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The Houston Auto Body Association Hosts Body Shop Owners and Managers at Appreciation Event to Meet New Members The Houston Auto Body Association hosted their first annual Body Shop Owners and Managers Appreciation
Over 150 people attended the Appreciation Event, covering the Cadillac Bar’s dance floor
event at the Cadillac Bar in Houston on May 19 at 7 pm. The event drew about 150 in at-
tendance according to HABA’s President James Brown. HABA decided to host this event in lieu of their monthly members’ meeting this month in order to show prospective members and local industry people more about the organization and their members’ interests (see adjacent story.) The event was such a success that the HABA has decided to conduct the event annually. “The HABA wanted to host this event to show our appreciation to the body shop owners and managers in Houston and the surrounding areas,” said Brown. “We also wanted to provide the opportunity for everyone to see what the HABA was all about in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.”
Allstate Will Buy Esurance and Answer Financial In a bid to capture more business from customers who shop online, Allstate Corp. has agreed to buy two popular online insurance sellers—Esurance and the associated site, Answer Financial. Allstate will pay a total price of about $1 billion– $700 million plus the tangible book value of the two firms acquired at close. Esurance is the third-largest provider of online auto insurance quotes through its website and a 24/7 call center. It sells in 30 states. Over the past five years, Esurance has more
than doubled policies in force and grown premiums on average 20 percent per year, according to the company, which advertises heavily. It also sells other personal lines coverages. Answer Financial provides auto insurance quote comparisons from 20 brand-name auto insurance companies to buyers in all 50 states. The carriers it represents include Esurance, Travelers, Progressive, Safeco, Met Life Auto & Home, Unitrin and The Hartford. In July, it reported having See Allstate Buys Esurance, Page 28
The association also had six new shops sign up for membership after attending the event.
Active HABA member Larry Cernosek enjoys the reception
For more information about the Houton Auto Body Association please visit www.habaonline.org.
SPECIAL INSERT
VOL. 29 ISSUE 6 JUNE 2011
TX Legislative Update from the Houston Auto Body Association
The Houston Auto Body Association (HABA) has been in support of several Senate and House Bills in the state this year. Among them are Senate Bills 944 and 1300, which each had a hearing on April 17 in the state's House of Representatives. SB 944 was introduced by Texas Senator Mike Jackson earlier this year and would create an advisory committee for the Texas Insurance Commissioner that would make recommendations regarding automobile insurance claims. SB 1300 will require more disclosure from insurers about their Direct repair Program policies and requirements. See HABA Legislation, Page 10
Shop and Product SHOWCASE
REGIONAL ARTICLES in this issue...
Body Shop Manager Elected Chairman for TX State Fair . . . . . .p. 4
ASA Testifies at Texas Franchise Tax Law Hearing . . . . . . . . . . .p. 4
NWLCRA May Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 6
OK Attorney General, Commissioner Focus on Fraud . . . . . . . . .p. 9
COLUMNS in this issue...
Schroeder — The Body Shop Garage Opens in Woodward, OK .p. 14
Amaradio — The Good Old Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 17
Insurance Insider — Allstate Deserves Credit for DRPs . . . . . . .p. 18
Espersen — The Value of Service Repair Information . . . . . . . . .p. 20
Weaver — Shift Happens: The Story of Three Transmissions . . .p. 21 Chess — Getting OSHA-Compliant Part 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 30
Evans — Repairing a Quarter Panel, Bumper, and Molding . . . .p. 36
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