48.30.340 - Auto glass repair -- Restrictions on insurer-owned facilities.

Auto glass repair — Restrictions on insurer-owned facilities.

(1) A person in this state has the right to choose any glass repair facility for the repair of a loss relating to motor vehicle glass.

     (2) An insurer or its third-party administrator that owns in whole or in part an automobile glass repair facility that is processing a claim limited only to auto glass shall:

     (a) Verbally inform the person making the claim of loss, of the right provided under subsection (1) of this section, at the time information regarding the automobile glass repair or replacement facilities is provided; and

     (b) Verbally inform the person making the claim of loss that the third-party administrator is an entity separate from the insurer that has a financial arrangement to process automobile glass claims on the insurer's behalf.

     (3) An insurer or its third-party administrator that owns an interest in an automobile glass repair or replacement facility shall post the following notice in each of its repair facilities:


     "THIS AUTOMOBILE GLASS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT FACILITY IS OWNED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY (NAME OF INSURER OR INSURER'S THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR). YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED UNDER WASHINGTON LAW TO SEEK REPAIRS AT ANY AUTOMOBILE GLASS REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT FACILITY OF YOUR CHOICE."


     The notice must be posted, in not less than eighteen point font, prominently in a location in which it is likely to be seen and read by a customer. If the automobile glass repair or replacement facility is mobile, the notice must be given to the person making the claim verbally by the insurer or its third-party administrator prior to commencement of the repair or replacement.

     (4) A person making a claim of loss whose motor vehicle is repaired at an automotive glass repair or replacement facility subject to the notice requirements of this section may file a complaint with the office of the insurance commissioner.

     (5) This section does not create a private right or cause of action to or on behalf of any person.

[2007 c 74 § 1.]