Ill. Senate Democrats: Morrison to Provide Options on How to Handle Totaled Vehicles

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news:

Finding out your vehicle is totaled can be a difficult situation and the last thing you want to do is research the cost of each part of your car. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure to require vehicle insurance companies to do that work for you.

"I am committed to increasing transparency between insurance companies and consumers," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "This initiative will save people time and energy during an already trying occurrence."

House Bill 5559 would require auto insurers to provide a description of how the total loss of vehicle determination was made, as well as include any available repair estimates, estimated vehicle salvage value, assessed market value and any other costs or calculations.

Even when a vehicle is determined to be totaled, there could still be repairs that could make the car safe and street legal. This initiative would ensure insurance companies offer these repair options when it's feasible to do so.

"When finding out your car is totaled, it can be difficult to know what the next best step is," said Morrison. "Having all the pertinent information will give people peace of mind about their decision."

House Bill 5559 passed the Senate Insurance Committee Tuesday and moves to the full Senate for further consideration.