MABA Legislation Recommended by Financial Services Committee
The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services recently gave a favorable recommendation to several bills that the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA) had filed for the current legislative session. In addition, the Committee favorably recommended a key labor rate bill drafted by the AASP-MA/RI chapter, with assistance from the Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association
SCRS Members Identify Disturbing Trends Regarding Insurer Abuse
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has been monitoring for some time the actions of a number of insurance companies and how their processes and procedures have affected collision repairers and, ultimately, their customers. During this review, SCRS determined that it was in its membership’s best interest to offer its position on questionable business
DCR Systems Makes Lean Process Available to All Through Licensing
It’s official: “Lean” has been licensed. Ohio-based DCR Systems, a company that provides turnkey collision repair operations to dealerships, has launched a new company, DCR Intellectual Property Company, that will license the lean production system used in DCR facilities. “Over the past three years, as DCR Systems has experienced proof-of-concept of our collision repair model
CIC Working to Define, Adopt Best Practices
The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Repairer-Insurer Relations Task Force is accepting comments on a working document that will offer best practices for the collision repair industry. The Best Practices Guidelines are “a consensus on how to work together for the benefit of the vehicle owner using good faith business practices and mutual respect in the
Panoramic Sunroofs Gain Popularity
Car manufacturers are designing new models – particularly crossovers – with panoramic glass roofs, affording occupants better views and lighting. Ford has made the technology available on its 2008 Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers, as well as on its upcoming Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. General Motors offers panoramic sunroofs on several crossovers,
AMI Taking Applications for Richard Cossette/Gale Westerlund Memorial
AMI is accepting applications for the Richard Cossette/Gale Westerlund Memorial Scholarship, the Emil Stanley Merit Award, the Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) Scholarship and the Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship. The Richard Cossette/Gale Westerlund Memorial Scholarship, offered in conjunction with the Automotive Service Association (ASA), honors the contributions these individuals made to AMI, ASA and the collision
AMI Taking Applications for $1,000 BodyShop Business, Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarships
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is accepting applications for the annual $1,000 BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship. AMI’s resource development effort, EXCEL, in conjunction with Babcox Publications, established the scholarship, which is awarded to an Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division member who strives to be, or is presently working, in a management capacity. The scholarship
New Jersey Re-Examines Right to Repair
The New Jersey Senate and Assembly reintroduced the “Right to Repair Act” on Feb. 21. State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Woodridge) reintroduced Senate Bill 1334, and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) is sponsoring Assembly Bill 803. New Jersey’s Right to Repair Act ran out of the legislative clock to have it passed in the legislature’s last session.
Shops Squeezed by Rising Costs and Low Pay, Eversman Says in Podcast
Body shops aren’t being paid enough by insurers to cover their soaring costs, industry expert Erica L. Eversman, J.D., says in a hard-hitting new podcast sponsored by Scene Genesis. State regulators are becoming more concerned that low payments under direct-repair programs practically force some shops to make unsafe repairs, said Eversman, general counsel of the
Oregon Shops Grade Insurance Companies; State Farm Ranks Best, Progressive Worst
Oregon repairers surveyed by a regional association graded insurers’ practices on how they resulted in quality repairs and customer service for drivers, and the results showed most were viewed as average. The Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA) sent surveys to approximately 650 repair shops in Oregon, and more than 100 responded. Respondents ranked the top
Connecticut Senate Committee Recommends Passing Anti-Steering Legislation
The Connecticut Senate’s Joint Committee on Transportation recommended last month passage of a bill that would strengthen Connecticut’s existing steering law. Senate Bill 288 states, “No insurance company doing business in this state, or agent or adjuster for such company shall recommend, request or require any insured to use a specific person for the provision
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