WASHINGTON (Dec. 8, 2006) — The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is backing bills in the House and Senate designed to inform the public about the risks involved with flooded and wrecked vehicles.
Inspired by the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Senate bill—sponsored by Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss.—would provide information to consumers regarding vehicles declared a “total loss” by insurance companies.
The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to order the disclosure of all information pertaining to the fair market value and safety of vehicles damaged by flood and other disasters.
“Without the knowledge that these vehicles have been submerged, repairers may miss a critical piece of information—such as the airbag system—in their evaluation of the vehicle repair,” said Bob Redding, ASA Washington representative, in support of the bills.
The ASA has posted the full texts of the bills on its legislative Web site, www.takingthehill.com.