http://www.glassbytes.com/2015/03/florida-house-bill-669-could-impact-automotive-glass-companies/

Gary Hart
Mar 19, 2015 - 1:51PM

Quote Reply
Re: Call to Action!!!

This bill is strictly targeted at life or health insurance policies. Yes, we are monitoring and talking with our connections in FL, but the sky is not falling, I repeat, the sky is not falling.



Really.....Gary Hart? Maybe your "connections" aren't so connected.

who can we reach out to, to fight against this bill?

I'm wondering if there is more to this than "Gary" said. If it really was Gary after all. Looks like Florida glass shops need to organize and stop this stupid bill from going through. Even if Gary is right and it doesn't directly effect glass shops, who's to say it won't end up effecting them later on.

Ben,
Gary is not right. The insurance companies are getting their clocks cleaned by service providers that not only have guts to stand up to the insurance industry but also the means to fight them in court so they are trying to pay off legislators to make it harder for the little guy.

It is irresponsible of Gary to act like "the sky is not falling".

Easy to stay calm when you have no skin in the game. passing the bill may even help grow the
electronic software bill processing industry.

Each & every Florida Congressman and Senator should be emailed this link while refrencing why they should not support HB669.

http://merlinlawgroup.com/sites/merlinlawgroup/resources/unfair-claims-practices.pdf

Insurance companies have way too much power the way it is and to hog tie consumers with legislation like HB669 is not an answer.

HMMM?? MUST NOT BE THAT BIG OF A DEAL AS THERE ARE NO COMMENTS FROM THE AREA.

From the lack of participation you wouldn't think so, but it is! Most shop owners have no idea what goes on at the state capital or how it may affect them. Every session the insurance companies and their lobbyists as well as Safelite and their lobbyists try to get legislation passed that will prevent glass shops from getting paid anything more than what the insurance companies deem to be fair and reasonable. If HB669 becomes law in any form it will mean that on July 1st 2015 Glass shops, collision shops and anyone in the construction trades will lose their ability to challenge short pays through litigation or through the appraisal process. Even if Auto Glass dodges the bullet this session, it will be one small baby step away from being included next session. Anyone saying this legislation is not potentially catastrophic is not following the situation closely enough. Everyone needs to get up, go to their window and open it, lean out and scream at the top of their lungs......."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!!!" Or at the very least call all of the Representatives on the Regulatory Affairs committee and voice your opposition to House Bill 669. Here is the link to all of the members names: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=2839 This committee is the final committee to review the bill before it goes to the floor of the House for a vote to become law. They meet again next week. With enough opposition it could die in this committee. CALL NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Or get used to getting paid FAR Less than you are or could have been.

There are plenty of glass shops in addition to the restoration, collision repair, etc. already directly involved. The situation is being monitored from the capital and reports come in either hourly or daily.

Believe what you want but plenty is being done. Can more always be done? Sure it can but sometimes too much can cause more harm than good.

If anyone in Florida would like to know what is going on or how they can help, simply email info@iga.org and we will send you the daily digest as necessary or available.

Is that the well thought out official position of the IGA? Too many people voicing their objection to a potentially catastrophic bill becoming law could have a negative effect? If House Bill 669 passes through the Regulatory Affairs committee and makes it to the House floor for a vote there will be no opportunity to voice an objection. Sitting back and hoping that ANYONE other than we ourselves has our best interests at heart is a mistake that could cost us dearly. That may also include the IGA.

I will be in Tallahassee to voice my opinion as well as the opinions of my auto glass shop clients for whom I act as appraiser in pricing disputes on over 1,000 claims every month with insurers. Please contact me through www.autoglassappraisal.com for the facts on the situation.

Facts are facts and at this point conjecture has no place in what is taking place in Florida. The fact is this, A bill that eliminates Florida glass shops from litigating or demanding appraisal is two thirds of the way through the legal trifecta required to bring it to a vote. Without smartly worded input from all interested parties we can well expect to start our new ways of doing business on July 1st. 2015. The glass shops of Florida have to absolutely inundate our representatives and make clear that this bill is anti free market. Auto Glass Appraisal Services has a well sighted target list if you are not sure who needs to hear your voice. Don't let anyone outside Florida looking in dictate to you the severity of what is happening. We are the ones with everything to lose. Enough facts are already in and they clearly show us that all hands on deck are needed to prop up the sky that is quickly descending in our direction. Lets not fear doing too much about a bill that leaves Florida with zero short pay options.

Here is a link that will help everyone understand what is happening in the Florida legislature at this moment. It refers mostly to contractors, but applies to auto glass and collision shops as well. It could happen anywhere!
http://www.saveourhomerights.com/

Very good link. If it is not already too late this IS the time to FIGHT. It does not take a genius to see if this goes through it could have an impact everywhere. For Gary Hart and the IGA to say what they did was completely irresponsible.

IGA if you blow this and fail on this one I believe the IGA will be FINISHED! KA POOT!

The only way to stop this is with BIG numbers. The IGA should have made the call to action. I am not in Florida, but will be contacting people there!

This is a time to fight!

The companion bill 1064 in the Florida Senate is likely going to the Judiciary committee next Wednesday April 15th 2015. Everyone needs to contact the Senators on the Judiciary committee. Here is the link to the committee: http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/JU

Do not underestimate the importance of voicing your opposition to this bill. It has moved through the Banking and Insurance committee by a vote of 8 to 1. It is time to join the fight! No one will help us fight this fight the way we need to.