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Gauging What Lies Ahead for the Collision Industry in 2017 Based on the Events of 2016 by John Yoswick
As another new year begins, the collision industry can expect more big changes in terms of vehicle technology, repair requirements, judicial and regulatory actions, state and federal legislation, and insurer involvement in the claims process. Here’s a look at some of what’s in store for the coming 12 months. Changes in insurance industry regulation. Look for insurers to see a Trump presidency and Republicancontrolled Congress as an opportunity to scale back federal regulation of the insurance industry.
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), for example, has already urged that the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), established following the Great Reces-
Happy a NEW Year
they repeal the FIO,” Jon Gentile, PIA’s vice president of government relations, said. “Doing so would reaffirm that regulation of insurance should continue to be the responsibility of the states.” But Matthew Josefowicz, president of a Boston-based insurance technology consulting firm, cautioned that such reductions in federal oversight of insurers could embolden some state attorneys general and insurance commissioners, resulting in insurers “dealing with aggressive state regulators.” That could be good news for colSee Ahead to 2017, Page 20
Texas and Louisiana Now States with Worst Drivers the following categories:
● Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled
● Failure to Obey (Percentage of Fatal Crashes that involved Traffic Signals, Not Wearing Seat Belts, and Driving with an Invalid Driver’s License)
● Drunk Driving (Percentage of Fatal Crashes that Involved Alcohol)
● Speeding (Percentage of Driving Fatalities that were Speed-Related) ● Careless Driving (Pedestrian & BiSee Worst Drivers, Page 9
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Are Texas and Louisiana drivers among the worst in the country? According to a study by CarInsuranceComparison.com, a site that allows people to compare rates on insurance companies, looked at data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). It analyzed crashes in five categories: fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, failure to obey traffic signals or wear seat belts, drunken driving, speeding and careless driving. The study was cited in USAToday. The rankings for this study are based on statistics made available to the public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each state is ranked according to
sion, be scrapped. “With Congress poised to significantly roll back key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we ask that
VOL. 35 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2017
AZ Auto Glass Company Agrees to 6-Year Ban on Telemarketing Calls, Violation Could Cost $50K AZ Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced an auto glass company is banned from making telemarketing calls for 6 years as part of a settlement in an Arizona Consumer Fraud Lawsuit. Under the settlement, Larmore Auto Glass, LLC admitted to placing illegal telemarketing calls to Arizonans listed on the National Do Not Call Registry. Larmore Auto Glass agreed to pay the State $50,000 in civil penalties. “This case is about protecting Arizonans from harassing and illegal telemarketing calls,”said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “Arizonans on the Do Not Call list are off-limits to telemarketers and anyone caught violating telemarketing laws will be held accountable.” In June 2016, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office filed a Consumer Fraud Lawsuit against Larmore Auto Glass. The lawsuit alleges Arizona consumers received unwanted and unlawful sales calls that marketed wind-
shield replacement services from 2013 through 2015. Larmore Auto Glass, LLC, also operates under the name “Freedom Auto Glass.” According to the settlement, if Larmore Auto Glass violates the agreement, they will become liable for another $50,000 in addition to the penalties provided in the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. Assistant Attorney General Mit-chell Allee handled this case. If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by contacting the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6504, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff members are available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney General’s website at https://www.azag.gov/complaints/ consumer.
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