Florida restricts use of aftermarket parts

Florida shops can no longer use nonOEM crash parts unless they can prove the parts are of like kind and quality (LKQ), according to a law now being enforced by the state's Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Bob Crawford.

The statute, passed in July 1993, makes it illegal for insurers to require the use of generic parts that are not LKQ. In a notice sent to all of Florida's body shops in mid-April, Crawford asked shop owners to report "any attempt by insurance companies to force the shops to use inferior crash parts:' Such an action will trigger an investigation by Crawford's office and a referral to the Florida Department of Insurance, according to the notice. Even …