West Virginia Judge Halts Insurer’s Use of Used Parts to Fix New Cars

A Kanawha County judge has granted Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s request for a permanent injunction against an insurance company and a St. Albans body shop owner accused of illegally installing junkyard parts on new vehicles.

The judge on Friday ruled that Liberty Mutual and Greg Chandler — owner of Greg Chandler’s Frame and Body — cannot install used parts on vehicles built within three years of the date of the crash.

McGraw says in a statement that Liberty Mutual admitted in court documents that it had repaired nearly 200 vehicles using junkyard and aftermarket parts in “blatant disregard” of the law.

The court has not yet ruled on the amount of compensation Liberty Mutual will be required to pay its customers or the amount of any civil penalties.

McGraw called it a victory for consumers.