---
title: HB 239. Motor vehicles; placement of a special identifying sticker on the windshields of alternative fueled vehicles; require
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb239
cite_as: HB 239, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb239
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb239.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb239/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69844
date: 2026-04-02
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb238.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb240.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 199
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb239.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 239
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-04
last_action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
sponsors:
- John Corbett
- Devan Seabaugh
- Clint Crowe
- David Huddleston
- Lauren McDonald
text_version: Comm Sub
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB239/2025
upstream_id: 1955654
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- auto insurance claims
- repair facility choice
- insurance regulation
- consumer protection
---
# HB 239. Motor vehicles; placement of a special identifying sticker on the windshields of alternative fueled vehicles; require
## Text
The House Committee on Motor Vehicles offers the following substitute to HB 239:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 34 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
motor vehicle accident reparations, so as to provide for claims processing of repairs under
motor vehicle liability insurance policies; to provide for certain disclosures; to provide for
private causes of action; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 34 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicle
accident reparations, is amended by revising Code Section 33-34-6, relating to selection of
motor vehicle repair facility, as follows:
"33-34-6.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, no insurer shall
represent to a person making a claim under a motor vehicle insurance policy that the use
of or the failure to use a particular repair facility or particular repair facilities may result
in the nonpayment of a claim All policies of motor vehicle liability insurance issued in this
state shall allow a claimant under such policy to select the repair facility to provide repairs
covered under such policy. An insurer shall disclose when such insurer has a financial
interest in a repair facility. No insurer shall represent that the use of or failure to use a
repair facility may affect payments or repairs.
(b) No insurer shall require a person making a claim under a motor vehicle insurance
policy to use a particular repair facility or particular repair facilities in order to settle a
claim if the person making the claim can obtain the repair work on the motor vehicle at the
same cost from another source An insurer providing coverage under a motor vehicle
liability insurance policy issued in this state shall, within three business days of receipt of
any claim of supplemental damage, complete an inspection of the damaged motor vehicle
in person or review the claim and provide a written response and, within ten business days,
provide a written decision indicating the line items, parts, or operations that are approved,
denied, or altered.
(c) Any claimant aggrieved by a violation of the provisions of this Code section shall have
a private cause of action for injunctive relief, treble damages, and any other relief available
under law."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A House committee substitute for HB 239 would let Georgia drivers choose their own repair shop after a car accident and require insurers to meet strict deadlines when reviewing damage claims.
### Plain-language summary
Current Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-34-6) limits what insurers can tell claimants about using specific repair shops. This substitute rewrites that section entirely. It guarantees that anyone filing a claim under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy can pick the repair facility of their choice, and it bars insurers from suggesting that using or not using a certain shop will affect whether a claim gets paid.
The bill also requires insurers to disclose any financial interest they have in a repair facility. When a claimant reports additional (supplemental) damage, the insurer must inspect the vehicle in person or review the claim within three business days, then issue a written decision within ten business days listing which repairs, parts, or labor items are approved, denied, or changed. Anyone harmed by a violation of these rules can sue for an injunction, triple damages, and other legal relief. The bill repeals conflicting laws but does not state a separate effective date, so it would take effect under Georgia's standard rules once signed.
### What it does
- Guarantees that a person filing a motor vehicle insurance claim can choose which repair facility fixes their car.
- Prohibits insurers from suggesting that using or avoiding a particular repair shop will affect whether a claim is paid.
- Requires insurers to disclose if they have a financial stake in a repair facility they recommend.
- Sets deadlines: insurers must inspect or review a supplemental damage claim within three business days and issue a written decision within ten business days.
- Creates a private right to sue for injunctive relief and triple (treble) damages if an insurer violates these rules.
### Who it affects
Georgia drivers who file motor vehicle insurance claims, auto insurance companies operating in the state, and auto body repair shops, especially those with financial ties to insurers, are all directly affected by these new claims-handling rules.
### Why it matters
Drivers dealing with car repairs after an accident would gain more control over where their vehicle gets fixed and clearer, faster answers from insurers about supplemental damage. Insurers would face firm deadlines and new disclosure duties, with lawsuits and triple damages as a possible consequence for violations.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 33-34-6(a) to guarantee claimants the right to choose their own repair facility and to require insurers to disclose financial interests in repair shops.
- Section 1 rewrites subsection (b) to require insurers to inspect or review supplemental damage claims within three business days of receipt.
- Subsection (b) also requires a written decision within ten business days identifying approved, denied, or altered repair items.
- New subsection (c) creates a private cause of action allowing claimants to seek injunctive relief, treble damages, and other available remedies for violations.
- Section 2 repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-02-04)
- Last action: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (2026-04-02)
- Sponsors: John Corbett, Devan Seabaugh, Clint Crowe, David Huddleston, Lauren McDonald
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69844
> The history, votes, and amendments (199 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb239.md?full=1