The New York State Senate announced Nov. 19 that it passed anti-steering legislation, which prohibits auto insurers from requiring the insured to use designated rental vehicle companies or locations.

The legislation aims to regulate auto insurers and provide more disclosure to consumers. The bill has the following three main sections:

• Prohibit insurers providing rental vehicle reimbursement coverage from requiring an insured to utilize a particular rental vehicle company, rental vehicle company location or a particular concern.

• Require insurers to disclose to the insured that the insured has the right to utilize any particular rental vehicle company, rental vehicle company location or a particular concern.

• Require insurers writing automobile insurance that includes rental vehicle reimbursement coverage to inform the consumer of his or her rights granted under this section in a separate written document.

Senate Bill 4651 was sponsored by Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, 22nd District), who is a member of the senate's insurance committee.

"It is appropriate that the legislature passed a bill I sponsored in order to benefit business and protect the consumers. Those distressed after suffering a car accident do not need to be misinformed, over charged or taken advantage of in their possibly fragile state," Golden said.  

For more information about SB 4651, contact Sen. Golden's office at (718) 238-6044.