish &quot;reasonable compensation&quot; or delay reimbursement of payment to the dealer beyond <br>thirty-five (35) days from the submission by mail of a valid warranty claim. If a <br>valid warranty claim is not paid within forty-five (45) days, the dealer may give the <br>manufacturer one (1) copy of the dealer's related repair order bearing the customer's <br>signature, the dealer's signature, the date the work was completed, the vehicle serial <br>number or identification number, the odometer reading, the date of delivery of the <br>vehicle, a list of the parts and supplies used if applicable, a brief general description <br>of the defect, and the amount of money charged the manufacturer or distributor for <br>the work. If, after fifteen (15) days, the valid warranty claim is still not paid, the dealer may deduct a like amount from any moneys due or owing to the manufacturer <br>or distributor. The dealer shall hold the defective part for inspection by the <br>manufacturer or distributor for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days from <br>the time the warranty claim is submitted. The manufacturer or distributor shall not <br>unfairly discriminate against any dealer in the application of warranty, policy, and <br>procedure or deny any valid warranty order claim submitted by a franchised dealer <br>within thirty (30) days from completion of the work or longer if existing <br>manufacturer-dealer relationships apply. Upon the written request of the dealer for <br>valid reasons, the manufacturer shall extend the submission time. Any dispute <br>between the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor shall be subject to the <br>provisions of KRS 190.057. (4) All audits by a manufacturer shall be limited to a period of one (1) year prior to the date of the audit. Effective: February 22, 2000 <br>History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 23, sec. 4, effective February 22, 2000. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 452, sec. 5, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1982 <br>Ky. Acts ch. 373, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 182, <br>sec. 2, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 107, sec. 1. -- Created <br>1972 Ky. Acts ch. 75, sec. 2.