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CCC Says Increase in Total Losses Adds to ‘Perfect Storm’ of Industry Downturn

In CCC Information System’s 2009 edition of Crash Course, the company predicts an increase in repair costs coupled with decreased vehicle values will contribute to more total losses in the coming year. In 2008, the auto-physical damage industry saw change due to a global recession and harsh weather. These factors had a major downstream impact

Most New York Insurers Withdraw or Decrease Rate Hike Requests

New York insurers have seemingly had a change of heart when it comes to rate increase requests. In August, the New York Department of Insurance asked the 48 insurance companies requesting an average 8-percent increase in rates to reconsider the hikes in light of gas prices, but the Insurance Information Institute claimed that rising collision

Insurance Institute Cites Rising Collision Repair Costs for Rate Hike Request

Forty-eight New York state insurance companies, in spite of a documented decrease in driving and accidents this year, have pending rate increase requests before the New York state insurance department. The department is requiring companies to assess the impact of decreased driving (click HERE to read our story about the nationwide decrease in miles driven)

Get Your Message Heard: Executing an Effective Marketing Plan

Creating and then executing an effective marketing plan isn’t easy. Here are some tips to help you succeed in getting your message out…and avoid wasting too much of your hard-earned money.

Profiting from Customer-Pay Repairs

Afraid to make an insurance claim, many consumers are paying out-of-pocket. This trend not only presents some challenges for collision repairers, but also some opportunities.

Market Pricing: Examining the Forces Behind It

independently of recessions and bear markets? Some industry leaders would say yes, they do. The reality is that body shop sales tend to follow meteorological trends rather than economic indicators. Hail storms and the shellacking of ice that some cities get in the winter do more to drive markets for body work than does the

The Jury’s Still Out: the Debate about Aftermarket Crash Parts

Two years after the landmark $1.2 billion State Farm class-action verdict, the debate about aftermarket crash parts still rages. What does the future hold for these OE counterparts? If you thought the controversy ended when the verdict came down, think again.

Off With the Parts!

Shuffling new parts from metal department to paint department and back again is beginning to show its age. Though industry critics insist painting parts off the car isn’t a practical alternative, some production shops disagree – and have the reduced cycle times and increased profits to prove it.

Auto Repair at Autobahn Speeds

Germans are known for their engineering prowess, which is reflected in the vehicles they produce — Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen — and the speed limits they post. And though Germans’ love for their automobiles has lessened and insurers love of meddling has grown, collision repairers are still finding business profitable.

Working on Alternate Vehicles: Some Solutions

Check out the following technical trouble spots and tips.