Lawmakers seek data from entities amid irregularities in auto inspection payments.

Rep. Ángel Fourquet Cordero

By THE STAR STAFF

Reps. Ángel Fourquet Cordero and Estrella Martínez Soto have formally requested detailed information from the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration and the Compulsory Liability Insurance provider, citing concerns over potential irregularities in inspection payments and the issuance of vehicle inspection stickers (“marbetes” in Spanish) at the Yabucoa Auto Service inspection center, identified as HM 0101.

The lawmakers asked both agencies to clarify whether any automobile accident claims or related cases involve marbetes issued by that specific center. They also sought details on the remedies available to injured individuals who may be adversely affected if their compulsory insurance or corresponding coverage was not properly activated.

“Given the questions that have emerged, our duty is to ensure that no citizen is left unprotected after an accident because they trusted an authorized inspection center,” Fourquet stated. “We want to know whether any claims are linked to marbetes issued by this center and what protections are available for drivers and accident victims.”

The letters additionally request information on the applicable laws governing motor vehicle accidents, the number of claims — if any — associated with marbetes issued by HM 0101, and the potential legal consequences for an inspection center that fails to remit the required insurance payments mandated by law.

Martínez emphasized that the purpose of the inquiry is to ensure transparency and protect individuals who may have relied on inspection centers that did not follow proper procedures.

“It is important to understand what happens when someone buys a marbete trusting that everything is in order, and then an accident occurs,” Martínez said. “We want to know what remedies exist for injured parties if the marbete or insurance turns out to be fraudulent or was not properly processed.”

The information requests were made under Act 141‑2019, the Law of Transparency and Expedited Procedure for Access to Public Information, which requires government entities to provide requested information within 10 business days.

Once the information is received, the legislators said they plan to evaluate potential next steps to ensure that drivers and accident victims receive the legal protections to which they are entitled.

The requests follow allegations that more than 60 inspection centers islandwide have issued marbetes in an illegal fashion.