The San Francisco Bay-area multiple shop operator has 11 collision repair centers. Eleven collision repair facilities in the San Francisco Bay area have joined the CARSTAR network, making this the new largest MSO under the CARSTAR banner. Mike Chilton, co-founder of Chilton Auto Body, is a second-generation repair center owner. Working for his father at […]
CARSTAR Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in California
CARSTAR announced the opening of CARSTAR Intrepid Collision, a 9,400 sq. ft. facility located at 1206 E Vía Roma, in Colton, Calif. Owner David Sanchez originally entered the industry from the insurance side, supporting customers with their claims and repair experience. Eventually making his way onto the collision repair side as a store owner and […]
Fix Auto Adds Three Store MSO to Collision Repair Network in San Francisco
Fix Auto USA announced that F. Lofrano and Son, with three locations in California’s San Francisco Bay area, has joined its network of independently-owned collision repair centers. Fix Auto USA now operates 135 locations in eight states. The three locations include: Fix Auto 17th Street (San Francisco) – Formerly F. Lofrano and Son–17th Street; operated […]
Cooks Collision Settles Hazardous Waste Lawsuit with California District Attorneys
$1.525 million settlement with collision repair facility operator follows undercover operation examining store waste streams by District Attorneys. Cooks Collision, Inc. with 38 collision repair centers in California, has settled a lawsuit brought by 15 District Attorney’s Offices in California for violations of the storage and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. The action […]
Fix Auto USA Adds Six Collision Repair Centers to Network
Fix Auto USA announced the addition of six franchise locations, bringing Fix Auto USA’s total number of locations to 132. The additional locations expand Fix Auto’s geographic footprint in multiple markets including: Las Vegas, Northern California, and Southern California. The locations include: Fix Auto Alameda (Alameda, Calif.), formerly Alameda Collision Repair, operated by Arthur Mercado; […]
California Senate Insurance Committee Amends Collision Repair Labor Rate Bill
Committee incorporates amendments to bill that seeks to offer insurers an alternative labor rate survey process to those in DOI regulations. Though the DOI does not have a position on the bill, it is concerned about amendments late in the legislative process. The California Senate Insurance Committee yesterday held a hearing on Assembly Bill 2276 […]
IBIS Plans US Event in February 2019
The International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) announced that it plans to host an IBIS Summit USA in February 2019. According to IBIS, it aims to attract 150 senior business leaders in collision repair to the event that will be held in California. Jason Moseley, IBIS CEO,in a post of the organization’s website said, “This is […]
California Auto Insurance Appraiser Sentenced to 10 Years for Insurance Fraud
Following conviction on 10 felony counts of insurance fraud for role in stage collision ring, appraised sentence to state prison. Collision repair facility operator also faces charges. Erwin Raul Mejia, 42, of Van Nuys, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison following his conviction on 10 felony counts of insurance fraud for his role […]
California Assembly Approves Collision Repair Labor Rate Survey Bill
Legislation that seeks to revise labor rate survey regulations now goes to Senate. The California Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 31 approved Assembly Bill 2276 (AB 2276) that would revise collision repair labor survey regulations that came into effect last year. The legislation was approved by a vote of 75-0. The legislation, that had been […]
California Bureau of Automotive Repair Accuses Two Collision Repair Shops of Fraud
Repair facility in Merced accused of insurance fraud. Sacramento body shop accused of defrauding customers. The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) announced it has filed accusations of fraud against two collision repair centers. An accusation against FH & Sons Auto Body & Paint, a registered auto body shop located in Merced, Calif., has been […]