9/3/2025 – The Right to Appraisal (RTA) empowers policyholders to dispute unfair insurance claim settlements following car accidents, providing a crucial means for fair appraisal and adequate indemnification. However, as more New Jersey insurance carriers remove or limit the Appraisal Clause in their policies, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is voicing strong support for Senate Bill 4534. This legislation, proposed by Senator Paul Moriarty (D-District 4), aims to require all automotive insurance policies in the Garden State to include the Appraisal Clause.
As highlighted in the August 2025 issue of the association’s New Jersey Automotive magazine discussion, AASP/NJ is committed to preserving the Right to Appraisal. While many shops recognize this vital consumer protection, passing legislation to maintain RTA necessitates educating legislators on its significance.
In an exclusive interview with New Jersey Automotive for its September 2025 issue, Senator Moriarty, who introduced SB 4534 to the 221st Legislature, stated, “The goal behind SB 4534 is to give consumers an equal footing with insurers. Insurers should be advocates for their policyholders, but it does not seem like that’s always the case. Consumers deserve to be protected and should have the right to contest the appraisal that their carrier gives them by hiring their own appraiser and hashing out the details.”
The Senator shared a compelling case of a widow facing a daunting appraisal process after her husband’s passing. With her trusted shop estimating $18,000 in damages, her insurer insisted on a mere $3,500. Thanks to the Appraisal Clause, she was able to secure the necessary funds for a proper repair. “No one should have to deal with this type of dilemma,” Moriarty added.
With extensive experience in consumer advocacy, Moriarty has committed to ensuring that the RTA is understood and supported. He noted, “When it comes to RTA, the more I learned, the more I became convinced that the Legislature needs to take action to correct this issue. SB 4534 is a great first step in the right direction.”
If passed, SB 4534 will empower consumers to challenge their insurance company’s appraisals, ensuring they receive fair compensation for repairs. Moriarty emphasized the importance of education, stating, “Shops need to educate their customers, and both parties should reach out to the senators and assemblypeople representing their districts to educate them about RTA.”
As the Senate Commerce Committee reviews SB 4534, AASP/NJ urges industry professionals and consumers to support this essential legislation. Senator Moriarty encourages constituents to reach out to their local representatives to advocate for the bill, highlighting that many successful legislative initiatives stem from constituent engagement.
Read the entire interview with Senator Moriarty in this month’s New Jersey Automotive, available at grecopublishing.com. Learn more about AASP/NJ at aaspnj.org.
