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Paint, Body & Equipment Specialists Spring Conference: Evolution Not Revolution
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While the Missouri Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industrial Relations Committee passed Senate Bill 775 sponsored by Sen. Wes Shoemyer, the anti-steering bill isn’t likely to move any further since the legislative session ends on May 16. The bill requires insurance carriers to inform auto insurance policyholders on first contact...
A class action lawsuit was filed today in United States Federal Court, Central District, alleging that State Farm is enriching itself with payments rightfully belonging to its insureds in violation of California law, particularly the "Make Whole Rule." When State Farm policyholder Stuart Chandler of Fresno, Calif., was rear-ended, his...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
