Legislation mandates repairers use OEM collision repair procedures, requires written customer authorization for aftermarket parts. An Illinois Senate Bill that would revise the Illinois Automotive Collision Repair Act to require repair facilities to follow OEM procedures was passed Friday by the Senate with an amendment clarifying that the bill would not mandate OEM parts that […]
Texas House Insurance Committee Holds Hearing on Bill That Would Define Collision Repair Labor Rates, OEM Procedure Requirements
Hearing includes an emotional appeal in support of the legislation by Marcia Seebachan, the vehicle owner at the center of the $42 million negligence judgment against a Texas collision repair shop for unsafe collision repairs. At a hearing before the Texas House Insurance Committee on Tuesday, legislators heard from supporters and opponents of Texas House […]
Interview: Ray Fisher, Automotive Service Association
Fisher, who was named executive director of ASA in December, details 2019 initiatives and provides an update on the MSO Symposium and the future of NACE. In our video interview, Ray Fisher, executive director of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) explains that with the incredible pace of change facing both the mechanical and collision sides […]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Address Insurer Duty for Proper Collision Repairs
State Supreme Court grants plaintiffs appeal in $21 million bad faith case against Nationwide Insurance that was overturned. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on March 29 agreed to hear a plaintiffs appeal of the overturning of a $21 million bad faith judgement against Nationwide Mutual Insurance dating back to a 1996 accident and subsequent collision repair. […]
Louisiana Legislation Seeks to Prohibit Insurers from Using Photos to Generate Collision Repair Estimates
Legislation would require appraisers and insurers to disclose that consumers are not required to submit photos to obtain an appraisal. Bill also requires insurers to secure a signed aftermarket crash part disclosure. Legislation pre-filed in Louisiana seeks to prohibit appraisers from preparing repair estimates using photographs or telephone calls and require a personal inspection. House […]
Interview: Aaron Lowe, Senior Vice President, Regulatory & Government Affairs for the Auto Care Association
In our telephone interview, Lowe discusses the factors driving legislation to revamp Massachusetts Right to Repair law. In 2012, Massachusetts passed a Right to Repair law governing independent repairer and supplier access to the information necessary to repair consumer’s vehicles. As a result of that law, vehicle manufacturers and supporter of the Right to Repair […]
Virginia Passes Legislation Prohibiting Counterfeit and Non-Functional Airbags
Virginia is the latest state to make the manufacturer, sale or installation of a counterfeit or non-functional airbag a crime. Virginia House Bill 2143 (HB 2143) was signed by Governor Northam on March 14. The bill, introduced in January, amends Chapter 392, Section 46.2-1088.3 of the Code of Virginia to provide that any person is […]
GEICO Files RICO Lawsuit Against Arizona Glass Repair Shop
Insurer alleges facility forged customer signatures, charged for ADAS recalibrations not performed. Alleges $1.9 million in damages across more than 2,800 claims. GEICO has filed a federal lawsuit in Arizona, Government Employees Insurance Company, et al. v. A & E Solheim, LLC, d/b/a A & E Auto Glass, et. al., against the auto glass repair […]
New Hampshire House Approves Amended OEM Collision Repair Procedures Bill
Legislation now moves to the Senate. Bill excludes OEM recommendations against aftermarket collision repair parts, adds ability to use third-party paint and materials guides. On Tuesday, March 19, the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved legislation that would require an insurer to pay a claim based upon a repairer’s use of OEM collision repair procedures. […]
Interview, CCC Information Services on ADAS
Information provider details increased claim cost due to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and how they are influencing estimating process and repair information access. As the share of newer vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) installed has grown each year, collision repair facility operators have had to invest in the latest technology to repair these […]