Kentucky Association Urges Repairers to Voice Displeasure Over CCC ‘Bumper Refinish Prompt’ Issue
The Automotive Service Council of Kentucky (ASC) is urging the members of its association and members of other associations to write a letter to CCC Information Services, Inc., to express their displeasure over the information provider’s recent decision to reintroduce the “bumper refinish prompt” in the latest version of its software (read the story HERE).
COVER STORY: The New DRP
Without significant changes to current direct-repair programs, all parties involved are stuck with a system that has become a fertile garden for corruption, abuse, extortion and inefficiency.
DEG Surpasses 1,000 Inquiries
The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) announced that it has processed over 1,000 inquiries. This milestone comes before the close of its first full year of operation. “The three national trade associations joined together for this initiative to offer a service to the industry that we believed would improve the communication process as it related to
SCRS Hires New Executive Director
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has hired Aaron Schulenburg as its executive director, filling the position left vacant by Dan Risley in August. The SCRS believes Schulenburg’s combined experience in collision repair businesses, associations and interindustry relations will be a great asset for the association and its affiliates. Schulenburg currently serves as the
Florida Autobody Collision Alliance Newest SCRS Affiliate
The Florida Autobody Collision Alliance (FACA), a new statewide association, is now a Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) affiliate association. There have always been successful regional associations in Florida, but until recently, no large-scale attempt had been made to coordinate their efforts or facilitate communication between them, FACA says. That began to change in
Federal Circuit Revises Standard for Design Patent Infringement
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on Sept. 22 that the "ordinary observer" standard is the sole test for determining design patent infringement, replacing the "point of novelty" test used for more than 20 years. The ordinary observer test includes whether an object claimed to be infringing is so similar to
The Big Stuff
There may be less insurer involvement and less overcapacity in the heavy truck collision repair business than there is in the passenger car business, but it has plenty of its own unique challenges.
Expedited Supplements Approved in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board (ADALB) recently voted to adopt regulations establishing expedited supplements in the collision repair process and to increase the amount of money a shop can note for a supplement before an appraiser is assigned. The regulation increased the supplement amount from $500 to $1,500 and is the first change
Expedited Supplements Approved in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board (ADALB) recently voted to adopt regulations establishing expedited supplements in the collision repair process and to increase the amount of money a shop can note for a supplement before an appraiser is assigned. The regulation increased the supplement amount from $500 to $1,500 and is the first change
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on “The State of the Insurance Industry: Examining the Current Regulatory and Oversight Structure.” U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) addressed the need for modernization of the insurance regulatory structure into an optional federal charter (OFC) to establish the United