News Archives - Page 1119 of 1125 - BodyShop Business
Iowa Bill to Create Consumer Advocate Bureau in State

A bill that will create a consumer advocate bureau in Iowa was recently signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver. The bill, House File 2555, deals with a number of issues relating to the Iowa Insurance Department. Under the text of the bill, the consumer advocate bureau will be "responsible for ensuring fair treatment of

New EPA Rule to Impact Body Shops

A new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule, "40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources," applies to all body shops and to many other small shops that paint metal and/or plastic parts. It also includes separate requirements for businesses that

Protesters Speak Out Against Roof Crush Safety Proposal

Protesters rallied outside of the Department of Transportation Building in Washington, D.C., recently to protest a roof crush safety proposal which they believe will do little to save lives in automobiles that roll over. Rollovers make up less than 5 percent of all crashes, but 25 percent of all vehicle fatalities are from rollovers - exactly 10,000 every year,

Connecticut Right to Choose Shop Bill Approved by Senate

A Connecticut bill that would require disclosure to consumers that they have the right to choose the repair facility to complete repairs to their motor vehicles was approved by the state’s Senate last week. House Bill 5152 will now go to Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell for final approval. If passed, the bill would require

Minnesota Bill Prohibiting Estimating Database Manipulation Signed by Governor

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law legislation proposed by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) on May 8. Senate File 3508/House File 3822 prohibits insurers from unilaterally and arbitrarily disregarding a repair operation or cost identified by an estimating system. The legislation will become effective on August 1, 2008.   Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Passes Estimating Systems Bill

The Minnesota House recently passed a bill that will require insurance companies to use the agreed upon estimating systems in their entirety when calculating collision damage. Senate File 3508 adds to a laundry list of prohibited insurer actions the following language: "unilaterally and arbitrarily disregard a repair operation or cost identified by an estimating system,

California Legislators Considering Four Collision Repair Bills

Four bills affecting collision repair in California remain alive in the state legislature. Here’s a breakdown: 1. The full state Senate will vote on Senate Bill 1059 (Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco), sponsored by the Collision Repair Association of California, sometime during the second or third week of May. Collision repair trade associations and consumer

ESAB Demos Welding, Cutting and Safety

Proving that even an editor can effectively – and safely – use a plasma cutting torch, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products, North America recently allowed members of the media to try out its welding and cutting devices after the company’s experts exhibited them. The demos were part of ESAB’s press event on April 23 in

AIA Calls Latest Anti-Steering Legislation ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

In its most recent issue of Advocate, the American Insurance Association (AIA) calls the latest anti-steering legislation a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and says it could cost consumers millions of dollars in higher repair costs. “While proponents of new legislation market it as being pro-consumer," the article states, “the reality is that the legislation reduces

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