Insurance Institute Cites Rising Collision Repair Costs for Rate Hike Request
Forty-eight New York state insurance companies, in spite of a documented decrease in driving and accidents this year, have pending rate increase requests before the New York state insurance department. The department is requiring companies to assess the impact of decreased driving (click HERE to read our story about the nationwide decrease in miles driven)
NABC’s Recycled Rides Building Steam
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) 2008 Recycled Rides project – an initiative that hopes to donate 100 vehicles to 100 families in need on the Monday before Thanksgiving – is moving forward thanks to the cooperation of vendors across the United States. NABC credited Recycled Rides Vendor Coordinator Bruce Cooley of DuPont, Vehicle Procurement
Investigative Report Highlights Alleged Steering in New York
New York City CW affiliate WPIX-TV Channel 11 recently aired an investigative report about insurance companies’ alleged steering tactics, highlighting a lawsuit between Greg Coccaro – owner of North State Custom body shop in Bedford Hills, N.Y. – and Progressive Insurance, and a drop in business experienced by Personal Touch Autobody owner Mike Trinagel of
Kentucky Repairers Grade Kentucky Farm Bureau Best, Progressive Worst
For the first time ever, the Kentucky Farm Bureau ranked higher than State Farm in a survey of over 400 Kentucky collision repairers. Also, the Kentucky Farm Bureau was the only insurer that didn’t receive a single “F” from any one repairer on its report card. In the survey, which has been conducted since 2000
Oregon Shops Rank Best and Worst Insurance Companies
State Farm and several smaller Northwest-based auto insurers continue to be among the best at taking care of their customers after an accident. And some of the other larger, best-known insurers – including Progressive, Allstate, Safeco and Farmers Insurance – are among the worst. That was the finding of a new survey of Oregon body
Needy Families Got Much-Needed Lift from 2007 Recycled Rides Project
The inaugural National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides community awareness project whereby members of the NABC repaired and donated recycled vehicles to needy families throughout the United States was launched last Thanksgiving and generated a lot of enthusiasm throughout the collision industry. Six months later, the NABC, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing
Auto Insurers in Fierce Battle in 2008, Says WSJ Article
A recent article published in the Wall Street Journal shone a spotlight on how tough 2008 is shaping up to be for auto insurers, which could mean an even tighter squeeze on body shops and support for the sentiment that things will get worse before they get better. The article stated that insurance prices are
State of the Industry 2006
State of the Industry 2006 Too many shops, not enough work, not enough profit, too much insurer involvement and not enough business expertise on the part of shop owners are all contributing to the sorry state that is the collision repair industry. When repairers are discussing the state of the collision repair industry, I’m always
Power Steering
Insurers steering vehicles to their preferred shops has gotten out of control. But there are some action steps shops can take to counter its effect.
Troubled Times
Insurer profits are at record highs, and body shop profits are at record lows. Steering is rampant and labor rates are being suppressed. And repairers are supposed to get along with insurers?