Auto Repair at Autobahn Speeds
Germans are known for their engineering prowess, which is reflected in the vehicles they produce — Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen — and the speed limits they post. And though Germans’ love for their automobiles has lessened and insurers love of meddling has grown, collision repairers are still finding business profitable.
Liability For Sale
With more than $3 trillion in assets belonging to the insurance industry, the acceptance of liability must be a valuable commodity — and the sale of liability must be a profitable business. So why are you only charging the wholesale time it takes you to do a task without financial consideration for the liability you accept?
Resolving Shop/Insurer Conflicts…Peacefully
Many shop owners complain that insurance companies aren’t allowing them to make a living. How is it, then, that so many other shop owners are working with insurers successfully?
The Court of Diminished Value
As consumers across the country file diminished value (DV) claims against insurers and hire lawyers to file DV class-action suits, repairers need to learn what the law says about DV — and if and when the scales of justice will be tipped against them.
Bought Out
“If I knew then what I know now …”. Only after promising them anonymity would several former shop owners speak openly about why they sold to consolidators, where it’s gotten them and if they regret it.
I’m Just A Bill: Why Not Get Involved?
On Capitol Hill, a lot of bills await their fate. And many of them — if enacted into law — will affect the profitability of your business. Why, then, aren’t more collision repairers actively involved in legislative activity?
The Next Generation: So What the Heck Are They Thinking?
If you knew what potential technicians were thinking, you could better encourage them into pursuing collision repair as a career.
Shift This: Dealing with Cost Shifting
Fed up with the games people play, a Connecticut body shop manager has developed a way to keep himself out of trouble when insurance companies cost shift.
Insurer Relations Profile: Freedom to do What You Want?
Many collision repair shop owners started their businesses for the freedom owning a business offers — freedom to be your own boss, freedom to do what you want, how you want, when you want.
The Next Generation: Difficulties Shop Owners have Recruiting New Blood into the Industry
The economy of our great nation has been strong enough of late that young folks who have the desire to succeed and become proficient at something can choose many career routes to follow. Unfortunately for us, repairing damaged vehicles doesn’t seem to be at the top of their wish lists. Computers, sales, various unionized trades … these choices rate higher than our industry. Just look at attendance at various vo-tech schools. More class space is allocated to other career choices, and more students attend classes for other career choices than they do for autobody repair.