 Four auto industry associations joined forces to encourage lawmakers not to pass model legislation that would endorse the use of salvage airbags in collision-damaged vehicles. The Automotive Service Association (ASA), Society of Collision Repair Specialists The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Property and Casualty Committee is meeting today through Sunday in New Orleans to discuss the model law, which is designed to reduce airbag fraud. While all four associations support the fight against airbag fraud, part of the bill offers a guide on how to use salvage airbags in repaired vehicles. All four associations strongly oppose the use of salvage airbags in repaired vehicles. The ASA has urged collision repairers to contact their state legislators who are members of NCOIL’s Property and Casualty Insurance Committee to oppose NCOIL’s model act regarding auto airbag fraud. Earlier this year, ASA member Harry Moppert, owner of Moppert Brothers Collision Services Group in Morton, Pa., testified before NCOIL’s Property and Casualty Insurance Committee on behalf of ASA in opposition to NCOIL’s Airbag and Crash Parts Model Bills. Here is the unedited version of the joint auto industry statement opposing the model act regarding auto airbag fraud. The signatories appreciate NCOIL’s efforts to combat airbag fraud in an effort to increase the safety of consumers. Although we support remedies to prevent fraud against consumers, our industries currently oppose passage of this model. Specifically, we strongly oppose any elements that may be seen as an endorsement of the use of salvaged airbags. As such, we respectfully recommend the Property and Casualty Insurance Committee not pass this model as currently written. Salvage airbags could compromise the performance of airbag and safety restraint systems found in today’s vehicles. Each airbag is designed to work as part of the overall occupant restraint system in the vehicle for which it was designed and factors such as the design of the seating systems, seat belts, shape of the steering wheel and dashboard are taken into account in the design performance of a particular bag. Repair facilities and salvage yards may not know of specific design changes which may take place even within the same make/model of the vehicle from which it is salvaged and, therefore, airbags may be installed in a vehicle for which it was not designed. Additionally, there is no certifiable evidence demonstrating that salvaged airbags will work properly in a real world crash. Any number of factors can compromise the quality of an airbag after a vehicle is salvaged. Salvage airbags may have been exposed to conditions such as excessive heat or flood damage, and damage can also result from improper removal or handling of the airbag unit. There are no trusted testing procedures to validate the operability or structural integrity of these units, shy of deployment, and no conclusive evidence that these salvaged airbags will operate as consistently or properly as new OEM replacements. The critical safety function of airbags demands the highest degree of assurance regarding part stewardship and installation. Unless it can be definitely demonstrated that salvaged airbags can be properly and reliably installed in motor vehicles, and that their performance in a collision will be safe and acceptable, the parties below cannot support passage of any legislation endorsing the use of salvage airbags. The associated risk for the consumers whom we serve is too great in our mind to gamble with their safety and well being utilizing unproven parts or replacement techniques. | ||
