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
CCC 2008 Crash Course Reports Increase in Paid Claim Frequency
CCC Information Services Inc.’s 2008 Crash Course, an annual report on the many factors affecting collision repair and total loss costs, reports an increase in paid claim frequency last year, the first such increase in nearly a decade. The report also looks at how the increase in specialty substrate materials and the proliferation of electronics
WMABA Backs SCRS Statements on Insurers
The Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) voiced its support last month of statements by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) alleging insurer abuse. WMABA echoed SCRS’ comments on insurers’ questionable business conduct and released a statement on its support of SCRS, which read, “WMABA has experience, both in the recent past and currently,
USACP, NABA Join SCRS as Affiliates
The US Alliance of Collision Professionals (USACP), a collision repair association headquartered in Greater Cincinnati, is the latest affiliate to join the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). The USACP’s 25 charter members formed the alliance on Oct. 22, 2007, with a keen eye toward finding common ground with others. “To operate in today’s industry
Iowa Senate Introduces Collision Repair Parts Bills
The Iowa Senate is considering a bill that would bar insurers from requiring repairers to buy parts and supplies from specified sellers. Sen. Steve Warnstadt (D-Sioux City) introduced Senate File 2326, which addresses shops that perform repairs on behalf of the insurer to the property of an insured. The bill defines such requirements of insurers
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
All 2009 VWs Will Have Electronic Stability Control
Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced in March that its Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) will be standard equipment on every 2009 model year Volkswagen. By offering ESP as a standard feature, Volkswagen is the first non-luxury manufacturer to include an electronic stabilization system at no additional cost on every vehicle it sells – well ahead of
New York Senate Introduces Right to Repair Bill
New York legislators introduced Senate Bill 7001, a companion to a right to repair bill under consideration in the Assembly (House Bill 5817). Similar to the federal legislation, the state bill would mandate that car companies share with independent repair shops the same service information, software and tools that they provide their new car dealer
Auto Glass Anti-Steering Bill Dies in Washington Senate
Anti-steering legislation aimed at the auto glass industry has died in the Washington Senate. The Washington House had approved House Bill 3053, which attempted to end insurer steering in auto glass claims, but the legislation did not make it past the Senate’s Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. Insurers, driven by the National Association of Mutual
CRA Seeks Industry-Wide Support for Anti-Steering Bill
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) called on repairers in the state to rally around Senate Bill 1167, which it calls “truth-setting policy” that protects consumers from insurer DRP steering tactics. The bill, authored by state Sen. Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and sponsored by the CRA, states that when a claimant first reports an
AASP-MN Focuses Legislative Agenda on Three Bills
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative session. AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask the Department of Public
AASP-MN Focuses Legislative Agenda on Three Bills
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has three initiatives it intends to pursue during the 2008 legislative session. AASP-MN has developed a shop licensing proposal for collision repair shops. Before the bill is formally introduced, Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) will ask the Department of Public