California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 988, the California Motor Vehicle Glass Act, on September 27, 2026, providing protections to insureds.
The bill disallows insurers from requiring insureds to use a specific motor vehicle glass repair shop or recalibration facility in order to receive claim payments or other benefits. A policyholder has the right to select their preferred motor vehicle glass repair shop.
Insurers and producers may not mislead or coerce an insured into using a specific repair shop, but they can provide recommendations and can maintain a network of motor vehicle glass repair shops.
Motor vehicle glass repair shops may not offer a rebate, gift, cash, coupon, bonus, or any other incentive to an insured in exchange for making a claim under a motor vehicle insurance policy for the repair or replacement of damaged motor vehicle glass. Repair shops also may not charge unreasonably high prices when taking into consideration their geographic location.
A person or business in violation of the act may be charged $500 for the first violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation.
The bill can be found here.
Ray Sugrim
Ray Sugrim is an Insurance Editor with FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and Arc Network. Ray is responsible for helping develop and edit content for subscribers. Ray is a St John’s University graduate with a degree in Risk Management & Insurance and is a CPCU candidate.