California Court Sides with Insurers in Labor Rate Survey Case
A California shop owner recently lost his appellate court case against Progressive and Allstate, which he accused of engaging in unlawful and unfair business practices by paying “artificially low” labor rates based on surveys including DRP shops. In the decision filed Monday, the court upheld a lower court’s decision that the insurers were operating within
Shop Licensing Bill Introduced in Missouri for Second Consecutive Year
A bill introduced in Missouri, S.B. 709, would establish a board of auto body repair and require auto body repair shops and auto physical damage appraisers to be licensed. The bill is similar to one introduced in 2009 but includes some changes, according to Bob Smith of the Missouri Kansas Collision Coalition (MOKAN Collision). Smith
GEICO’s Popular Characters Missing from New Ad Campaign
GEICO, which spent $561 million in advertising in 2008 and $473 million through October 2009, has set aside the cavemen, the gecko and Kash, the googly-eyed pile of money, to introduce a new ad campaign entitled, "Rhetorical Questions." The new ads spotlight GEICO’s claim that car owners can reap great savings by purchasing car insurance
IP Relay Scam Calls Still Circulating Throughout Industry
When Barrett Smith got the strange, operator-assisted call, he knew exactly what was up. The president of Auto Damage Experts, Inc., in Dover, Fla., had read about the scam in BodyShop Business and knew how to handle it. “It was the same old song and dance about a guy who has a Cadillac Escalade in
Maaco Honors Top-Performing Franchisee at Conference
Charlene and Marty Klyne of Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting in Regina, Saskatoon, Canada, received the Maaco Cup award at a recent convention held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The award recognizes the chain’s top-performing franchisee. “I’m honored to be singled out for accolades from among all 475 Maaco franchises,” said Charlene Klyne.
CRA Opposes Class Action Against State Farm
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) said that it does not support litigation against State Farm in its year-end review of legislation and court decisions. However, the CRA did say it’s important to continue to file complaints against insurers with the Department of Insurance (DOI), though the association admitted it has seen little success
Northeast States Edge Closer to Adopting Waterborne Paint Regulations
The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) has officially adopted a resolution calling on its member states to adopt waterborne paint regulations. The model regulations place limits for volatile organic compounds (VOC) that would require collision repair facilities to convert to waterborne basecoat refinish systems by Jan. 1, 2012. The model rule also would require the use
AkzoNobel Benevolence Program Gives Over Three Dozen Families Transportation
Collision centers across the United States and Canada are sharing the gift of transportation with 37 families and community members during the 11th annual AkzoNobel Acoat selected National Benevolence Program, being held Dec. 8 through 15. The Benevolence Program is a community service endeavor sponsored by AkzoNobel and conducted by collision repair centers that are
ASA Michigan Members Now Have Access to Green Certification
Dewey’s Auto Body in Hastings, Mich., is the first Automotive Service Association of Michigan (ASAM) member to be registered against the Certified Green Investment (CGI) standards sanctioned under federal, state and local Green programs, Ray Fisher, executive vice president, announced. With accredited CGI registration, ASAM says member shops can now attract consumers in an
GUEST EDITORIAL: What’s So Bad About Steering?
My shop actually benefits from steering and would probably be out of business without it. So what’s the big deal?