Iowa Senator Calls for DRP Study
Legislation filed by Iowa Sen. Brad Zaun, S.F. 23, calls for a study of the effects of DRPs. This bill requests that the legislative council establish an interim study committee to examine DRPs used by auto insurance companies to have claimants’ vehicles repaired. The study would include a review and analysis of the use of
Iowa Shop Is ‘Fowl-ing’ Up Customers Who Hit Deer
For Details Plus Collision Center in Indianola, Iowa, business is always booming during deer season. So this year, the shop is sweetening the pot for those clients whose vehicles have had unfortunate run-ins with one of Bambie’s relatives by passing out free turkeys. “Every deer season, we’re looking for something different to do," Debbie Seifert-Benesh,
Iowa Bill Would Make Paint and Materials Sales Tax Exempt
The Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA) is working with Iowa legislators on a Senate study bill (SSB 3180) that the association says would boost shop profits by an estimated 7 percent by exempting paint and other materials from sales tax. The legislation reads: This bill exempts from the sales and use taxes the sales price
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Adds Muscatine, Iowa Franchise
Minneapolis-based ABRA Auto Body & Glass recently announced the opening of its 98th repair center. Located in Muscatine, Iowa, this is the second ABRA franchise awarded to brothers Tim and Jeff Weber. “We are very happy with the success of their franchise in Dubuque, Iowa," said Mark Wahlin, vice president of franchising. "Their success can
Iowa Repairer Accuses Insurers of Cheating Government Out of Tax Revenue
With the federal deficit at an all-time high, body shop owner Tom O’Mara figured the government could use all the additional tax revenue it could get. The problem as he sees it, however, is that insurance companies are making it worse by cheating the government when they fail to pay auto claims in full. “When
State Farm’s George Avery to Speak to Iowa Collision Repairers at Industry Days
The Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA) is hosting the second Iowa Collision Industry Days on Oct. 21 and 22 at Prairie Meadows in Des Moines, Iowa. ICRA brings two days of industry education and awareness beginning Wednesday afternoon with: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), presented by Dan Nickey of the Iowa Waste
Iowa DOI Finds No Insurer Wrongdoing After Investigation
An investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) of insurance companies that were allegedly telling consumers that they would have to pay the difference for repairs at shops that didn’t charge the prevailing rate has found no wrongdoing by those insurers. “The complaint records were checked for any consumer complaints that dealt with [this] concern,”
Iowa DOI to Conduct Labor Rate Survey Following Shop’s Complaint
The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) will conduct its own independent labor rate survey this week and compare the results to insurance company labor rate survey data as part of an investigation into whether certain insurers have been telling consumers that they’ll have to pay the difference for repairs at shops that don’t charge the prevailing
Wagonwork’s Anderson, Progressive’s Andreoli Headline Iowa Collision Industry Day
On April 14, the Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA) is hosting a full day of collision industry education and awareness at the Clarion Hotel in Cedar Rapids. The event brings Mike Anderson’s “Best Estimating Practices” eight-hour seminar to Iowa for the first time, offering Anderson’s educational tools in a motivating atmosphere. Chris Andreoli, Progressive corporate
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