Minnesota House Committee Approves Estimating System Legislation
The Minnesota House Commerce and Labor Committee approved legislation in March that would require an insurer to use an estimating system in its entirety when appraising a damaged vehicle. The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee considered a companion to House File 3822, Senate File 3508, in March as well, but the committee took no
CCC Addresses Vehicle Salvage with New Features
CCC Information Services Inc. has developed the Valuescope Salvage Management Solutions, featuring a data-driven decision support tool to assist with the workflow associated with the total loss and salvage processes. The company says the system provides an easier way to aggregate information to make a more informed total loss decision and provides a matrix that
GEICO Contributes to Hawaii Apprenticeship Program
GEICO and the Auto Body and Painting Association of Hawaii (ABPAH) recently partnered for a new apprenticeship program aimed at improving training and providing job opportunities in the auto body field. GEICO kicked off the program by presenting Kuroda’s Auto Body, Inc. with a contribution to its apprenticeship activities at the Waipahu shop. The body
OVAAA Supports QPC
The Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA) has voiced support of the efforts of the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC). The QPC believes that a monopoly on replacement collision parts will drive up costs to consumers and threaten the future vitality of the entire industry. Currently, competition in the alternative collision parts industry saves consumers up
Akzo Nobel Seeks Most Influential Women in Collision Repair Industry
Akzo Nobel is accepting nominations for the 2008 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry. The 2008 program will mark the 10th anniversary for what’s acknowledged by many as one of the cornerstone recognition programs within the industry. “Akzo Nobel is pleased to have been able to pioneer this effort in the collision repair
FAIA and QPC Lobby Florida Legislators on Aftermarket Parts
The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) and the Florida Automotive Industry Association (FAIA) met with Florida state legislators to discuss aftermarket parts in the collision industry, urging state legislators to take their message to the federal level. FAIA and QPC maintain that allowing the car companies to enforce their design patents in the secondary market would
FAIA and QPC Lobby Florida Legislators on Aftermarket Parts
The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) and the Florida Automotive Industry Association (FAIA) met with Florida state legislators to discuss aftermarket parts in the collision industry, urging state legislators to take their message to the federal level. FAIA and QPC maintain that allowing the car companies to enforce their design patents in the secondary market would
Database Enhancement Gateway Going Strong After Three Months
Three months after launching a new Web site where collision repairers could submit inquiries on the databases for various estimating products, the Database Enhancement Gateway (www.degweb.org) is going strong with more than 250 inquiries and more than 7,500 unique visitors. “The DEG was developed with the hope of, ‘If we build it, they will come,’”
Ohio Body Shop Owners Association Pushes Consumer Education, Quality Repairs
It was just a low-key meeting at a Mexican restaurant, but the subject matter was anything but low-key. Members of the Ohio Body Shop Owners Association (OBOA) met March 10 in Oregon, Ohio, to discuss their latest consumer education ad campaign and also to go over some legislative strategies aimed at countering what they believe
Rhode Island Bill Would Prohibit Deductible Rebates
The Rhode Island House is considering a bill that would prevent shops from rebating or offering to rebate a customer’s deductible to entice the customer to choose a particular shop. State Rep. Timothy A. Williamson (D-West Warwick) introduced House Bill 7994 on Feb. 28. If enacted, violations would be grounds for denial, suspension or revocation
California Senate Hears Anti-Steering Legislation, Introduces Capping Bill
The Collision Repair Association of California’s (CRA) two sponsored bills, Senate Bills 1059 and 1167, were heard by the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance and Insurance on April 2, coinciding with CRA’s Legislative Day. The CRA says insurers successfully convinced the California Chamber of Commerce to oppose S.B. 1167, which mandates that once a vehicle
OSHA Enforcement Aimed at Body Shops
Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs) are enforcement strategies designed and implemented at the Regional Office and/or Area Office levels of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Nationwide, more than 150 individual programs (sometimes implemented by multiple offices) address industries that include collision repair. During fiscal year 2007, OSHA conducted 21,824 inspections (out of 39,324 total