ABPA Goes Over Results of Crash Test at CIC
The Automotive Body Parts Association went over the results of its December 2010 laboratory crash test at the Collision Industry Conference in Secaucus, New Jersey on March 17, stating that the test proves that aftermarket crash parts are safe. The CIC presentation was called, "The Truth About Aftermarket Parts: A Scientific Assessment," and was given
Back to Basics: Financials
Gross profit percentage, breakeven point, accrual accounting…these are all things you need to understand to get ahead and stay ahead in our rapidly changing industry.
How Cloud Computing Affects Collision Repair
As the use of cloud computing has increased, so too have repairers’ concerns over how their data is being used. So how is it being used? And are repairers’ privacy concerns justified? We try to separate fact from fiction and see if the positives outweigh the negatives.
SCRS Submits Final Opposition Letter to NCOIL Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair Model Act
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has submitted a final letter of opposition to the National Conference of Insurance Legislators’ (NCOIL) Motor Vehicle Crash Parts and Repair Model Act in advance of NCOIL’s spring meeting March 4-6 in Washington, D.C. The letter, which is signed by 37 other automotive associations, restates this coalition’s opposition
WIN Conference Registration Opened and Key Note Speakers Announced
Registration for the 2011 Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Conference is now open. The conference will be held May 1-3, 2011 at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, Calif., and will feature two keynote speakers: Lauren Fix and Jennifer Sertl. Lauren Fix is a recognized automotive and lifestyle expert. She has been seen on numerous
Mass. ‘Right to Repair Coalition’ Announces Boost in Membership, Legislation Re-File
Citing growth in its statewide membership since last year, the Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition announced the legislation has been re-filed for the 2011-12 legislative session in Massachusetts. The legislation would provide non-dealership repair shops with access to OEM repair data equal to that of dealerships. The coalition says it achieved success last year by
Survey Confirms Consumers Intend to Keep Cars Longer
Collision repairers are well aware that the average age of vehicles on the road today is near 10 years old, which doesn’t bode well for business. But a new survey is even more discouraging in that it revealed that consumers with vehicles 10-years-old or more will keep their cars another five years, on average. The
Pennsylvania Body Shop Reports 17 Percent Increase in Sales in 2010
Professionals Auto Body, with collision repair centers in Altoona and Duncansville, Pa., reportedly enjoyed a banner year in 2010 by realizing a 17 percent increase in sales and adding seven new customer service and technical positions. Owner Ron Perretta says these increases allowed him to invest over $300,000 in new technical and service equipment that
Court Rejects Class Action on GEICO Insurance Fraud
The 7th Circuit Court in Chicago dismissed a man’s prospective class action that accused GEICO of omitting necessary repairs from its collision-damage estimates because he donated his car to charity after the crash instead of choosing to fix it, Courthouse News reported. The ruling supported the decision of an Illinois federal court that ruled in
U.S. Senate Judiciary Making McCarran-Ferguson Repeal a Priority in 2011
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Judiciary Committee chairman, announced in a recent speech that patent reform, online piracy and counterfeiting, and the repeal of the antitrust exemption for health insurers would be his top priorities this coming year. With regard to McCarran-Ferguson Act repeal, Leahy said he will continue to seek to repeal the health