Rhode Island Bills Address Insurers’ Role in Repairs
The Rhode Island House Corporations Committee is considering two bills dealing with insurers’ role in repairs that were introduced in the legislature in January. The Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI) is promoting the bills, while the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is opposing them. The Corporations Committee will consider H.B. 7144,
Allstate Gives Florida McKinsey Documents
The ongoing saga between Allstate and Florida has so far resulted in the insurer forking over the so-called McKinsey documents, which are purported to detail Allstate’s claims handling procedures. Attorney David Berardinelli and other lawyers say the materials, developed by consultant McKinsey & Co., detail Allstate’s instructions to settle claims quickly with low-ball offers. If
Supreme Court Denies Allstate Petition
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Allstate’s petition for writ of certiorari. Most recently, Allstate filed a reply brief to the Supreme Court in regard to the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. This reply brief followed the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA’s) response and Allstate’s appeal after the U.S. Court of
Fox Files Chapter 11
Fox Collision Center and Fox Real Estate filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wichita, Kan., in January, according to The Wichita Eagle. In a statement through his bankruptcy lawyer, owner Todd Fox claimed assets and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million. Fox also blamed M&I Bank for freezing the
NABC Extends Membership Discount to SCRS Members
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) is providing members of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) with a 20 percent discount on Individual ($100) and Prestige Level/Shop ($250) memberships. NABC undertakes initiatives that have helped foster a positive image of the collision repair industry, including its Recycled Rides program, a nationwide awareness project in
Oklahoma Re-Introduces Right to Repair Legislation
The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.B. 2820) was re-introduced in the Oklahoma State Legislature by Rep. Daniel Sullivan (R) on Jan. 18. Although the bill introduced last year by Rep. Lucky Lemons (D) did not receive consideration, it was the subject of a favorable interim hearing that was held by the legislature
JMAC Radiator and Air Acquired
1-800-Radiator announced the purchase of air conditioning distributor JMAC Radiator and Air, a $13 million company with 18 locations over two-thirds of the country. 1-800-Radiator will approach the air conditioning market the same way it has the radiator market. Assets include nearly 90 percent of JMAC’s staff, including Ryan McKenna, general manager of Nationwide Sales.
Assured Performance Announces 2008 Board of Directors
Assured Performance Cooperative (Co-Op), the largest network of independently owned shops in the world, today announced their 2008 Board of Directors. The members of the co-op voted last week to approve the slate of candidates for the Board. In accordance with the co-op bylaws, the Board of Directors is exclusively body shops owners representing over
ALLDATA Signs National Agreement With Fix Auto
ALLDATA LLC has announced its recent National Account Agreement with Fix Auto, a network of independent auto body repair centers with more than 135 U.S. facilities. Fix Auto body repair centers will now be able to access manufacturers’ collision repair information through ALLDATA Collision.
DEG Announces 2008 Sponsors
Several key industry players are now sponsoring the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) project for 2008. CARSTAR Franchise Systems and ABRA Auto Body & Glass are Platinum sponsors, the highest level of sponsorship. Gold sponsors are Auto Body Hawaii, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association
California Bill Would Prohibit Aftermarket Parts on Factory-Warranty Vehicles
California State Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, introduced legislation (S.B. 1059) on Jan. 7 that would prohibit an insurance company from requiring that an aftermarket part be used in the repair of a vehicle that is under factory warranty. Insurance companies could be fined $5,000 to $10,000 per violation. According to the Collision Repair Association
Allstate Insurance Company Files Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
Allstate Insurance Company has filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in regard to the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) also has filed a response. The appeal comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, New Orleans, affirmed the District Court ruling in