Missouri Licensing Bill Receives Strong Opposition from Insurers
Good news and bad news came out of the April 12 hearing of Missouri S.B. 709, according to Bob Smith, ASA MoKan Collision Division director. The bill would create licensing procedures for auto body repair facilities and physical damage appraisers. The good news, Smith says, is that the bill got a hearing in a year
Appraiser Claims Betterment Wrongly Taken on Missouri Repairer’s Estimate
Based on an analysis of the estimate of a repairer who stated that an insurance company knocked $261 off paint and materials due to the age of the vehicle repaired, one independent appraiser believes the insurer wrongly took betterment. Last week, BodyShop Business reported that Gary Powers, owner of GR Powers & Son in Joplin,
Missouri Repairers Urged to Show Support for Shop Licensing Bill
A hearing has been scheduled for Missouri S.B. 709, a bill that would create licensing procedures for autobody repair facilities and physical damage appraisers, in Jefferson City, Mo., on Monday, April 12, at 2 p.m. in Senate Lounge. The Automotive Service Association of Missouri and Kansas (ASA MoKan) is urging its members to attend the
Missouri Shop Selected for GEICO’s ARX Program
Schaefer Autobody Centers’ O’Fallon, Mo., location was chosen to participate in GEICO’s Auto Repair Xpress program. Schaefer Autobody Centers originally opened in 1985 at its current location in Webster Groves, Mo. The O’Fallon location opened in 2000. Other locations include Crestwood, Ellisville, Fenton and Creve Coeur. Schaefer says its growth has been the result of
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
Auto Is Most Complained About Insurance in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Insurance (DOI) says consumers have complained about auto insurance the most in 2009. In the first nine months of 2009, the department fielded almost 4,200 formal complaints and assisted nearly 3,000 consumers in writing and another 21,000 over the telephone. The most common reasons for complaints to the department were: denial
Kansas-Missouri Repairers Learn Lean ‘Heijunka’ Concept at Meeting
‘Heijunka’ almost sounds like an alternative to what you would say to someone who sneezed, but in reality it’s a lean concept that’s nothing to sneeze at. The Kansas City Collision Group of the ASA Missouri/Kansas found that out at a recent presentation given by David McCreight of Collision Resources, Inc., who taught repairers how
Missouri DOI Bars Auto Insurer from Writing New Business in State
The Missouri Department of Insurance has issued a cease-and-desist order against a Chicago-based auto insurance company, citing numerous consumer complaints and violations of state law. Department Director John M. Huff issued the order on June 11, forbidding Universal Casualty Company from writing any new business in Missouri until certain allegations are resolved. According to the
Missouri Associations Announce 4th Annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum
AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN announced that registration is open for the 4th Annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum on June 17 at the Holiday Inn Select in Columbia, Mo. Speakers featured for this forum are: • Craig Brace, Pure Marketing – Session Keynote Speaker • Toby Chess –How to Increase Your Gross
Missouri Eyes Anti-Steering Legislation
The Missouri House of Representatives is considering a bill that would prevent steering by insurance companies. The bill, H.B. 834, would require that estimates for damage claims written on behalf of an insurer include a written notice that says the following: NOTICE UNDER MISSOURI LAW, THE VEHICLE OWNER AND/OR LESSEE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE