MENU
SEARCHBOSTON, MA --- The Massachusetts Legislature's House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would prohibit an auto insurer from requiring, suggesting, requesting or recommending any appraisals or repairs be made at a specified registered repair facility.
BOSTON, MA --- The Massachusetts Legislature's House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would prohibit an auto insurer from requiring, suggesting, requesting or recommending any appraisals or repairs be made at a specified registered repair facility.
The legislation now awaits a vote by the state Senate.
The bill includes some of the strongest anti-steering language ever drafted and addresses not only auto body steering, but glass company steering and rental car steering issues as well.
In addition, the bill would authorize Massachusetts repair shops to send, and insurers to approve, supplemental requests via the Internet rather than the current personal inspection requirement.
If passed, the legislation would also make it illegal for insurers to offer to warranty or guarantee repairs. In addition, the bill would require repair shops to increase their equipment requirements for licensure and require the commissioner of insurance to conduct a "market conduct" study by the end of this year.
The legislation, House Bill 5056, is strongly backed by the Massachusetts Auto Body Association.
"Massachusetts recently passed laws promoted by Gov. Patrick to encourage competition in the insurance industry," said MABA spokesman Stephen Regan. "House Bill 5056 is the final piece of that puzzle and will complement the governor's initiative by creating more competition, more products, and better services by collision repairers and other segments of our industry."
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Fleet managers are under pressure to reduce accidents, control costs, and improve operational efficiency. See how advanced vehicle safety technologies are helping fleets operate smarter and safer.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
