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Vol. 38 / Issue 2 / February 2020
Arizona Geico Fraud Lawsuit Reaches Settlement Agreement
Catching Up With ASA Colorado’s December Events
by Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
The ongoing legal battle between Geico and six parties has ended in an Arizona courtroom. According to the joint settlement motion, both parties came together outside of the courtroom and have reached an agreement. “… based on the communications and discussions between and among counsel for the parties, the parties have agreed to a settlement on all material terms in this case. The parties are currently finalizing the terms of the settlement, and an-
ticipate having final settlement documents within 30 days,” a portion of the joint settlement motion reads. The lawsuit alleged the defendants: 808 Auto Glass, Jesse Pacheco, the sole member and operator of 808 Auto Glass, A&E Auto Glass, an Arizona limited liability company, Eric and Anna Solheim, who were the sole members and operators of A&E Auto Glass, Lightning Capital, a limited liability company that claimed to be a third party business, and Nicholas Minard, a managing member of LightSee Geico Fraud Lawsuit, Page 18
Prevalence of Vehicle Scanning – and Insurers’ Willingness to Pay for it – Have Risen The industry’s adoption of vehicle scanning as an indispensable part of the repair process can be seen in the results of the “Who Pays for What” surveys conducted for several years by Collision Advice and CRASH Network. In the survey conducted this past fall, 11% of shops said they might skip a post-repair scan because no dash lights are lit – not a legitimate reason – but in the same survey in 2016, nearly half of all shops (44%) said that was a reason they might skip the scan. Likewise, three years ago, about 1 in 5 shops said they did-
n’t perform scans because they don’t have the tools necessary to perform the scans. In the latest survey, 2% used that as an excuse. Payment practices have evolved as well. Back in 2016, a “Who Pays” survey found more than 30% of all shops said that one of the reasons they didn’t perform a post-repair vehicle scan was that insurers didn’t pay them for the procedure. Three years later, just 12% of shops say a lack of insurer payment is one of the reasons they might not perform a vehicle scan. More than 97% of shops See Vehicle Scanning, Page 28
have been well-received by attendees. The purpose of these events is December was a busy month for to offer training for our members and ASA Colorado with the association members of the community. This is hosting several training opportuni- an important function for the associties as well as its annual dinner. Ac- ation and provides purpose.” The group’s first training session of the month, “Managing Employees When Turnover is Not an Option,” was held at Advance Auto Parts in Denver on Dec. 9 and 10 and taught by Greg Marchand. Massaro recalled, “It is hard to find good employees. Sometimes, it is hard to just ASA Colorado hosted its 2019 annual members’ dinner find employees at all, let alone on Dec. 16 at the NAPA Distribution Center in Denver. good ones. What do you do Credit: ASA Colorado when you feel stuck with cercording to ASA Colorado Executive tain employees? This seminar adDirector Julie Massaro, “All of the dressed managing these challenges in training events have gone well and See December Events, Page 10
What We Know About US Jobs and Other Details of Fiat Chrysler, PSA Merger by Breana Noble, The Detroit News
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and French automaker Groupe PSA said their boards unanimously supported a binding agreement to merge and create the world’s fourth-largest automaker. The deal is one step further than Fiat Chrysler got earlier this year with Renault SA, another French carmaker. The combination of PSA and FCA is expected to provide cost savings, create a hedge against cyclical downturns and have the scale to invest and compete in an electric and self-driving future. Although the companies are calling the deal a 50-50 merger, PSA would hold a board majority and appoint six of the 11 board members. That includes PSA CEO Carlos Tavares, who is expected to lead the
combined company. Here is what else to know about the deal: What comes next? With the binding agreement signed, the automakers can pursue obtaining antitrust and regulatory approval from the companies in which it operates. They also must receive approval from their shareholders. The process is expected to take 12 to 15 months. “We don’t feel we have any concerns with antitrust” laws, Tavares said. “We’ve reviewed this topic and are very comfortable we have no problem on antitrust” regulations. What is the name of the new company? The name of the new company has not yet been announced. Information See US Jobs, Page 28
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