Though Oklahoma recently revised a piece of legislation opposed by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the organization is maintaining criticism of the new bill, claiming that it still imposes caps on storage fees for repair shops.
ASA spoke out against Senate Bill (SB) 1741 in a recent press release, arguing that it still contains the same problems as its predecessor, SB 1853. While some provisions found in SB 1853 were removed, SB 1741 will still place a limit on what shops can charge for storing vehicles.
SB 1741’s guidelines are as follows:
- Motorcycles, automobiles, or light trucks up to 20 feet in length may be charged a maximum of $24 per day for outdoor storage, and $39 for indoor.
- Single vehicles or a combination of vehicles over 20 feet in length but less than 30 feet in length have a cap of $32 for outdoor storage and $47 for indoor.
- Single vehicles or a combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and up to 8 feet in width would be $39 a day for outdoor storage, and $55 for indoor.
- Single vehicles or a combination of vehicles over 30 feet in length and over 8 feet in width would be $55 outdoors and $70 indoors.
ASA argued that rather than protecting consumers, the implementation of these rules would enable insurers to further extend the time needed for repairs and pass the burden of that cost onto shops for timeframes out of their control.
The organization is encouraging anyone in Oklahoma to utilize its Taking the Hill advocacy platform to contact their local representatives about the issue.
“Many repairers have had to increase storage fees in recent years because insurance companies are taking longer to complete their claims process, leaving vehicles sitting pointlessly in the shop,” said ASA Board of Directors Chairman Scott Benavidez. “These vehicles–especially electric vehicles–take up valuable space in shops and can prevent facilities from accepting other repair jobs.”
