New York Repairers Allowed to Rebate Deductible, State Says
The New York Office of General Counsel has affirmed repairers’ right to waive or discount a customer’s deductible. Last month’s opinion represents the position of the New York State Insurance Department. The department wanted to determine if a shop’s payment to the insured of all or part of the insurance deductible constituted a rebate program
Independent Repairers Are ‘Open for Business,’ ASA Tells Massachusetts Consumers
Citing concerns about misinformation surrounding the “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act,” the Automotive Service Association (ASA) is firing back with a campaign aimed at ensuring consumers that independent repair shops are “Open for Business.” “Proponents of H.B. 296, The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, are doing independent repairers in Massachusetts a
PPG 2008 Releases Import Color Information Book
PPG has introduced its all-new 2008 Import Color Information Book. The book complements the previously released 2008 Domestic Color Information Book. Together, the two books provide comprehensive coverage of vehicles being repaired in the United States today. The book makes use of PPG’s exclusive SideView Window format, which provides an open window adjacent to each
Nebraska Autobody Association is Newest SCRS Affiliate Association
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has announced that the Nebraska Autobody Association (NABA), a statewide trade association promoting excellence in the art and science of collision repair, has enrolled as its newest affiliate association. The NABA, which is comprised of approximately 350 body shops, auto body suppliers, auto body educational institutions and
Anti-Steering Bill Senate Hearing Successful, Says Missouri Collision Coalition
Power in numbers was demonstrated last Tuesday when the Missouri Collision Coalition (MCC) made up of Missouri associations AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN testified at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Mo. in support of Senate Bill 775. According to MCC lobbyist Bob Smith, when Senator LuAnn Ridgeway, vice chairperson of the
Chip Foose to Promote BASF Products
BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions today announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Chip Foose, well-known automotive and product designer, to promote its waterborne automotive refinishes and to develop a new line of automotive refinish colors under the Foose name. No stranger to BASF automotive refinish paint, Chip Foose grew up watching his dad
AAIA Debuts SmartBrief Industry E-Newsletter
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association today debuted its new SmartBrief e-newsletter. The twice weekly e-newsletter is a summary of each week’s top news impacting the automotive aftermarket industry. It is free this week and next, but to continue receiving it after that time period, sign up at www.smartbrief.com/aaia/. Of particular interest to collision repairers in
Anti-Steering Bill Senate Hearing Successful, Says Missouri Collision Coalition
Power in numbers was demonstrated last Tuesday when the Missouri Collision Coalition (MCC) made up of Missouri associations AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN testified at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Mo. in support of Senate Bill 775. According to MCC lobbyist Bob Smith, when Senator LuAnn Ridgeway, vice chairperson of the
Liberty Mutual to Acquire Safeco Corporation
Liberty Mutual Group and Safeco Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement where Liberty Mutual will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeco for $68.25 per common share in cash. The proposed transaction, which is valued at approximately $6.2 billion, has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. It’s subject
BASF Launches New Waterborne Product for Canadian Market
BASF Canada has added a new product – Onyx HD – to its popular R-M brand. Onyx HD is a high-performance, environmentally compliant waterborne automotive refinish coating that meets upcoming Canadian environmental regulations. Safer to use than solvent-based products, Onyx HD tinting bases also have no shelf-life limitations and will not freeze, according to BASF.
Survey Indicates 3.5% Increase in Georgia Shop Labor Rate
A 2008 prevailing labor rate survey commissioned by the Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA) shows that those rates have risen 3.5 percent since 2007. The survey covered Metropolitan Atlanta, and a total of 287 responses in the months of March and April were tallied. Other results of the survey include: Sheet Metal Rate 2007 $39.32
Financial Service Subcommittee Considers Insurance Reform Proposals
The U.S. House Financial Service Subcommittee held Part III of its hearing on insurance regulation recently. The previous hearings were held in October 2007 and focused on the need for insurance regulatory reform. The purpose of the hearing was to consider a variety of state and federal proposals on insurance reform. Currently, there are two