CBS Shines Spotlight on Lowball Estimates
CBS 6 News out of Albany, New York recently focused on what one body shop owner called "lowball’ estimates relating to a recent hailstorm. In response to a customer’s dissatisfaction with the estimate Allstate wrote for hail damage to his 1996 Lincoln Town Car, Robert Ensign, owner of Ensign’s Auto Body in Albany, said lowball estimates are
SCRS Hopes to Foster Unity and Pool Industry Resources with Annual Conference
The Society for Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is planning its third annual Affiliate Leadership Conference to be held in September. The conference will focus on networking and pooling regional resources to strengthen the collision repair industry as a whole. The SCRS Affiliate Leadership Conference spotlights and serves the needs of affiliate associations and brings together
Mercury Insurance Group Ordered to Pay $250,000 Settlement for California Violations
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced a quarter-million dollar settlement with Mercury Insurance Group for alleged claims handling violations. "It’s vital that insurance companies put their customers first," Poizner said. "I’m pleased that Mercury has agreed to this settlement, which demonstrates that claims handling violations will not be tolerated in California. Mercury recently announced
ASA Urges Michigan Repairers to Contact State Senators About Mini-Tort Law
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging independent automotive repairers in Michigan to contact their state senators in response to the proposed increase of the mini-tort law to $1,500, allowing drivers to seek more damages from at-fault motorists after a crash. State Rep. Tim Melton introduced the proposal, Michigan H.B. 5838, in February. The bill
Accuracy of State Farm Prevailing Rate Survey Depends on Shops, Says ASA of Arizona
The Automotive Service Association of Arizona (ASA-AZ) has released a letter to collision repair shops emphasizing the importance of participating in the State Farm repair facility survey – whether they do business with State Farm or not. Until a few years ago, a State Farm representative went from shop to shop once a year to
Quality Parts Coalition Gains Additional Support from New York
Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) today welcomed the New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA) as an integral part in the Coalition’s fight to secure legislation preventing what the QPC views as potential monopolies in the automotive aftermarket parts market. The QPC formed in March 2007 in response to an International Trade Commission ruling mandating exclusive
ASA Urges Michigan Repairers to Contact State Senators About Mini-Tort Law
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging independent automotive repairers in Michigan to contact their state senators in response to the proposed increase of the mini-tort law to $1,500, allowing drivers to seek more damages from at-fault motorists after a crash. State Rep. Tim Melton introduced the proposal, Michigan H.B. 5838, in February. The bill
Arizona Shops Rank USAA Best, Progressive Worst
The results are in for the Automotive Service Association of Arizona’s annual survey of body shops, and USAA has ranked the best while Progressive has ranked the worst. The top 10 among 40 rated insurance companies were recently honored at the group’s 11th annual "Best Insurers Awards" banquet in Phoenix. USAA has roughly 2.4 percent
Property/Casualty Insurers’ Net Income Down 50 Percent in First Quarter
The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry’s net income after taxes fell to $8.2 billion in first quarter 2008 from $16.2 billion in first quarter 2007 and a cyclical peak of $17.7 billion in first quarter 2005. Reflecting the declines in net income, the property/casualty industry’s annualized rate of return on average policyholders’ surplus (statutory net worth)
Third Annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum a Success
The third annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum (MCIF) in Columbia, Mo., was deemed a success by its organizers (AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN) as nearly 125 collision industry professionals from as far east as Virginia and as far west as Montana participated. The one-day forum featured speakers Mike Anderson of Wagonwork Collision
Chrysler Releases Position Statement on Structural Repair Parts Usage
Chrysler LLC recently released a position statement on structural repair parts usage. The statement is as follows: Chrysler LLC vehicles, systems and components are engineered, tested and manufactured to protect vehicle occupants based upon both government mandated and internal corporate requirements relative to durability, NVH, vehicle safety and occupant protection. Chrysler LLC does not approve
ASA States Position on Two Blend Deduction Issues
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) board of directors has approved two position statements on blending issues, including the use of the term “blending” in regard to labor and material reductions and also deductions related to a number of specific refinish procedures. Both positions were presented to the board by the ASA Refinish Subcommittee during the