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AUTOBODY AL / FL / GA / MS / NC / SC / TN / VA / WV
GA Auto Body Shop Owner, Customers Plead Guilty in Insurance Fraud Racketeering Case A Decatur, GA, auto body shop owner pleaded guilty Jan. 14 to staging car crashes and inflicting intentional damage on customers’ cars to pocket larger insurance payments. Alfonzo McKeever, 55, pleaded guilty to racketeering just before his trial was set to begin in Bibb County Superior Court. A judge sentenced him to serve 15 years. McKeever, of Stone Mountain, must serve the first two years in prison and the remainder on probation. He also must join his co-defendants in paying more than $19,000 in restitution to GEICO Insurance Company and more than
$15,000 to Progressive Insurance. If the case had gone to trial, prosecutors Matt Bridges and Kyle Owenby would have presented evidence showing: Between November 2013 and February 2015, McKeever operated the Impact Solutions body shop and The Viaduct Group Inc. used car lot, both located on Covington Highway in Decatur. Claims were called into the GEICO Insurance Claims unit located in Macon and into Progressive in attempts to fraudulently collect inSee Insurance Fraud, Page 27
Speakers at SCRS’ Ideas Collide Discuss Their Visions for Industry’s Future by John Yoswick
An automated system that can detect tiny dents or other vehicle “anomalies” within seconds. Collision parts being ordered within minutes of a crash. A not-for-profit data repository that would ensure shops have long-term access to their job file records. These were among the topics covered in a unique TED Talk-style presentation at “Ideas Collide,” a new session that the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) hosted during SEMA in Las Vegas in
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM
Vol. 9 / Issue 12 / February 2019
FL State Rep Jason Fischer Files Comprehensive Bill Promoting Autonomous Vehicles State Rep. Jason Fischer filed the first autonomous vehicle—aka selfdriving car—legislation of the 2019 Legislative Session. Submitted Jan. 17, the bill (HB 311) includes several provisions to get autonomous vehicles, or AVs, rolling on Florida roadways—even if there isn’t a person in a passenger seat. It defines many terms in the statute, including “automated driving systems” and “fully autonomous vehicles,” the former describing the hardware and software backbone of AVs and the latter being any vehicle equipped with such a system that is able to function without anybody on board. If an AV is involved in a crash, they would be exempt from certain laws so long as the car or a person contacts a law enforcement
agency. Additionally, Fischer’s bill would also open the door for an automated ride-sharing platform and allow The Florida Turnpike Enterprise to “fund, construct and operate test facilities” to study AV technology. The Florida Turnpike Enterprise is currently partnered with Florida Polytechnic University, the Florida Department of Transportation and Central Florida Automated Vehicle Partners to run the SunTrax testing facility, which is expected to open in April. “Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and Florida has a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle policy. Autonomous technology has the capaSee First Legislation, Page 4
Challenges of Processing Hail or Other Catastrophe Claims Among Discussion at Recent CIC
timating system,” but McDonnell said “cat team” claims handlers aren’t With another hail season approach- always aware of that. ing, a panel discussion at last No“We had to go through that vember’s Collision Industry [PDR] company for a supConference (CIC) offered plement,” McDonnell said. insights from shops, insur“We sent it to them and they ers and paintless dent repair took off a significant amount. companies on reducing fricThey said, ‘We have an tion related to catastrophe agreement [with the insurer claims after a major storm. involved] and you don’t get paid for those things.’ I had Matthew McDonnell Montana shop to call them and tell them, of Big Sky Collision in Monowner Matthew tana described some of the McDonnell said not ‘We have a different regulaall those helping tion in Montana. You cannot challenges of working on an insurer handle disregard repair operations, such “cat team” claims, such catastrophe claims and I just want to let you as those managed by a paintafter a storm will know you’re inconsistent less dent repair company. be aware of laws and regulations in with Montana law.’ They Since 2011, for example, the state in which said, ‘Oh, I don’t have to Montana has had a law that they are working follow Montana law.’” prohibits an insurer from But although some states may “unilaterally disregard(ing) a repair operation or cost identified by an esSee Processing Hail, Page 24 by John Yoswick
Pete Tagliapietra of NuGen IT suggested the industry develop a not-for-profit data repository to give shops long-term access to their job file records and other data
November. SCRS invited 10 speakers to offer ideas or visions related to See SCRS’ Ideas Collide, Page 14
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