New Bill Would Create Federal Insurance Office
A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives, the National Insurance Consumer Protection Act (NICPA), would establish a national system of regulation and supervision for nationally registered insurers to monitor the systemic risk to the economy from the insurance market. Under the bill, states would maintain responsibility for regulating state-licensed insurers, agencies and producers.
New Bill Would Create Federal Insurance Office
A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives, the National Insurance Consumer Protection Act (NICPA), would establish a national system of regulation and supervision for nationally registered insurers to monitor the systemic risk to the economy from the insurance market. Under the bill, states would maintain responsibility for regulating state-licensed insurers, agencies and producers.
PartsChannel Acquires Tiger Auto Body Parts in Las Vegas
PartsChannel, Inc. has acquired Tiger Auto Body Parts, Inc., a Las Vegas-based collision replacement parts distributor. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “The acquisition enables PartsChannel to leverage its existing distribution network in Los Angeles. We look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities available to the company in the Las Vegas metropolitan region,”
Affordable Estimating
CRASH-WRITER brings many of the features found in the more expensive DRP progams to the independent body shop at an affordable price. With its ease of use, speed and low price, CRASH-WRITER LITE offers a viable alternative to books. CRASH-WRITER PRO includes aftermarket pricing, supplements and more. Call (800) 922-2378 or visit www.crash-writer.com.
Customer Satisfaction Index Next CREW Webcast Topic
Collision Repair Executive Webcast (CREW) will present the next edition of the CREW Webcast at 11 a.m. PDT, April 16. A panel of experts will discuss “CSI Issues, Challenges and Opportunities: Where Are We Today and Where Do We Go From Here?” On this month’s CREW Webcast, we will discuss customer satisfaction with a panel
CARSTAR Names New Advisory Board Members
Three new franchisee members have joined CARSTAR Collision Centers’ national advisory board for a three-year term beginning this year. The new advisory board members include: Dean Fisher, owner of CARSTAR Yorkville, Yorkville, Ill., representing Chicago, Indiana and Michigan; Brett Bailey, owner of A&B CARSTAR of Riverside, Kansas City, Mo., representing Kansas, western Missouri and Texas;
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Department of Justice recently released the final rules for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), created by a 1992 law to prevent title washing. The rules, which were effective April 1, require insurers to report vehicles that have been declared total losses under state law and by their own
Letters to the Editor
The New DRP I was confused by your January 2009 cover story [“The New DRP,” pg. 22]. There are so many reasons why DRPs should be banned, and even though the article touches on the fact that many people in the collision repair industry feel that way, it takes on a defeated tone. Rather than
Database Task Force Speaking at Upcoming WMABA Meeting
The Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) is hosting a meeting April 9 featuring the Collision Industry Conference Database Task Force (DTF). This meeting will look into how the DTF works, the issues it’s currently addressing and DTF members’ experiences working with the database providers. DTF members will also discuss how database systems affect estimating
Second SCRS Affiliate Association Conference Call Slated for April 7
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is hosting the second in a series of conference calls designed to boost information-sharing between state affiliates. The conference call is scheduled for April 7 at 3 p.m. EST. The topic for this month’s call is “Association Funding/Budgeting.” SCRS will be distributing an enhanced agenda to all of
EPA, SCAQMD Reps to Make Special Appearances at BSB Waterborne Conference
Representatives of the EPA and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will be present at the BodyShop Business Waterborne Conference (Aug. 13-14 in Huron, Ohio) to discuss current rules and regulations mandating the use of low-VOC basecoats and outline other compliance issues. Holly Wilson is the lead for the EPA’s Community Air Program
Ford and LKQ Settle Patent Disputes
A settlement was reached April 1 between Ford Motor Company and LKQ Corporation in a lawsuit filed by Ford Motor Company to protect its design patents on collision parts. The settlement mandates that LKQ will not challenge the validity and enforceability of Ford’s design patents during the term of the agreement, and LKQ will be