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MSCRA Negotiating Consumer Bill of Rights, Plans PSAs and Training for 2017
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
Over the past couple months a task force has been established in MS with the end goal of creating a “consumer bill of rights” to help consumers understand their rights and what they pay for their insurance coverage. John Morgan Hughes, Lobbyist and Executive Director for the Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MSCRA), has been heavily involved in this series of meetings which include the association, body shops, insurance companies, OEM manufacturers, and attorneys, in addition to Insurance Commissioner
Mike Chaney and Attorney General Jim Hood. Hughes believes the outcome of these meetings will be a positive change for the industry. Although he can’t discuss the details of the meetings, he states, “The meetings are interesting and well-attended on both sides. A lot of good ideas are being brought forward. While there has been some distrust between these groups historically, I feel that something positive will come from these conversations. I appreciate the foresight and open-mindedness of our Insurance Commissioner and AtSee MSCRA Negotiates, Page 59
Proposed Crash Parts Legislation in Arkansas Dies with Voice Vote
See Parts Legislation Dies, Page 24
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
Proposed Arkansas legislation that ASA said would have reversed consumer protections and diluted a healthy relationship between repairer and consumer died in the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce in February. Robert L. Redding, Jr., the ASA Washington D.C. representative, said the bill faced considerable opposition from Arkansas collision repair shops. “We were grateful that the committee responded to our concerns so quickly and decisively,” said Redding. “Thankfully, the bill died with a voice vote.”
Introduced by state Senator Greg Standridge, R-16, Senate Bill 291 would have repealed the state’s requirement for the use of original equipment parts in the repair of a vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, unless the vehicle owner has given written consent otherwise. The bill had passed the state Senate 21-9. Redding said ASA members and the ASA Midwest affiliate team were very clear in their opposition to the legislation. Members were encouraged to contact their legislators in opposition to the committee markup.
Change Service Requested
by Stacey Phillips
VOL. 8 ISSUE 2 APRIL 2017
Survey Shows How Regularly Shops Get Paid for Shop Supplies, Aluminum Labor Rates Automaker repair procedures and position statements have a clear and positive effect for repairers looking to get reimbursed for “not-included” items.
That was among the findings of a recent “Who Pays for What?” survey, four questionnaires a year conducted by Collision Advice and CRASH Network. Each of the quarterly surveys focuses on a different aspect of collision repair, asking shops about which “not-included” procedures they bill for, and about how frequently each of the largest auto insurers pays for those procedures. The latest of the 2017 “Who Pays”
The survey asked shops that have earned one or more OEM aluminum repair certification to rate their satisfaction on their return in that investment
surveys, focused on body labor operations, is being conducted throughout the month of April; visit https://www .crash network.com/collisionadvice for more information or to take the survey. See Who Pays For What?, Page 26
PPG Confirms Interest in AkzoNobel, So Far ‘No’
PPG confirmed on March 10 that it made an attractive and comprehensive proposal to Akzo Nobel N.V. on March 2, 2017, inviting AkzoNobel to enter into negotiations with PPG on a potential transaction to form a combined company, which AkzoNobel rejected. PPG continues to believe there is a strong strategic rationale for the proposed transaction between PPG and AkzoNobel. Michael McGarry, chairman and CEO of PPG, said, “PPG has long admired AkzoNobel’s businesses, global presence, culture and principles as well as its advances in innovative product development and sustainable business practices. We believe a combination of our two companies is a very compelling strategic opportunity. We are confident that this combination is in the best interests of the stakeholders of both companies as it presents a unique opportunity to build on the successful legacies of our businesses. PPG has carefully considered the interest of all AkzoNobel stakeholders including shareholders, employees, customers and the communities it serves and has proposed its willingness to enter
into serious commitments in respect of all stakeholders.” Strategically, the combination of PPG and AkzoNobel would deliver an enhanced global player in paints, coatings and specialty materials, combining complementary products, technologies and geographies, and would create a stronger competitor in a highly competitive global marketplace, offering a broader line of products and technologies cost-effectively to a more diverse customer base. Financially, the combination would create a stronger enterprise with a solid investment grade rating. PPG envisions that the heritage of AkzoNobel’s culture and best practices will be reflected in the composition of the combined company, and in the locations where it would operate. The legacies of both companies would continue, including the use of flagship brands and technologies, investment in research, development and innovation, and the companies’ longstanding commitment to being good employers and corporate citizens that operate in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.
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