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NSF Parts Certification - One and a Half Years Later
Closing in on 1,000 certified parts, program now moving to sheet metal, plastic and lighting parts.
Ameriprise Ins Launches Online Claims for Non-DRP Shops
New 'Shop of Choice' program designed to ease repair process through out of network shops.
SCRS to Publish Insurer Policies on Aftermarket Parts
Society surveys major insurers for policy on certified, non-certified and OEM usage.
CIC Participants Want Information Providers to Lead on Communication Standards
Concern that slow adoption of industry-developed electronic communications methods are caught in a chicken-or-egg dilemma.
North State v. Progressive Decision Mirrors Recent
California Steering Ruling
Judge finds insurers can be sued for damages caused by
steering, allows case to proceed.
Allstate Pushing Cycle Time with New DRP Mandates
Repairers must guarantee delivery dates and provide
extended hours.
CCC ONE Outage Disrupts Shop Estimating
Repairers across the country unable to write estimates
for hours.
Crash Tests Show Consequences of Improper Repairs
Study shows methods considered competent only 10 years ago can result in an unsafe repair today.
MN Auto Glass Co Wins $400,000 in Underpaid Claims
Case
Central issue: what constitutes "competitive price," and
who dictates that price?
CA Appellate Court Holds Insurers Can be Sued for Steering
Judge fears precedent may lead to onslaught of insurance
related lawsuits.
Texas Dept of Ins Repeats Warning to Auto Insurers
Commissioner says despite earlier warning, steering and
artificially low reimbursement rates remain an issue.
Montana Governor Signs Estimating Bill
Bill prohibits insurers from selectively ignoring repair
operations identified by estimating systems.
State Farm to Take a Second Crack at Electronic
Parts Ordering
DRP shops notified last week that a new electronic parts
ordering initiative is about to begin.
CA Seeks Consumer Restitution Powers for
Ins Commissioner
Legislation would grant power to order restitution for
overpaid premiums or underpaid claims without going to court.
EPA to Shops: Don' Let Passed Deadline Prevent
Compliance
Collision Industry Conference: EPA rep advises attendees,
aftermarket parts industry presents their own test results.
California Bill May Up the Ante on Airbag Fraud
Defines new crime for failing to "fully restore" airbag
to original operating condition.
Japan Disaster Impacts Parts and Paint
Immediate supply interruptions are minimal, but many
unknowns remain.
California Court Rules Insurer May Force Repair
Option
Court declares that choice to repair, or settle in cash,
is solely up to the insurer.
Shops Making Smooth Transition to Water
The argument for an East Coast waterborne rule, and
comments from those who have already made the switch.
Massachusetts Bill Seeks State-Set Labor Rate
Supporters hope third time's the charm for unique
proposal to set a state minimum labor rate.
Texas Introduces DRP Full Disclosure Legislation
Unique bill requires insurers to disclose to consumers,
shops exactly how DRP policies differ.
PCI Sues to Declare RI Anti-Steering Law
Unconstitutional
Insurance group uses commercial free speech argument to
stop enforcement of anti-steering law.
LKQ Reports Record Results for 2010, Credits DRP
Strength
Insurer competition and pressure to lower costs is
benefitting LKQ's parts business.
Progressive Wins Summary Judgment in Blue Ash Case
Decision not the end for independent shops suing to
change insurer's claims handling practices.
Texas Ins Department Suggests Stronger DRP Regulations
Suggestions include stronger insurer disclosure
requirements to consumers and repairers.
New York Legislature to Consider Repair Bills
The 2011 session opens with
several bills of interest to collision repairers.
The Future of NACE
Discussion with ASA President Ron Pyle offers insight on
the direction of NACE in years to come.
Florida Appeals Court Rules In Favor of Public
Adjusters
Collision repair issues echoed in decision to reverse ban
on adjuster solicitation.
Progressive v North State: Coccaro Not Guilty,
Again
After second trial, jury finds NY shop owner innocent of
insurer claims of fraud.
Ford Brings More Test Results to CIC
Full-car crash tests confirm that inferior parts could
affect airbag timing and deployment.
Rebuildable Salvage Vehicles Banned in Australia
First of its kind law makes all total loss vehicles
permanently ineligible for re-registration.
NY Association Reminds Repairers of Aftermarket
Parts Regulations
State holds insurers accountable for performance of
aftermarket parts specified for repair.
Defining Like Kind and Quality
What does it mean exactly for an aftermarket part to be
equivalent to OEM?
Research Report: Aftermarket Parts, Salvaged
Airbags OK
Institute study finds no compelling safety rationale for
restricting use of alternative parts.
Access and Use of Shop Data Raises Privacy Concerns
Aftermarket parts not the only subject of discussion at
recent CIC meeting.
TX Dept of Ins Reminds Insurers of State Steering Laws
Insurance Commissioner expresses concern that current
insurance practices may be in violation of unfair claims handling laws.
State Farm to Introduce New Performance Rating System for Select Service
Repairers
Insurer rolling out credit score-like system that
reflects a shop's key performance measurements.
Ford Brings Engineering Test Results to Aftermarket Structural Parts
Debate
Carmaker presents test results at CIC Chicago that raise
red flags about aftermarket structural parts and occupant safety.
Insurers, Repairers Wage Public Battle Over Independent Appraisal Law
The gloves came off in Rhode Island in a media fight to
sway consumer opinion.
Boyd Group to Acquire True2Form for $18 Million
Interview with True2Form president Rex Dunn and Gerber
president and COO Tim O'Day.
RI Supreme Court Overturns Labor Rate Survey Decision
Court rules that a labor rate survey should not be the
only determinant in calculating prevailing labor rates for auto body.
Class Action Filed Against CCC for Total Loss Valuations
Suit claims CCC fabricates total loss vehicle values to
save insurers money.
Delaware Publishes Proposed Low-VOC Paint Regulations
Delaware may become the first state on the East Coast to
begin the transition to waterborne.
California DOI Issues Memo on Aftermarket Parts Regulations
Department reminds insurers of legal responsibilities
when it comes to specifying aftermarket parts.
Fireworks at Collision Industry Conference
Technical presentation on crash parts cancelled under
threat of legal action.
PA Senate Resolution Calls for Steering Investigation
Senator sponsors measure after experiencing insurer
steering following a car accident.
News Analysis- Aftermarket Structural Parts
Pulling untested parts from the shelves is a move in the
right direction- that shouldn't have been necessary.
 Keystone
Crash Tests Aftermarket Bumpers
Company crash tested real cars with aftermarket bumper
reinforcements at 35 mph to see if occupant protection is compromised
by non-OEM replacements.
MetLife Drops Aftermarket Structural Parts
Another top national insurer officially suspends the use
of aftermarket structural parts until their safety can be established.
GEICO Drops Use of Aftermarket Safety Parts
Effective immediately GEICO policy is OEM-only for bumper
reinforcements and related safety parts.
Shop-Insurer Relations, Non-OEM Parts Dominate CIC
Parts patent protection, aftermarket parts and DRP
program requirements all received much attention in Palm Springs.
Aftermarket Structural Parts
Raising More Red Flags
Serious concerns about consumer safety and compromised
crashworthiness surround the emerging use of some aftermarket structural
parts.
RI Clarifies Definition of
Insurer Interference in Steering Case
Allstate fined $5000 for unfair business practices. State
authority clarifies the kind of activities that are considered
interference with a customer's choice of shop.
East Coast States Move Toward Waterborne Paint Regulation
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regulatory group has formally
adopted the California plan to reduce collision industry emissions.
Shops Win $15 mil Verdict
Against The Hartford
Association now seeks injunction to stop unfair labor
rate suppression practices.
California Appeals Court Rejects Claims of DRP Conspiracy
Court rules on Allstate and Progressive DRP operation and
labor rate surveys. Finds no price fixing- just buying and selling with
an agreement on prices.
LKQ Sees Alternative Parts Usage Beginning to Leap
CEO says 2009 growth rate of alternative parts usage may
be double that of previous years.
Civil Conspiracy Added to Charges Against
Progressive
Amended complaint describes insurer's employment of
unlicensed body shops as a conspiracy to deceive its policyholders.
California Assembly:
Hayashi Finds Little Auto Body Fraud
Insurance department and BAR testimony confirm that auto
body fraud just isn't that prevalent.
CCC's New Prompt: Why a Two-Tenths Deduction Costs
Over $50 on an Estimate
An explanation of Pathways' new refinish calculations,
and why that .2 deduction reduces your estimate by more than 8 or
9 dollars.
American Family Loses Appeal in $17 Mil
Aftermarket Parts Case
Case also cites insurer's routine failure to include
required repair procedures on its estimates.
Insurance Antitrust Exemption Up for Review in
Europe
Lawmakers must decide whether sufficient reason still
exists to justify a continued antitrust exemption for insurers.
Regional Data Disputes Conventional Wisdom About
Labor Rates
Debunking the argument that labor rate differences don't
really have much of a net result on overall repair costs.
Connecticut Legislators Consider Collision Repair
Bills
Testimony heard on new proposals to prevent steering,
control supplement authorization and change total loss calculations.
NY Insurance Department Uncovers Steering
Violations
Comprehensive 19 month investigation uncovers several
apparent violations of NY insurance law.
Estimating Systems Audit: Model Changes for 2009
How much do labor and refinish times change after
estimating systems add new and updated car models?
CCC Reinstates Bumper Refinish Overlap Deduction
Controversial calculation returns to Pathways
estimating system less than a year after being removed.
Progressive Insurance v. North State Dismissed
Trial ends before defense even presented their case.
Mitchell CCC Merger May Still be Months Away
Mitchell comments on Federal Trade Commission
extending its review of the merger.
Is the Collision Repair Industry Recession Proof?
We asked a few high profile industry members to
weigh-in on the question with the benefit of their experience.
New York Says Not Illegal for Repairers to Rebate Deductibles
State lawyers find there is nothing inherently
fraudulent about a deductible rebate.
Treasury Blueprint for Regulatory Reform May Mean
Less Regulation
Along with creating a consumer protection division,
Treasury favors a move toward the hotly debated concept of
"principles-based" regulation.
Saving the Environment Can Save Your Shop Money
Start implementing best practices to reduce costs, save
the environment and protect employees with this new free tool.
Consumer Survey of Progressive Claims Finds Faster and Cheaper
Not Better
Noted research firm finds that Progressive
Concierge system has second-highest repair failure rate in the
industry.
Former DRP Rep Sentenced in Connection with Shop Extortion
Chicago-area insurance rep admitted taking monthly
payments from shops seeking to maintain good standing in DRP
program.
Audatex Reports Down-Trend in Total Loss Frequency
New analysis refutes long standing belief that
total-losses are still on the rise.
CCC Announces New Flexible Parts Refinish Calcs at CIC
Also at CIC, State Farm hints that parts procurement
program program may lead to towing and rental deals.
Rhode Island Mandates Complete Use of Estimating Guides
A new law took effect Tuesday that says insurers must use
estimating systems "in their entirety."
Rhode Island Sees Labor Increases Following New Survey Regulations
Results of first state-mandated labor rate survey are in.
Some insurers raised rates significantly, others ignoring the new law.
Southern California
DRP Manager Accused of Taking Bribes
Attorney involved with the incident believes it is
not an isolated case.
EPA Completes Draft of Proposed Paint Regulation
Long awaited rule adds new requirements for spray booths,
spray guns, ongoing training and annual reporting for every repair
facility in the country.
State Farm to Test Electronic Parts Ordering through Select Service
State Farm on Friday released initial details of long
rumored test of parts ordering program.
Message at I-CAR Event Clear: Need for Training Greater than Ever
While student units declined and the non-profit industry
training organization reports a financial loss, incoming chair stresses
that changing technology means the need for training remains.
CIC Looks at Cost of Supplements, Ethical Issues at
Orlando Meeting
Committees detail cost of processing supplements, update
on estimating database issues, assist with ethics survey and learn how
to motivate the next generation of employees.
Allstate Loses Court Appeal to Strike State Insurer-Owned Shop Ban
Judges affirm earlier decision that Texas law banning
insurer-owned shops should stand.
Finding, Hiring and Developing the Right Shop Manager
Some planning and forethought can help avoid the very
high cost of hiring the wrong person while retaining the right one.
MQVP Parts Certification Program Packs It In
MQVP filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 18 and will
liquidate its assets.
Insurers Launch Campaign to Kill Fair Conduct Law
Just months after the legislation was signed, insurers
appeal to public opinion to scrap the law.
CIC Orlando Plans a Look at Improving Relations
Unfair claims practices, insurance relations, vehicle
repairability and retaining employees all featured at upcoming CIC.
A System Proposal to Produce the One Price Estimate
One price estimates could end much wasteful debate over
estimating details such as paint caps, blend times, and the Gap.
Can CIC Really Improve Insurer-Repairer Relations?
Michael Condon, a 33 year insurance industry veteran,
identifies some common ground between insurers and repairers that may
lead to better relations.
Judge Rules Claims Against Progressive will Stand
in $40 Mil Steering
Suit
Judge disagrees with Progressive argument that NY law
protects them from steering related law suits.
Rhode Island Sends Crash Parts Disclosure Bill
to Governor
Bill moves to the Governor just 10 days after Senate
approval.
California Senate Committee OKs New BAR Chief
BAR chief scrutinized for allowing Progressive to operate
Concierge without repairer license.
Rhode Island Senate Approves OEM Crash Parts
Bill
Bill requires consumer notice that insurers must pay
for OEM parts if the vehicle owner selects them.
Federal Right to Repair Act Reintroduced in US House
Harshly critical Georgia congressman says bill is
about parts design information, not service information.
Both Sides Call for Grassroots Action on Wisconsin Anti-Steering
Bills
Called "professional suppression" by insurer
alliance, two measures cover multiple aspects of insurer steering issue.
Compliance with New OSHA Cr(VI) Regulations Deadline
May 30
The process of compliance with new OSHA Hexavalent
Chromium regulations does not have to be difficult, but needs to be
done.
American Family Taking Steps to Improve Relationship with Shops
Top ten auto insurer drops third party auditor
Solera, begins research to accept estimates from any system.
One Hundred-Thirteen Industry Women Speak with One Voice
The solutions offered at the recent women's
industry conference offer benefits for all employees, not just
women.
National Five Star Shop Rating System Proposed in Canada
Could Canada have the right idea for a national
standard? Latest proposal provides consumers with readily understandable
rating system.
Oregon Senate Approves Anti-Steering Measure
Bill requires insurers to acknowledge in writing that
they, rather than consumer, chose the shop.
Shop Insurer Relations - Fact or Friction?
Much of the day to day friction between insurers and
repairers should not need endless legislation, lawsuits, meetings and
conference calls to resolve. SCRS Executive Director Dan Risley says
"enough is enough."
CIC Continues Focus on Estimating Practices, Database Issues
Collision Industry Conference participants call for
change in the direction the industry is taking.
Mitchell Report Shows Declining Effective Materials Rates
Repairers suggest data points toward impact of "paint
caps". Telephone interview with SCRS's Dan Risley and online shop rates
calculator.
Senate Commerce Committee Considers Federal Regulation of Insurers
Mississippi AG testifies that states are unable to
properly regulate insurers and the insurers are "running wild."
Top Ten Ways to Grow Your PBE Business
Forget about "In Search of Excellence" because all
the business excellence in the world will do you no good if your
customer fails, and firing a low performing customer can be a good
business move.
Antitrust Commission Sees Little Need to Continue Insurance
Exemption
While not ruling on any particular exemption, the 540 page report
looks very unfavorably on all antitrust exemptions, and offers
arguments why they should all be repealed.
MABA Files Legislation to Enforce 1963 Consent Decree in
Massachusetts
State level legislation to codify Consent Decree is
unique approach to enforce compliance with insurance industry agreement.
Analysts Speculate on Paint Co.
Consolidation Following Akzo's Organon Sale
Analysts speculate that Valspar, Sherwin-Williams and
ICI are all candidate targets for a possible Akzo-Nobel acquisition.
R.I. Insurers Asking for Too Much on Labor Rate Survey
Regulators invalidate surveys conducted by insurers
asking for information beyond scope of mandated survey form.
New Missouri Bill Targets Steering, Labor Rates and Third Party
Estimates
AASP, SCRS and ASA join to support bill sharing
aspects of recent legislation in Connecticut.
US Senate Committee Hears Testimony on McCarran Repeal
Familiar characters appear for the 110th Congress'
first hearing on antitrust repeal.
NY Shop Files $40 Mil Suit against Progressive for
Illegal Steering
New suit details multi-year scheme motivated by
'money and greed' to knowingly mislead its insureds.
South Dakota Debates Property Casualty
Consumer Protection Bill
Most disagreement surrounds
provision to require OEM crash parts on later model vehicles.
House Rep Calls for Federal Oversight of
Property Casualty, Anti-Trust Repeal in New Congress
Suspected insurance industry
collusion signals abuse of anti-trust exemption.
Top Ten Stories of 2006
Easier said than done, we
selected 10 stories that we feel have the widest impact on the
industry. See if you agree.
State Farm Answers
Specific Questions on New Select Service Agreement
Our readers have specific questions about
certain terms of the new Select Service agreement such as: What
constitutes a valid repair delay? What are the cycle time targets?
And over a dozen others. We submitted these questions to State Farm,
and here are their answers.
Study Suggests Ways to Improve DRPs for
Shops, Insurers, Consumers
CIC presenter Beryl Carlew detailed a list
of more than two dozen problems shop owners currently see with DRPs-
and their possible solutions.
Small State Wins Big Insurance Law Changes
Rhode Island law now requires and describes
how insurers are to conduct labor rate surveys. First state-designed
surveys in the mail to shops now.
Repair Associations Weigh in on CA's Proposed
Labor Rate Survey Regs
Soon California will likely begin regulating
exactly how insurers conduct labor rate surveys to ensure fairness. CAA,
ASA say the devil is in the details.
Commission Hearing Considers Repeal of
McCarran-Ferguson
Special government commission held a hearing
Wednesday to evaluate possible repeal of insurance industry's exemption
from anti-trust law.
Smash Repairers Get A+ for Anti-Steering
Education
Australia's smash repairers did a bang up
job of communicating their issues to the government. Many lawmakers now
feel Code of Conduct bill doesn't do enough to curb steering.
California Regulations to Mandate Waterborne
Paint
With other regulating bodies watching, will
California's efforts soon have national implications?
Glass Industry Lawsuit Illustrates Court
Interpretation of Steering
U.S. District Court issues decision on
claims of misleading and intimidating steering tactics that bear a
striking resemblance to similar claims in the collision repair industry.
Judge rules word tracks are OK.
Nine Pages to Transform the Collision
Repair Industry:
State Farm's New Agreement
From his point of view,
Scott Biggs sees State Farm's new DRP contact possibly giving some
long overdue clarity to this industry, depending on how the industry
interprets it.
California Senate Committee Passes Bill to
Resolve Labor Rate Disputes
Bill proposes a five-day settlement process
when consumers dispute the labor rate an insurer will pay for work at a
non-DRP shop.
CIC Efforts to Help Repairers Get Paid
for "Missing Time"
Document produced by repairers, insurers and
information providers working together acknowledges missing time in
estimating systems.
AutoBody America Sale Highlights
Challenges for Regional Operators, Benefits of Proper Divestiture
Strategy
Well planned ownership change minimizes
disruptions for employees and customers. CEO of ABA discusses their
experience. Matt Ohrnstein offers owners some advice before selling
a shop.
State Farm Says Four Criteria Drive New
Shop Agreement
Collision Industry Conference touches on new
Select Service agreement, insurer parts procurement, and task force
progress with information providers.
Australia Sees Introduction of First
Anti-Steering Bill
Bill also includes a ban on insurer
ownership of shops, and stiff monetary fines for insurers caught
steering.
Texas Judge Finds Insurer-Owned Shop Law
Constitutional
Nearly a year and a half after final arguments,
the judge has issued his decision. Allstate testimony raises issues
of unfair competition and conflict of interest.
Parliamentary Committee Recommends Insurer
Drop Web-Based Repair
In Australia, the findings of a government inquiry
into web-based repair are that the system is unsafe and should be scrapped.
Insurer refuses, denies problems.
Independent Assessment of Australian Web-Based
Repair System Finds Many Flaws
One problem identified in the report involves estimates
being prepared by non-repairers.
Louisiana Law Requiring
Destruction of Flood Cars In Effect
With the Governor's signature, new law takes effect
immediately as Act 42.
CA Dept. of Ins Questioned on Weak Investigation
of Shop-Insurer Complaints
With literally hundreds of shop complaints about
insurer conduct, the Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance committee
asked the DOI why nothing has been done.
Draft Report Grades California BAR Performance
Enforcement Monitor releases first performance review
of authority criticized for treating repairers unfairly and not understanding
the collision industry.
ASA and NADA Push for National Restrictions
on Sale of
Auto Paint
Two major associations join to ask EPA to implement
tight controls on who may legally purchase automotive refinish paint.
Farmers to Buy Airbags Direct from Dealer
Under New Pilot
Shops will be required to order and receive
their airbags from a dealership over 1,000 miles away. Dealer told
if he didn’t participate, someone else would.
Avery vs. State Farm to Seek U.S. Supreme
Court Review
Move follows the Illinois Court's recent
refusal to grant a new trial.
California Dept of Ins Hearings to Consider
Labor Rate Survey Law Changes
Newly proposed regulations seek to provide a
more transparent survey process to eliminate labor rate disputes
with shops.
Timelines for Solutions to Estimate Rekeying
Laid Out at CIC
Information providers share expected timetable
for the launch of their solution to eliminate estimate rekeying.
Attorneys Request Retrial of Avery v. State
Farm, Allege Campaign Contributions Influenced Judge
Attorneys allege that State Farm may have
‘bought’ the court’s decision through large campaign contributions
to an Illinois Supreme Court Justice.
Estimate Rekeying and Shop Efficiency on CIC
Agenda for San Francisco
Information Providers to provide timetable for
launch of estimate rekeying solutions and a look at improving quality to
reduce costs at Sep 14-15 meeting.
Illinois Supreme Court Delivers Major Win
for Insurance Cos
The scope of the August 18 decision sets
precedents that could favor insurance companies’ collision repair
practices well beyond the relatively simple matter of non-OEM
parts. A two part review of the 82 page decision.
DownUnder Update: Repairer Battle Against
NRMA Insurance not Completely Uphill
Repairers united in revolt against online
bidding system force insurer to tow work over 600 miles in search
of a shop willing to repair cars for them.
Database Providers Take Center Stage at CIC, Scottsdale
Information Providers announce coming solution
to estimate rekeying at Collision Industry Conference, taskforce
reports progress with ADP and Mitchell.
CIC to Address Steering, Data Provider Issues in Arizona
Collision Industry Conference coincides with I-CAR’s Annual
Meeting, offering attendees two great reasons to make the trip to
Scottsdale.
Repairers March Against Insurer in Downtown Sydney
IAG representative has harsh words for repairers after a
demonstration outside insurer's offices to protest the online
bidding program launched this week.
CA Senate Committee Postpones Decision on Bill to Allow Concierge
Programs
Senate hearing investigates legal liability in the Concierge
repair process, and which party must answer to the Bureau of
Automotive Repair.
 Repairer
Revolt! Front Page News Down Under
Insurer threatens never to send work to
shops again.
Waves of repairers refusing to sign new DRP contract from the
nation's largest insurer is making headlines in mainstream
newspapers.
Adhesive Bonding: Who Will
Get Stuck?
An Illinois shop
owner asks who will take responsibility when insurers
specify the use of adhesive bonding procedures when
replacing welded in place panels.
California Amends
Bill to Allow Concierge
Service
CAA is calling for repairers to oppose the bill
threatening to reverse a 2004 law prohibiting insurers from
assuming the role of ‘customer’ in a repair shop.
California Senate Passes Bill to Create
Steering-Friendly Insurance Policies
Legislation averts insurer repairer disputes by
allowing insurers to write auto policy stipulating insurer's right
to select shop.
M2 Collision Care
Centers Shuts Down
Acquisition by Caliber dead;
employees and owners of vehicles in for repairs left hanging.
AASP, ASA, SCRS Join
Forces to Address Estimating Database Issues
In a rare show of unity, the thee biggest
national associations are looking to bring resolutions to the database
issues that effect nearly every repairer in the nation.
SCRS, ASA Seek
Clarification on OEM Parts Restrictions
In a real test of the effectiveness of the
Service Information Agreement, the two largest national collision
repair associations sought to drive home the seriousness of this issue
to the OEMs.
 Shop
Tour: Sterling Autobody
CollisionWeek takes a video
tour of a Sterling shop to see what they do, how they do
it, and the technology they use. We go inside one of
Sterling's newest greenfield facilities guided by
Sterling's Managing Director, Bill Daly.
Eight Shops Sue Country
Mutual Insurance for Steering
The shops involved each bring specific
instances of steering to the case, as well as a lawyer who is no
stranger to suing insurance companies.
ADP Drop in Refinish
Times to be Reversed with Nov Update
While not explaining why the times were
lowered to begin with, ADP has made it clear that the changes will be
reversed in November.
Update:
ADP
Support has provided an online list of vehicles affected
by the Oct CD
Australia's Largest
Insurer Offers Discount for Waiving Choice of Repair Shop
Starting next month, if customers want to
choose who repairs their car, they will have to pay extra for that
privilege.
FTC
Gives Thumbs Down to Right to Repair Act
The unambiguously negative comments made
by the FTC may turn out to be a giant nail in the coffin for the Motor
Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act.
Where are
the Time-Savings?
In comparing the steps required to paint a
repaired panel vs. a new one, the author searches for the
reason some insurers feel that partial paint times are
adequate for repaired panels.
Politics and Legislation
from a Repair Industry Point of View
Survey shows that repairers believe in the
effectiveness of legislation, but on the political side, may need more
information about their elected representatives.
Busting Bottlenecks to
Increase Shop Production
Shop production can be increased
substantially without increasing the size of the shop by using a
methodical approach to identify and eliminate the bottlenecks that
reduce its efficiency.
Standards for
Remanufactured Wheels- Balancing Safety and Economy
The standards used by some suppliers of
remanufactured alloy wheels have come under scrutiny by the repair
industry. Ford recently jumped into the fray and released its
recommendations, and Keystone explains its remanufacturing process.
BAR Blasted
by Industry in Sunset Review Hearing
The BAR's first sunset review draws both praise and criticism of the
regulator's performance. Industry members would like to see changes in
how the BAR operates.
Caliber Suit Drawing Praise, Criticism from Opposing Sides
The suit is surrounded by a cloud of politics, unresolved industry
issues, and regulatory gray areas.
$50 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Caliber Collision by California
Attorney General
Caliber's president suggests the company has become the target of a
vindictive state agency seeking to justify their existence.
BAR Report to Legislators Highly Critical of Non-OEM Parts
Certification Programs
After a two year study, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair did
not have many compliments for the non-OEM parts certification programs
in their report to the state's legislators.
CA
Anti-Steering Bill Headed for Governor's Desk
The Senate has
approved the Assembly's amendments sending the bill to the
Governor for his signature.
L.A. Times
Acknowledges Shortcomings of BAR Study
The paper acknowledges that the BAR investigation was not conducted in
a way that allows the results to be projected upon the industry as a
whole.
Allstate,
Sterling File Suit To Declare Texas Insurer-Owned Shop Law
Unconstitutional
The insurer claims the new Texas law, that took effect on September 1,
violates the constitution and is a detriment to Sterling Autobody as
well as Texas consumers.
California BAR Issues Auto Body Fraud Report
After its two year pilot program, the Bureau of Automotive Repair has
issued its findings to the state's legislature, reporting problems
with not only repairers, but the insurance industry as well.
California BAR
Serves Complaints on Five
Caliber Collision Centers
The battle between
Caliber Collision Centers and the California Bureau of
Automotive Repair continues with the BAR seeking to revoke
the licenses of five more Caliber facilities.
Bill Banning New
Insurer-Owned Repair Facilities
Signed by Texas Governor
The law takes
effect this fall, and rather than setting up a divestiture
period, this bill offers a slightly different solution to
the insurer-owned shop concern.
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MABA
president Chris Colo expressed his concern, "We
further recommend the Commissioner ban any future use of
aftermarket crash parts from the repair process - as other states
have done - until consumers are assured that they are as safe as
the original parts..."