Chris Evans, Claim Consultant, explains State Farm’s recent decision to require I-CAR’s Welding program for collision repair facilities on its Select Service referral program. In April, State Farm Insurance announced it would begin requiring collision repair shops that participate in its Select Service referral program to have technicians with the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision […]
Interview: Bruce Bares, CEO, Certified Collision Group
Bares provides an update on the progress the Certified Collision Group has made since he came on board with the network last year. Interest in collision repair networks continues to grow in the industry as independent repair facility operators look for opportunities to grow their business in the face of ever increasing competition and consolidation. […]
Interview: Clint Marlow, Allstate Insurance
In our video interview, Clint Marlow, director of claims innovation for Allstate Insurance, details the how changing vehicle construction and technology is influencing the claim process, how claim technology will impact the industry and recent trends in frequency and claim costs. While changing vehicle construction techniques and technology is having an impact on collision repair […]
Interview: Michael Macaluso and Sam Freeman, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts
In our video interview, Michael Macaluso, president of CARSTAR North America, and Sam Freeman, vice president of development, detail the results of CARSTAR’s integration of the U.S. and Canadian operations and plans for future growth. It’s a little over one year since Driven Brands acquired both the U.S. and Canadian CARSTAR franchise networks. Over the […]
Interview: Russ Hoffbauer, State Farm Insurance
In our video interview, Russ Hoffbauer, director of claims for State Farm Insurance, explains the impact changing vehicle technology is having on collision repair claim frequency, cost and the referral process. He also examines changing claims technology as well as the continued evolution of the Select Service referral network. With over 18 percent of the […]
Interview: Guy Bargnes, Collision Industry Conference
Guy Bargnes, from Painters Supply & Equipment Co., takes over as chair of the Collision Industry Conference in January. In our video interview, Bargnes explains the value the Conference brings to the industry and how participation benefits attendees. He also invites the industry to participate in a survey of industry issues to inform the work of […]
Interview: Jake Rodenroth, Collision Diagnostic Services
The need for collision repair facilities to perform diagnostic scans and calibrations has grown dramatically. Jake Rodenroth from Collision Diagnostic Service, an outsource diagnostic provider focused on the needs of the collision repair industry, details the changing technical landscape driving the demand for electronic diagnostics. While mechanical repair facilities and dealership service departments have relied […]
Interview: Dave Parzen, General Manager Collision Repair Shop Certification, NSF International
Announced last year, NSF International’s collision repair certification program offers shops an alternative, independent certification. Parzen details the program, how it was developed, and how shops can participate in the program. Collision repair facility certification has received enormous attention in the past several years. While much of the focus has been on offerings from vehicle […]
Interview: Paul Gange, President and COO, Fix Auto USA
As the collision repair industry evolves, independent operators are wondering about their place in the future of the industry. Gange outlines common concerns repairers with future of the industry, the disruption looming from new business models, and what repairers need to do today to prepare for the future. Today’s independent collision repair facility owner or […]
Philadelphia I-CAR Committee Raises $30,000 to Support Collision Repair Education Foundation
Funds will support pre-employment collision education opportunities in southeastern Pennsylvania. On Thursday, September 15, the Greater Philadelphia-area I-CAR committee held its inaugural fundraiser at the Paxon Hollow Country Club, in Media, Pa. to benefit the Collision Repair Education Foundation and local collision repair school programs. Over 100 people participated in the golf tournament, evening banquet and […]