California Insurance Department Hears Testimony on Proposed Anti-Steering Regulations
The California Autobody Association (CAA) testified at a public hearing Feb. 25 on the California Department of Insurance’s (DOI) proposed additions to the state’s anti-steering regulations (click HERE to read the full text of the proposal). The proposed rules would prevent an insurer from discussing DRPs or an alternative facility if the claimant informs the
Tennessee Considering Regulations Requiring Crashworthy Aftermarket Parts
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is examining the need for regulations that would require aftermarket crash parts to meet crashworthiness standards met by their OEM equivalents. Several aftermarket parts manufacturers use carbon steel in place of the high strength and ultra high strength steels used by OEMs, sparking safety and performance concerns.
Tennessee Considering Regulations Requiring Crashworthy Aftermarket Parts
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is examining the need for regulations that would require aftermarket crash parts to meet crashworthiness standards met by their OEM equivalents. Several aftermarket parts manufacturers use carbon steel in place of the high strength and ultra high strength steels used by OEMs, sparking safety and performance concerns.
Insurance Commissioners Request Review of ‘Outdated’ Aftermarket Parts Regulations
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has asked the Diamond Standard Brand Alternative Safety Part Division of Reflexxion Automotive and Production Bumper Stampings to review the model law governing aftermarket parts model regulations. Diamond Standard says the regulations, which outline for insurers the safeguards necessary for non-OEM parts to be permitted in repairs, are
California Repairers and Insurers Try to Create Fair Labor Survey Regulations
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner’s legal counsel, Bill Gausewitz, told representatives of insurers and collision repair associations that the commissioner is looking at adopting new rules for the application of insurer labor rate surveys in rate disputes between insurers and repairers, the Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) announced. A group of insurers and repairers
The Bottom Line: Many in This Industry Clearly Are Struggling to Run a Profitable Business
Before billing in dollars, I performed excellent work but was only paid for 60 to 70 percent of it,” says an Illinois shop owner. “The customers and insurance companies were happy, but I was poor.”
State Steering Regulations
Alabama None Alaska A claimant may not be required to travel unreasonably either to inspect a replacement motor vehicle, obtain a repair estimate, or have the motor vehicle repaired at a specific facility. If a person adjusting or settling a claim elects to have repaired a claimant’s motor vehicle and chooses a specific facility for
Is the Industry Suffering from Widespread Billing Fraud and Repair Defects
Editor’s Note: Some background: In 2000, California’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) launched an Autobody Inspection Program after Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation (2000-S.B. 1988) requiring the BAR to conduct a pilot program to determine the extent of autobody fraud in the state and to then recommend solutions to the legislature.
No Grease Monkeys Here: Our Industry’s Image
If you don’t think a lot of the problems we face in the collision repair industry are related to our negative image, think again. Between the public and the educators, our industry is often viewed as fit employment only for the mentally disabled and the drug and alcohol impaired. But it’s not their fault they think that way — it’s ours.
What Regulations Do Body Shops Mostly Break?
Both the EPA and OSHA respond.