S O U THEASTEDITION
AUTOBODY AL / FL / GA / MS / NC / SC / TN / VA / WV
NCACAR, SCACAR To Debut Carolina’s Educational Collision Conference by Chasidy Rae Sisk
The North Carolina Association of Collision and Autobody Repair (NCACAR) and the South Carolina Association of Collision and Autobody Repair (SCACAR) are collaborating on the first-ever Carolina’s Educational Collision Conference on May 18 and 19 at the Cabarrus Arena in Concord, NC. According to Josh Kent, director of membership for NCACAR and SCACAR, “We have some of the industry’s biggest names speaking at our event with the headline speaker
being Mike Anderson of Collision Advice.” Saturday morning’s educational seminars will kick off from 9–11 a.m. • John Shoemaker, business development manager for BASF, will present “Damage Assessment Documentation.” • Jake Rodenroth, director of industry relations for asTech, will discuss “New and Emerging Vehicle Technology: ADAS and Beyond.” Following lunch, two additional seminars will be held from noon–2 p.m. See NCACAR, SCACAR, Page 15
Class Action Against Allstate Can Continue; Company, Not State, Sets Rates, Appeals Court Says by Dan Churney, Cook County Record
In a split decision, an Illinois appeals panel stripped Allstate Insurance of its defenses against a class action that alleged the company unfairly billed long-term auto policyholders more than it charged new ones. The panel said Illinois insurers can’t protect their rates from lawsuits because their rates are not controlled by the Illinois Department of Insurance. The Jan. 29 ruling was delivered by Justice Judy Cates with concurrence from Justice Melissa
Chapman of Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon. Justice James Moore dissented.
37 YEARS
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM Vol. 10 / Issue 2 / April 2019
WV Reintroduces Bill Requiring New OEM Parts for 1st 3 Years of Vehicle’s Life by Chasidy Rae Sisk
In February, West Virginia State Senator Randy Smith (R) reintroduced his 2018 bill that would require insurers to only use new OEM parts on vehicles from the current model year and the two previous years. Nearly identical to last year’s Senate Bill 308, Senate Bill 49 would prohibit the use of recycled or aftermarket parts on vehicles during the first three years of the vehicle’s life. An amendment to WV Code 46A-6B-3, Senate Bill 49 states, “For all motor vehicles requiring repair by motor vehicle body shops in the year of their manufacture or in the two succeeding years thereafter, and those needed repairs will be paid in whole or in part, by an insurance company, motor vehicle body shops
must use genuine new original equipment parts sufficient to maintain the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty for fit, finish, structural integrity, corrosion resistance, dent resistance, and crash performance. An insurance company may not require the use of aftermarket crash parts when negotiating repairs of the motor vehicle with any repairer for a period of the current model year plus two years.” West Virginia’s current code allows the use of aftermarket parts on vehicles 3 years old or newer only if the consumer provides written consent. Senate Bill 49 would prohibit such use of aftermarket parts, regardless of whether the customer provides consent in writing. Senate Bill 49 would remove See New OEM Parts, Page 8
Auto Body Parts Association To Host 39th Convention in Ft. Lauderdale, FL by Chasidy Rae Sisk
The ruling favored Illinois residents Jeffrey A. Corbin, Margaret A. Corbin and Anna Tryfonas in their class action complaint against Allstate. They brought the suit in 2016 to downstate Madison County Circuit Court, which is known as a See Class Action, Page 20
From April 30 through May 3, the Auto Body Parts Association (ABPA) will hold its 39th Convention at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL. According to ABPA Executive Director Ed Salamy, “We had a tremendously successful event last year in San Diego, and this year’s convention in Fort Lauderdale looks to be even better. We have an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, breakout events and social events that should hopefully help us break another attendance record.” The event will begin Tuesday evening with a welcome reception. Wednesday morning will feature a golf tournament at Jacaranda Golf Club, and the exhibitors’ tabletop set-up will take place in the after-
noon. Attendees can also opt to participate in the Marina and Mansions Boat Tour Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday evening will begin with an NABC vehicle giveaway at 5 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception and then the trade show during the reception dinner.
Thursday morning’s business session will commence with ABPA Chair Chris Northup reading the anti-trust statement and providing opening comments, preceding a “State of the Association” address delivered by Salamy. Two keynote See 39th Convention, Page 10
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