An Act establishing the fair calculation of labor rates paid by insurance companies to auto repairers in the Commonwealth

HD 2518 establishes a process for setting minimum hourly labor rates that Massachusetts insurance companies must pay to registered auto repair shops for collision repairs. It requires repair shops to submit 100 sequential customer-paid repair orders or 60 days of such orders to calculate their average hourly rate, which becomes the insurer's minimum payment rate after 30 days (subject to insurer audit and dispute). Insurers can challenge the rate, but repairers can appeal to the Commissioner of Insurance if they disagree, with insurers bearing the burden of proof in disputes. The bill also excludes these repair rates from cost-control programs under other insurance laws. This directly affects insurance companies, repair shops, and vehicle owners seeking repairs covered by insurance.