Farmers Ordered to Pay Millions in Damages to Policyholders
A jury in Comanche County, Ok., handed down a multi-million-dollar judgment against Farmers Insurance Company Sept. 17 as part of a class-action lawsuit. The penalties against Farmers break down as follows: $50 million in actual damages and $30 million in punitive damages, plus interest, which could push the total judgment to $200 million. The suit,
911 Collision Hosts Children’s Charity Event
911 Collision Centers recently helped raise over $70,000 for local children’s charities through its Tucson Children’s Charities Foundation (TCCF). The event was held this year at the Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz. “We are committed to helping local children’s charities and serving our community. It’s all part of our mission at 911
I-CAR Hybrid Vehicle Course Making Debut at NACE
The premier of the new I-CAR Live training program Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02) will take place at NACE 2008. This program is a follow-up to the Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicle (ALT01) class and features new applications of hybrid technology and alternative fuel vehicles. I-CAR will also conduct Steel Unitized Structures Technologies
CRA Asks Governor to Veto ‘Paperwork Act’
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) has asked California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto A.B. 2825 (Assemblywoman Wilma Carter, D-62nd). This bill would require repairers to give customers wholesale invoices for crash parts that cost $50 or more and mandates that estimates and final invoices contain a disclosure that part switching is illegal. Dubbed
CRA Asks Governor to Veto ‘Paperwork Act’
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) has asked California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto A.B. 2825 (Assemblywoman Wilma Carter, D-62nd). This bill would require repairers to give customers wholesale invoices for crash parts that cost $50 or more and mandates that estimates and final invoices contain a disclosure that part switching is illegal. Dubbed
Aluminum Stud Welder Up For Grabs in NACE Drawing
A Car-O-Liner CR 55 Aluminum Stud Welder and dent repair tools will be awarded in a drawing sponsored by I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR Education Foundation and NATEF at the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE). To be eligible to win the welder, entrants must be I CAR trained as well as ASE-certified, or attend an ASE-certified
PRIDE Nomination Deadline Extended
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) PRIDE Committee is extending the date through which it will accept nominations for the 14th Annual PRIDE Awards to Oct. 10. The PRIDE Awards are an annual effort to recognize those in the collision industry who exemplify the giving spirit of the industry. In the past 13 years, more
Customer Service Crucial to Survival, Hendler Says
To survive in the changing collision repair industry, shops must do more to serve customers, Jeff Hendler, Collision Industry Conference (CIC) founding member and owner of JD Hendler Associates told about 40 members of the Connecticut Collision Repair Specialists (CCRS) at a recent monthly meeting. In his talk, “The Changing Industry – Your Role In
AIG Faces Potential Bankruptcy After Credit Ratings Cut
New York-based American International Group Inc. (AIG), the world’s largest insurer, will use assets held by its insurance subsidiaries to stay afloat after the company was hit Monday by downgrades by three major credit-rating agencies worried that the worsening housing market is working to undermine the company’s shaky finances. New York Gov. David Paterson said
Allstate Releases Statement on Full-Body Sectioning
Allstate Insurance Company announced today that it will no longer specify full-body sectioning on damage estimates. A release from the company stated that full-body sectioning will be authorized by Allstate adjusters only “when a collision repair facility is confident that a full-body section is the appropriate repair, has the proper training and equipment to facilitate
GEICO Opens Auto Repair Xpress in Sacramento
GEICO has opened a new Auto Repair Xpress (ARX) facility in Sacramento, Calif., at Shanahan’s Auto Body, 6211 Power Inn Road. This is the third ARX facility in the area in addition to Bodycraft Collision Center, 5613 Auburn Blvd., in Sacramento and Kniesel’s Auto Collision Center, 4680 Pacific St., in Rocklin. There are more than
Car Finished with PPG Wins Three Awards at Pebble Beach
A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta sporting a PPG finish took three top awards at the 58th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, Calif., this August: “Best of Show,” “Best of Class” and “Most Elegant.” The Alfa Romeo, owned Jon and Mary Shirley of Medina, Wash., was restored by Dennison International Motorsports, Puyallup,