Pennsylvania Senator Experiences Steering Firsthand, Calls for Investigation
A Pennsylvania senator who says he experienced insurer steering firsthand has introduced legislation to address the issue. Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. introduced S.R. 254, which calls on Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario to investigate the practice of steering by insurers in the collision repair industry. The resolution asks that Ario investigate insurer steering in the
King Collision Center Names Iraq War Veteran Manager for Newest Location
King Collision Center, a multi-site operator serving the region south of Boston, recently named Kevin Ouellette manager of its Raynham, Mass., location. Ouellette will oversee operations at King’s third and newest location. Ouellette holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine. After earning his degree in 2005, he attended U.S. Army flight
READER’S CHOICE: Dealing with Inexperienced Estimators
“Is the trend of young, ill-prepared insurance estimators here to stay? How will this affect sales when estimates are so poorly written and biased more than ever in favor of insurers?” – Thomas Graddy, owner, Graddy’s Body Shop, Earlington, Ky.
READER’S CHOICE: Attracting New Talent
“How do we draw more technicians into this business? We’re making less profit and doing more work for the insurance companies. The insurance companies are going to force themselves into a situation where they won’t have qualified shops.” – Bob Showers, body shop manager, Bentley Pontiac-GMC, Huntsville, Ala.
Collision Survival Guide
Business strategies for a slow market.
California Senate Committees Hear Aftermarket Parts Bill, Other Collision Repair Bills
The California Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Collision Repair Association of California (CRA)-sponsored Senate Bill 1059 by a 3-2 vote and agreed to add the following provision to the bill: “At the time of sale, the insurer shall specifically notify the insured whether the insurance contract allows for the use of aftermarket parts, and that
Reader’s Choice – Raising Rates Without Losing Business
“How do you raise rates and tell insurance companies what they should be paying for without losing business?”
— John Thompson, estimator, West Herr Collision Center,
Hamburg, New York
Reader’s Choice – Used Parts: Structurally Proper Repair?
“Is putting on a used part (e.g. quarter panel) considered a structurally proper repair when only the outer skin needs to be replaced?”
— Gary Atherton, general manager, Devoe Collision Center, Naples, Fla.
Collision Repair Association of California Sponsors Two Bills
The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) is sponsoring S.B. 1167 to stop insurers from driving through two holes in California’s anti-steering law. The legislation, introduced Feb. 7 by state Sen. Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), requires insurers to first determine if the claimant has selected a shop before any discussion of repairs; it prohibits insurer
Are Aftermarket Parts Good or Bad for the Collision Repair Industry?
Point Counterpoint with Ronald Baker, Jr., and Tim O’Day
