Committee advances bill allowing motorists to pick their repair shop after insurance claims

A House committee on Thursday released House Bill 406, which would amend Title 18 of the Delaware Code to extend consumers’ ability to select a repair shop of their choice after an automobile insurance claim beyond the current glass‑repair exception.

Sponsor remarks and testimony focused on strengthening consumer protections and preventing conflicts of interest between insurers and repair shops. Kennedy Cook, speaking on behalf of the Delaware Department of Insurance and Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, told the committee the bill builds on the work of the Auto Insurance Reform Task Force and “will benefit consumers by allowing policyholders to patronize a trusted local business of their choice when repairing their vehicles.”

Committee members who questioned the bill described it as a consumer‑protection measure that increases transparency in the claims process. No in‑person opponents spoke, and there were no virtual commenters recorded for this item.

After a brief procedural motion and roll call, the committee voted to release HB 406 from committee, clearing it to circulate for further consideration.