Florida Shop Owner in Tit for Tat with Progressive
A Florida shop owner says Progressive is suing him in an attempt to destroy his business, which is not on the insurer’s DRP. In August 2007, Progressive sued Ed Lowe, the owner of Crestview Paint and Body in Crestview, in federal court, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported in February. According to the lawsuit, Progressive
Oklahoma House Committee Rejects Right to Repair
An Oklahoma House subcommittee voted against House Bill 2820 by a vote of 7-0. The bill, heard by the House Economic Development and Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Industry and Labor on Feb. 19, would have created the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) believes Right to Repair legislation in
Virginia Governor Approves Paint Capping Bill
Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has approved a law that aims to prohibit insurers from arbitrarily capping paint and materials reimbursements. The state House and Senate had both unanimously passed bills in February, Senate Bill 697 and House Bill 1176, that defined capping as “the setting of arbitrary and unreasonable limits on what an insurer
Kansas House Debates Anti-Steering Legislation
The Kansas House of Representatives is considering an anti-steering bill that would require insurers to notify claimants that they have the right to choose a repairer of their choice. Bob Smith, president of Storm Appraisal & Management Service, has lobbied for the bill. House Bill 2653 bill states that once a vehicle owner has chosen
Florida Insurance Department Seeks Allstate Suspension
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced on Feb. 19 that the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has filed an administrative complaint on a non-emergency basis seeking to suspend the certificates of authority of the Allstate Companies to write new insurance policies in Florida. The complaint is based in part on Allstate’s failure to provide witnesses
GMAC Launches Free Post-Repair Inspection Service
Body shops across the country are on a mission to educate consumers about the collision repair process, including the steps to take to ensure they receive a quality repair. Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that GMAC Insurance has launched SmartInspect, a post-repair inspection service designed to promote consumer confidence by ensuring the quality and value
Manufacturer closing Troy plant
Faurecia North America will close one of its two plants in Troy, and move some of the work into other facilities in Ohio and in Mexico. The 120,200-square-foot Troy West plant will be closed by August and 180 of the approximately 300 workers there will be moved to jobs in the Troy East and Franklin
New Canadian Company Offers Car Repair Financing
CARFCO – Car Repair Financing Co. has announced its grand-opening. It will begin providing financial solutions to customers throughout Canada (with the exception of Quebec) beginning on February 18, 2008. The company is also positioned to begin providing service in a number of U.S. states in 2008. CARFCO’s mission is to provide a solution to
Progressive Receives Patent for Concierge Claims Service
Progressive received a U.S. patent in January for its concierge level of claims service. Progressive says its service, in which it takes responsibility for the entire vehicle claims/repair process following a crash, helps to save drivers time and effort. Conceived in 2000 and rolled out beginning in 2003, Progressive’s concierge level of claims service is
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Progressive Receives U.S. Patent for Its Concierge Claims Service Method
Leading auto insurer Progressive has a long history of innovations. And, on January 29, 2008, it received U.S. Patent No. 7,324,951 for one of its methods of processing vehicle damage claims, which it calls its concierge level of claims service. This service helps to save drivers time and effort; Progressive takes responsibility for the entire
Shop Employee’s Illness Highlights Industry’s Lack of Health Insurance
When a member of the industry gets sick, it affects their well-being, their family and their employer. When that employee doesn’t have health insurance, not only is their health still in jeopardy, but also their financial future. Jason Van Der Sluis recently started a new job as a body technician at an auto body shop