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Insurance Consumer Advocate Network Applauds Florida's Stand for Consumers

17 April 2000

Insurance Consumer Advocate Network Applauds Florida's Stand for Consumers
    TEMPE, Ariz., April 17 Bob Crawford, Commissioner of the
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, has become the new
"Hero" of honest, legitimate collision repair facilities throughout Florida
and, indeed, across America.  Last Friday, Mr. Crawford issued a "Notice To
Motor Vehicle Repair Shops" which advised collision repair facilities of his
department's intent to enforce the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act, the
Florida Aftermarket Crash Parts Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade
Practices Act.  This effort by Mr. Crawford's department is expected to have a
chilling effect on the auto insurance industry's wide spread practice of
mandating the use of inferior crash parts in the repair of consumer's
vehicles.
    According to the Notice sent out by Mr. Crawford's department ... "It is
illegal in Florida for an insurance company to require the use of aftermarket
crash parts in the repair of an automobile unless the parts are at least equal
in kind and quality to the original parts in terms of fit, quality and
performance."
    Since aftermarket crash parts ... accelerate a repaired vehicle's post-
repair reduction in resale value ... compromise an existing vehicle
manufacturer's warranty ... provide only a convoluted "Pretzel Trail" to
enforce any form of its own warranty ... don't come with an MSDS
(Manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet) on any parts (in violation of OSHA
regulations) ... and have been proven to be inferior in open court ... it is
impossible to define aftermarket crash parts as "Equal in kind and quality to
the original parts."

    Legitimate Collision Repair Facilities throughout America are Grateful ...
the Truth is being heard!

    The nation's leading auto insurer was found guilty of criminal fraud in
October, 1999 for having mandated the use of aftermarket crash parts.  Ever
since then, insurance industry lobbyists have Tripled their efforts to sell to
legislatures those same old position statements that had already been debunked
in open court.
    The most vocal in this renewed "Spin" campaign has been Bob Hums of the
National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII).  The NAII has not only
been fighting potential consumer protection legislation in various states,
they have also filed suit against states that have already passed such
legislation.  In effect, the NAII is trying to enable more than six hundred
(600) insurance companies to continue to engage in activities defined as
illegal by virtue of a Federal Consent Decree entered into by the Department
of Justice and more than One Hundred (100) insurance companies back in 1963.
The Consent Decree to which we refer can be accessed On-line by going
to ... http://www.theccre.com ... clicking on "Know the Law" ... then clicking on
"1963 Consent Decree."
    The Insurance Consumer Advocate Network (I-Can), an on-line effort to
Increase Consumer Awareness, Encourage Consumer Involvement and supported by
legitimate consumer advocates throughout America, has been inviting a free,
open and moderated debate with Insurance Industry advocates.  To date, those
that have been specifically invited have either declined or refused to
respond.  I-Can hopes that some legislative committee chair person or other
such authoritative entity will entertain the idea of Hosting and Moderating a
debate on the Issues of ... After-Market Parts ... Job Steering ... Low-
Balling ... Claims Handling Practices ... Diminished Value Coverage ... or the
necessity of Auto Premium Rate adjustments.  These issues are important in the
lives of Consumers and deserve a reasonable effort to find the Truth.
    Unfortunately, those in the "trenches" who deal with consumers on a daily
basis aren't as well funded as those pushing their insurance industry agenda.
All we ask is that we be allowed to present our documented truths to
legislators around the country in one (or a series of) debate(s).  I-Can has
the capacity to make this event happen as a Virtual Inter-Active Debate
on-line where legislators could attend and participate without ever leaving
their computers.
    Those interested in Sponsoring or Moderating such an event are invited to
contact Dennis Howard through the I-Can web site at ... http://www.ican2000.com .

    by:  Dennis Howard (Executive Director of I-Can)