Every Claim Is Not the Same
Insurance companies have led most consumers and shop owners to believe there’s no difference between first- and third-party claims – even though entirely different sets of laws and rules apply. And these differences can affect every aspect of your shop, from job scheduling to parts selection to liability to profitability.
Stacking the Odds In His Favor
Leonard Lassak’s pancake philosophy.
When Does Insurer Steering Become Illegal?
Every day, insurers tell customers: "They’re not on our list of shops." "We can’t guarantee their work." "We may not be able to help you as much as we’d like if you take your car to that shop." Fed up, a few shop owners across the country have gathered evidence that insurer actions are depriving them of their right to compete and have filed tortious interference lawsuits. The result: multimillion-dollar settlements.
Victims of Our Own Stupidity
Has the United States gone from the “Land of Opportunity” and Americans from hard-working, responsible people to the “Land of You Owe Me a Living” and to people who are totally self-absorbed, don’t think for themselves and blame everyone else for their own poor judgment?
Never Lose Sight of the Goal
Giving away business? In today’s competitive and consolidating marketplace, how could such a thing happen?
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.
Retaining Good Law Information
Working to level the playing field between shops and insurers, Chicago attorney Patrick McGuire has created a program where he’s at the beck and call of shops in need of law advice. To the many shop owners he’s helped educate, McGuire is collision repair’s answer to Ann Landers.
Bigger and Better: Increasing Productivity
Since productivity was such a priority to shop owner Leonard Lassak, he really did his homework on it. Lucky for us, he’s letting us borrow his Cliffs Notes
Associations: Time to Join or a Waste of Time?
Opinions vary regarding the repair industry’s national associations, but one thing is certain: The industry has a wide range of national associations, each with differing beliefs, views and goals. Our examination of the industry’s national groups may help you decide if one coincides with your own convictions
Complain to the Right People
If a CAPA part doesn’t work for whatever reason, sitting around the shop complaining about it won’t solve the problem. Take the time you’d spend griping and fill out a CAPA Part Complaint Form instead