Legislative Lowdown
California – California Senate Bill 1059, which would have made it unlawful for any insurer to require the installation of an aftermarket part for the first three years of the vehicle’s life as well as restrict the ability of insurers to replace a part with a lower priced replacement part during this same three-year period,
Quality Parts Coalition Gains Additional Support from New York
Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) today welcomed the New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA) as an integral part in the Coalition’s fight to secure legislation preventing what the QPC views as potential monopolies in the automotive aftermarket parts market. The QPC formed in March 2007 in response to an International Trade Commission ruling mandating exclusive
Property/Casualty Insurers’ Net Income Down 50 Percent in First Quarter
The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry’s net income after taxes fell to $8.2 billion in first quarter 2008 from $16.2 billion in first quarter 2007 and a cyclical peak of $17.7 billion in first quarter 2005. Reflecting the declines in net income, the property/casualty industry’s annualized rate of return on average policyholders’ surplus (statutory net worth)
NABC Emergency Preparedness Brochure Timely As Ever
In the aftermath of the horrific hurricane season of 2005, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) produced the "Are You Prepared?" emergency preparedness brochure written specifically for collision repair facilities and their employees. The eight-page, full-color, illustrated document includes such tools as an emergency preparedness insurance coverage review and supplies checklist. Recent tragic events in
I-CAR Event Boosts Awareness for New Advanced High Strength Steel Training Program
Over 300 industry professionals gathered in Cerritos, Calif., on May 6 to complete the newest I-CAR training program (Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair – SPS07) and understand how the newest I-CAR programs provide the technical knowledge needed to identify and safely repair consumers’ vehicles. Organized by the southern California I-CAR volunteers and program instructors,
I-CAR Announces New Chief Staff Executive
The International Board of Directors of the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) announced that it has appointed John W. Edelen to fill the position of president and chief executive officer of the organization. Edelen has served as interim chief executive since November 2007. “Since last November, at the request of the I-CAR Board,
Anti-Steering Video Public Service Announcement Now Available to SCRS Affiliate Associations
A broadcast quality video public service announcement (PSA) informing consumers of the illegality of insurance company steering is being made available by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) to its affiliate associations. The 30-second spots were developed by Ozone Advertising, Design and Strategy, a San Francisco Bay Area firm. Developed to be aired
Legislative Lowdown
Connecticut – 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 recently approved by the state’s Senate. House Bill 5152 will now go to Gov. M. Jodi Rell for final approval. If passed, the bill would require
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – Reps. David Scott (D-Ga.) and Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) have introduced H.R. 5611, the National Association of Registered Agents & Brokers Reform Act (NARAB II). The bill aims to modernize the current system of insurance agent licensing as it applies to those who are registered in multiple states. If passed, H.R. 5611 will establish
ASA Talks With Allstate About New Technology
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently met with Randy Hanson, a claim service manager for Allstate who’s overseeing its direct-repair program, to learn about Allstate’s new technology efforts and vendor credentialing program. Allstate recently announced that it’s moving forward with an “open platform” concept for repair facilities in its Priority Repair Option (PRO) program. The