AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT

HB 5571 amends the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act to increase the damage threshold requiring a licensed appraisal for vehicle repairs from $2,500 to $5,000 and extends the time insurers must complete appraisals from three days to four days. This directly affects car owners filing insurance claims for vehicle damage and auto repair shops handling those claims. The key change requires insurers to use a licensed appraiser (unaffiliated with the repair shop) for claims exceeding $5,000, with the appraisal completed within four business days. The bill does not alter other provisions of the Unfair Claims Practices Act.