Contact:	Caroline Fuller (202) 543-1440 c.fuller@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-07 Feb. 13, 2007

Lott Reintroduces Total Loss Vehicle Data Legislation

ASA Asks Repairers to Contact Senate to Voice Support

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 13, 2007 - U.S. Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., has reintroduced legislation to improve consumer access to passenger vehicle loss data held by insurers. Senate Bill 545 would provide information to consumers regarding vehicles declared "total loss" by insurance companies. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee's Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety Subcommittee, Lott will play a large role in promoting this legislation.

This legislation directs the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require insurance companies to publicly disclose the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date the vehicle is declared "total loss," and a statement explaining why the vehicle is declared "total loss."

The information will be made available to consumers via Internet, e-mail, and popular information databases such as Carfax. Lott stressed the importance of the disclosure of information. "A number of these cars are unsafe and shouldn't be on the roads. And folks are overpaying for vehicles they believe are mechanically sound," said Lott. "To the untrained eye, they appear in good shape. The disclosure my bill requires would allow anyone buying cars to easily identify a rebuilt wreck, even if the title is washed."

S. 545 is especially important post-Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles damaged by the hurricane could be sold across the country as used cars that have been cosmetically altered to appear almost new. Rachel Weintraub, representing the Consumer Federation of America, testified before a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee last year. She said, "The economic impact is staggering: title-related car fraud costs consumers up to an estimated $11.3 billion each year."

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) participated in a total loss vehicle press conference in December 2006 on Capitol Hill. The press conference was held to inform the media and public about the risks associated with flooded and wrecked vehicles. Lott spoke at the press conference to promote his similar total loss legislation, S. 3707, from the 109th Congress.

Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, said, "Consumers, law enforcement and independent repairers benefit from more public disclosure of these total loss vehicles. The technology and information are available. Senator Lott's bill puts the information in the hands that need it in a timely manner. We encourage independent repairers to contact their U.S. senators asking that they co-sponsor Senate Bill 545."

To view the full text of S. 545, visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

###