Laws Banning Cell Phone Use While Driving Don’t Reduce Crashes, Insurance Data Indicate
As state legislators across the United States enact laws that ban phoning and/or texting while driving, a new Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) study finds no reductions in crashes after hand-held phone bans take effect. Comparing insurance claims for crash damage in four U.S. jurisdictions before and after such bans, the researchers find steady claim
New Web Site Assists Body Shops with EPA 6H Rule Compliance
GRC-Pirk Management has launched a new Web site, haps6h.com, which links with the U.S. EPA Collision Repair Campaign (CRC). The site is designed to assist body shops in complying with the EPA’s NESHAP 40 CFR 63: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources; Final Rule, also called the 6H Rule. The HAPs
CA Insurance Commissioner’s Cousin Charged with Insurance Fraud, Embezzlement Totaling $300,000
Auto insurance claims adjuster Paul Poizner, cousin of California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, has been charged with 60 counts of auto insurance fraud and embezzlement, the Los Angeles Times reported. Paul Poizner, an adjuster for California Casualty Management, is accused of submitting auto claims totaling more than the repair cost and pocketing the difference –
STRANGE BUT TRUE: Distracted Driver Shoots His Way Out of Sinking SUV
A California driver who sank his SUV into a creek used an unusual tool to bust his way out – his trusty handgun. The Associated Press reported that the 28-year-old, an armed casino security guard, was startled by his SUV’s hands-free cell phone device on Sunday. The jolt caused the man to swerve, drive the
Chrysler Approves PPG’s Low-VOC Etch Primers
PPG’s new SX1071 and Nexa Autocolor P565-9880 Etch Primers have received approval by Chrysler Group, LLC., for warranty repairs on its vehicles. SX1071 is a low-VOC, two-component acid etch primer specifically designed to provide adhesion and corrosion resistance to properly prepared steel and aluminum surfaces while offering fast dry characteristics. It is part of the
CAA Adds VeriFacts VQ Program as New Member Benefit
The California Autobody Association (CAA) will offer the new VeriFacts VQ Program as its newest member benefits. As part of an agreement with CAA, VeriFacts will offer a discount on the program to members. The VeriFacts VQ Program assists shops with identifying and inspecting all shop equipment related to a structural repair. In addition, the
GEICO’s Popular Characters Missing from New Ad Campaign
GEICO, which spent $561 million in advertising in 2008 and $473 million through October 2009, has set aside the cavemen, the gecko and Kash, the googly-eyed pile of money, to introduce a new ad campaign entitled, "Rhetorical Questions." The new ads spotlight GEICO’s claim that car owners can reap great savings by purchasing car insurance
Caliber Collision Centers Opens Shop No. 4 in Houston
Caliber Collision Centers announced the addition of yet another shop in the Houston area with the opening of a newly renovated, 23,900-square-foot, state-of-the-art collision repair center in Katy, Texas. "The opening of the Katy location is the next step in Caliber’s Houston growth strategy," said Steve Grimshaw, CEO of Caliber Collision Centers. "We’re committed to
CRA Opposes Class Action Against State Farm
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) said that it does not support litigation against State Farm in its year-end review of legislation and court decisions. However, the CRA did say it’s important to continue to file complaints against insurers with the Department of Insurance (DOI), though the association admitted it has seen little success
CAA Announces 2010 Board Members
The California Autobody Association (CAA) state board met in Riverside, Calif., for its fourth quarter board meeting on Dec. 5 to discuss issues and the association’s direction for 2010. At the meeting, the CAA state board approved the new Executive Committee state board members for 2010: • President – Gigi Walker, Walkers Auto