Critics say reports show technology not living up to hype though performance varies widely across companies. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reported that companies with a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California with a safety driver reported their technology drove more than 2 million miles in autonomous mode during the most recent […]
NABR Launches New Version of Its California Labor Rate Survey
National AutoBody Research (NABR) announced the launch of its newly revised California Standardized Auto Body Labor Rate Survey, based on the labor rate survey format defined by the California Department of Insurance (CDI). As new laws in California for storage took effect at the New Year, and to respond to market activity in California, NABR […]
Progressive Plans to Hire More Than 10,000 in 2019
Progressive Insurance announced it expects to hire more than 10,000 people in the coming year to support its growth. The company has grown more than 50 percent in the last three years to $30 billion in revenue for 2018. Positions the company will offer include IT and analyst roles, corporate functions, customer care and claims […]
California Moves to Restrict Methylene Chloride in Paint Strippers
New regulation requires manufacturers to consider replacing methylene chloride with safer ingredients. As of January 1, manufacturers of paint and varnish strippers containing methylene chloride, a chemical that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) says has contributed to numerous deaths, will have to look for safer alternatives if they want to continue selling […]
CARSTAR Adds Two Collision Repair Centers to Network in California
CARSTAR, announced the addition of two new California facilities, CARSTAR Body Best Collision of Sonoma and CARSTAR Body Best Collision of Suisun, to its network. Dino Di Giulio has owned the 8,500 sq. ft. Sonoma repair center for over 28 years. CARSTAR Body Best Collision of Suisun, an 8,000 square foot facility, is Di Giulio’s […]
California Regulator Takes Control of Small Failing Insurer Impacted by Wildfires
Deadliest and most destructive fire in California history overwhelms Merced Property & Casualty Company. The California Insurance Department took expedited legal action to secure the assets of and take control of Merced Property & Casualty Company, in an effort to protect the company’s policyholders, including those who suffered losses in the Camp Fire. provided both […]
CARSTAR Adds Two Collision Repair Centers to its Network in California
CARSTAR announced the opening of two new California facilities, CARSTAR McLaren Lake Forest and CARSTAR McLaren Irvine. Owned by husband and wife team, James and Mary Davis, CARSTAR McLaren Lake Forest and CARSTAR McLaren Irvine are a family business. James Davis came from a collision repair family, with both his father and brother in the […]
Collision Reporting Center to Open in California
Accident Support Services International Ltd. (ASSI), facilitators of collision reporting to the insurance industry, announced its’ newest U.S. Collision Reporting Center (CRC) will open December 4 in Gardena, Calif. in partnership with the City of Gardena and the Gardena Police Department. ASSI, in partnership with insurers and local law enforcement agencies, have been operating Collision […]
CARSTAR Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in California
CARSTAR announced the addition of CARSTAR Orange Central, an over 14,000 sq. ft. collision repair center, located at 670 N. Batavia Street, in Orange, Calif. to its multi-store network of independently owned facilities. Craig Borja, owner of CARSTAR Orange Central, started in the industry young and primarily repaired luxury vehicles. Working his way through various […]
Auto Body Shop Owner Alleged Ring Leader of Insurance Fraud Ring in California
Detectives from the California Department of Insurance, arrested four people November 16 for allegedly ripping off four auto insurers for more than $34,000 by filing fraudulent insurance claims. One additional suspect was taken into custody Thursday, November 15, 2018. All suspects were booked into the Sacramento County Jail. Investigated by the Urban Auto Fraud Task […]