Auto Glass Provision Draws Opposition
by Seth Maiman
Concerns have been raised about an auto glass provision in a model insurance bill, several state legislative proposals and proposed legislation in multiple states.
This provision would prohibit a motor vehicle glass repair shop from taking on an insurance-paid repair or replacement job until the glass shop has received a claim or referral number for the work.
Legislation Inclusion
The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) included the controversial provision in its Motor Vehicle Glass Model Act as Motor Vehicle Glass Repair Claims and Practices, Section 5(A)(2).
Several state legislative provisions include the same or similar language. The provision first appeared in Kentucky’s 2024 auto glass law. At the time, Kentucky Representative Michael Sarge Pollock sponsored the NCOIL Model Bill adopted by the Council in 2025.
After the NCOIL Property & Casualty Committee adopted the model bill in February 2025, NCOIL president, New York Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, introduced legislation based on the model bill in her state. That bill passed the State Assembly and Senate in June 2025, but hadn’t gone to the Governor as of press time.
The Iowa legislation, SF 573, also included this language. The bill was enacted on May 6, 2025, and took effect July 1, 2025.
New York is on its way to ratifying a law mandating that shops get claim numbers before providing service.
The Consequences
The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) posted an advisory on social media for those doing business in New York. It invited shops to immediately communicate any concerns about “anti-competition” and “anti-small business” provisions that might prevent them from being enacted into New York law.
AGSC said that while the bill purports to provide “consumer protection” for replacing and recalibrating automotive safety glass, it contains provisions that would hurt many auto glass companies doing business there.
The Council said that Section 3(c) of the bill could be an obstacle for small glass shops, since those claim numbers often cannot be obtained promptly or without going through a third-party administrator owned or associated with a competitor company.
The New York provision, NY A 6943(B Sec 3(c), says, “A motor vehicle glass facility shall not contract with a person for repair or replacement of damaged safety glass or motor vehicle until the motor vehicle glass repair shop has received a claim or referral number for insurance-covered damage.”
AGSC also noted that the bill carried a $2,500 civil penalty per violation. That’s enough money to significantly hurt a small business.
Those concerned that the provision will place them at a competitive disadvantage now fear that other states will consider and adopt the model legislation.
Seth Maiman is the director of public affairs for the Auto Glass Safety Council.
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