(a)(1) Whenever repairs are necessary to the visible exterior sheet metal or plastic parts of a damaged private passenger motor vehicle, as defined in section 38a-363, any insurer or repairer, as defined in section 14-51, preparing a written estimate of the cost of such repairs shall clearly identify in such estimate each major replacement part to be used which is not manufactured by the original manufacturer of the damaged part in such motor vehicle. For the purposes of this section, “parts” means motor vehicle replacement parts of sheet metal or plastic, which constitute the visible exterior of the vehicle, including inner and outer panels, and which are generally repaired or replaced as the result of a collision.

(2) Attached to any such estimate shall be the following notice, printed in no less than ten-point type:

NOTICE

This repair estimate is based in part on the use of replacement parts which are not made by the original manufacturer of the damaged parts in your motor vehicle.

(3) The insurer or repairer, as the case may be, shall give a copy of such estimate and notice to the person requesting such estimate.

(b) Any violation of the provisions of this section by an insurer shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive insurance practice under section 38a-816. Any violation of the provisions of this section by a repairer shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice under subsection (a) of section 42-110b.

(P.A. 87-334.)

History: Sec. 38-175z transferred to Sec. 38a-355 in 1991.

Cited. 231 C. 707.