El Paso Shop Shuts Down Without Notice and Keeps Customers’ Cars
On its Web site, Universal Body Shop in El Paso, Texas, dubs itself “The Name You Trust for Bodywork,” but to a group of unhappy customers, the shop that closed without warning about two months ago is anything but trustworthy. Owner Paco Rodriguez said he had to close the shop for financial reasons and wasn’t
I-CAR Says Online Registration is Gaining in Popularity
Since implementation in November, I-CAR says it has seen an upward trend in use of its online registration system, with a nearly 100-percent increase over the last four weeks. “The growth in the acceptance of the online registration system suggests that training managers are becoming acclimated to the new technology and are finding online registration
California Department of Insurance Proposes Rules to Strengthen Anti-Steering Law
The California Department of Insurance (DOI) has released its proposed changes to the state’s anti-steering statute. The proposed rules would prevent an insurer from discussing DRPs or an alternative facility if the claimant informs the insurer that he or she has selected a specific repair facility. The rules would also prevent an insurer from raising
I-CAR Education Foundation’s Golf Outing Slated for July
The I-CAR Education Foundation’s Eighth Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will be held July 30 in Washington, D.C., at the Langston Golf Course. Industry professionals attending the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and the I-CAR Annual Meeting are encouraged to participate. “This year’s I-CAR Education Foundation Golf Tournament will help support
Keystone’s 2008 Wheel Finder CD Now Available
Keystone Automotive is now distributing its 2008 Wheel Finder CD. The Wheel Finder CD is produced annually and contains photographs, part numbers and product descriptions. Keystone says customers don’t need internet access to use the 2008 Wheel Finder CD; however, they may take advantage of the automatic update feature to regularly download updated information including
ASA’s ‘How’s your Business?’ Survey Results Available Online
Results from the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) “How’s Your Business?” (HYB) survey, in its 16th year of exploring the overall success and business practices of ASA member businesses, is now available online. Denise Casperson, ASA collision division manager, wrote in the survey results that “the collision industry has not been immune to the effects of
Car-Part.com Says Service Keeps Improving
Car-Part.com, a management system and online service for auto parts recyclers, has announced several improvements to its services on the heels of the fifth anniversary of its acquisition of the Checkmate management system. Car-Part says it recently formed a Checkmate features group, built Checkmate add-on products that simplify recyclers’ workflow, enhanced interchange, grown Checkmate to
Minnesota Supreme Court Hears Assignment of Benefits Arguments
In a case similar to body shops taking “assignment of proceeds” action against insurers, the Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments this week from both glass repair shops and insurers regarding the court of appeals’ 2008 ruling that a “non-assignment” clause in an insurance policy protects insurers from having to deal directly with auto glass shops.
Insurance Groups to Continue Opposing Federal Regulation in ’09
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) applauded three groups for their renewed commitment to oppose federal regulation of insurance and cited the meltdown of the U.S. financial sector as a reason to leave insurers under state regulation. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) has announced plans to hold a summit of state
STRANGE BUT TRUE: Rare Bugatti Unearthed in British Garage
Leave it to the eccentric uncle. Dr. Harold Carr’s nephews and nieces inherited his dusty, old garage in northern England after his death in 2007 and expected to find very little housed inside. But when they opened its doors, they found not only a vintage Aston Martin and Jaguar parked there, but also a rare
Michigan Bill Banning Insurer-Owned Shops Passes House
Michigan’s insurer-owned repair shop legislation (H.B. 4778) has passed the House of Representatives. The bill, introduced in May 2007, would ban insurance companies from owning repair facilities in Michigan. The legislation would also prohibit insurers from developing a list of preferred shops or in any other way conveying to an insured information regarding which repair
Insurance Group Testifies Against Setting Labor Rates at Final Massachusetts Hearing
The special commission studying the logistics, benefits and cost of developing an auto body repair labor rate system in Massachusetts held its second and final public hearing Nov. 13. The American Insurance Association (AIA) testified at the hearing that setting labor rates would be “a major step backwards in the effort to reform the private