Body Shop, Collision & Insurance Repair Rules

RSMo §379.135 took effect August 28, 2026. For property insurance, an insured may not assign policy duties, rights or benefits before or after a covered loss, and a service provider may not solicit or accept an assignment of post-loss insurance benefits. The statute expressly includes providers that inspect, estimate, repair, restore or replace property. It still allows an insurer to make direct payment to a service provider when directed by the insured, subject to the statute and applicable lien interests.

The Massachusetts Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board adopted Advisory Ruling 2026-1 on July 14, 2026. The ruling explains that repair-shop registration no longer depends on employing a licensed damage appraiser, but insurer-involved appraisals, supplemental appraisals and related activity remain subject to 212 CMR 2.00. A shop may retain a licensed appraiser as a subcontractor, but that appraiser must be directly responsible for preparing and negotiating the appraisal.

Massachusetts added General Laws chapter 175 sections 231 and 232 effective July 9, 2026. The new framework creates a permanent auto body labor reimbursement rate advisory board, requires recurring surveys of auto body shops and insurers, and directs the insurance commissioner to hold a rate hearing and establish a minimum statewide or regional auto-body labor reimbursement rate if the survey shows insufficient competition. The first survey must be conducted by January 1, 2027.

Virginia's 2026 Motor Vehicle Glass Act took effect July 1, 2026. Before repairing or replacing damaged motor-vehicle glass, a glass repair shop must notify the customer whether the vehicle has an advanced driver assistance system and, when it does, whether manufacturer-recommended calibration or recalibration is needed, whether the shop intends to perform it to manufacturer specifications, and where the customer should go if the shop will not perform it. When calibration or recalibration is performed, the shop must provide written notice of whether it succeeded and direct the customer to a certified dealer or qualified specialist if it did not.

Under AQCC Regulation 25 Section I.P, beginning May 1, 2026 automotive coatings above the Table 4 VOC limits (e.g., primer and clearcoat 250 g/L, color coat 420 g/L) may not be manufactured, sold or distributed in Colorado, and covered automotive coating facilities in the regulated ozone areas must use Table 4-compliant coatings or 90%-efficient controls.

Oklahoma SB 641 created the Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act effective November 1, 2025. For total-loss vehicles it limits administrative charges, sets maximum daily storage rates, allows higher storage rates in specified circumstances, requires written invoices and requires auto body shops to respond to insurer invoice requests concerning pickup, release or delivery within eight business hours. The statute provides for future rate adjustments by Oklahoma Insurance Department bulletin.

South Dakota Senate Bill 93 enacted SDCL §37-24-50.1. Effective July 1, 2025 under the state's default effective-date rule for regular-session acts, garages, repair shops and body shops may not advertise, promise, offer, pay or rebate all or part of a customer's applicable insurance deductible. A contract tied to a prohibited offer or payment is null and void.

Ohio rule 4775-2-07 took effect February 24, 2025. It allows the repair board to deem a registered operator substantially compliant when required documentation, permits and registrations are in place but newly imposed equipment, training, controls or similar requirements cannot yet be fully implemented.

Rhode Island DBR set January 1, 2025 as the expiration date for specified I-CAR courses that had previously qualified toward auto body technician certification requirements. Those courses can no longer be used to satisfy the listed technician certification categories after that date.

Rhode Island DBR said on December 2, 2024 that because manufacturers no longer issue stand-alone aluminum or high-strength-steel certifications, a shop's manufacturer certification can satisfy the Class A certification requirement when it includes the relevant repair and refinishing training. DBR also described temporary website-listing evidence when the certificate document has not yet been obtained.

EPA’s 2024 chrysotile-asbestos final rule prohibited manufacture, processing, distribution and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos in aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products and certain gaskets beginning November 25, 2024, while allowing already-installed components to remain in use.

Rhode Island Chapter 416 of the 2024 Public Laws took effect October 1, 2024. For vehicles more than 48 months but less than 72 months from manufacture, an insurer may not refuse OEM parts when negotiating repairs if the repairer has the vehicle owner's written consent to install OEM parts.

Iowa Revenue re-adopted Chapter 225 effective August 28, 2024 and changed the body-shop provisions after commenters identified conflicts with the Iowa Code. The current rule distinguishes qualifying resale parts/materials from items consumed by the shop, identifies taxable tools and supplies, and explains invoice treatment for labor, parts, and separately stated materials.