Arizona S.B. 1155 Auto Glass Bill Has Failed

Members of Arizona Auto Glass Association and the Safety Glass Association of Arizona  recently lobbied for improvements to the law that would protect auto insurance customers from frustrating, lengthy delays by their insurance company to approve claims for windshield repair.  In January of 2018, Arizona S.B. 1155 was introduced with the hopes of protecting auto insurance customers and expediting the auto windshield repair process to ensure automobile safety.  GlassBytes provided a helpful description of what the bill proposed, “‘The proposed changes will protect customers/consumers who use their insurance, to repair or replace their broken glass, when going through an independent auto glass company,’ says the Arizona Auto Glass Association in an email. “Some of the insurance companies and their TPA’s delay the inspections for too long. As you all know, it is against the law in Arizona to drive with a damaged windshield because, it is unsafe for the insured to drive and as you all know we live in the ‘Asteroid Belt’ where more rocks hit more windshields than any other place in the nation. SB 1155 would require timely inspections of glass claims and strengthen the current anti-steering laws.”

Despite it being illegal in Arizona to drive with a damaged windshield, and the despite the fact that it would expedite the repair process which improves safety and protects individuals from being in violation of the law, the recent Arizona Senate Bill S.B. 1155 Auto Glass Bill did not pass. While the bill had many supporters, it also had many, particularly in the insurance industry, that did not support the bill.  At this time there are no plans to move forward with or reintroduce S.B.1155 in the future.  If you experience a chipped, cracked, or broken windshield, it is important to take your automobile to a qualified, experienced, and trustworthy auto glass repair shop as soon as possible so that you are not in violation of Arizona law and so that you can get back to safely driving your car as soon as possible.