Rhode Island General Laws Title 27. Insurance § 27-29-4.4. Auto body repair labor rate surveys

(i) “Auto body labor rate survey” is an analysis of information gathered from auto body repair shops regarding the rates of labor that repair shops charge in a certain geographic area.

(ii) “Prevailing auto body labor rate” means the rate determined and set by an insurer as a result of conducting an auto body labor rate survey in a particular geographic area and used by insurers as a basis for determining the cost to settle automobile property damage claims.

(iii) “Independent auto body repair facility” means any auto body repair facility that does not have a formal agreement and/or written contract with an insurer to provide auto body repair services to insureds and/or claimants.

(iv) “Direct repair program” means any methods through which an insurer refers, suggests, or recommends a specific auto body repair facility, with whom the insurer has a formal agreement and/or contract to provide auto body repair services, to insureds and/or claimants.

(v) “Contract rate” means any labor rate to which an auto body repair facility and an insurer have agreed in a formal agreement and/or written contract.

(i) The name and address of each shop surveyed in the labor survey;

(ii) The total number of shops surveyed;

(iii) The prevailing rate established by the insurer for each classification of full collision licensed auto body repair facilities; and

(iv) A description of the formula or method used to calculate or determine the specific prevailing rate reported.

(i) A questionnaire that must be used by all insurers in their labor rate survey;

(ii) Date of reporting; and

(iii) Number or percentage of shops to be surveyed.