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36
YEARS
VOL. 36 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2018
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Industry Associations Pledge 2018 Resolutions
Year in Review: The Collision Repair Industry in 2017
Most folks view New Year’s Eve as a time to reflect on the recent year and make resolutions for the next as they strive to improve themselves or their lives. Collision repair industry associations have also begun preparing for 2018 by beginning to focus on their goals for next year and how they can help their members, advance their organizations and improve the industry for everyone. Several association leaders shared their 2018 New Year’s Resolutions with Autobody News. In 2017, a lot of associations focused on membership growth, bringing
Starting with the inauguration of the 45th President, moving on to the solar eclipse and three devastating hurricanes, 2017 has been a year to remember with many major changes impacting the United States. The collision repair industry has continued to change as well, with evolving technology and raging legal battles, including the now-famous John Eagle lawsuit in Texas. Associations around the country offered a variety of educational opportunities through meetings and conferences, and as the New Year crept up on us, Autobody News spoke with several association leaders about the best and most memorable things they did in 2017.
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
educational value to members and pursuing legislative initiatives to improve the industry. Industry professionals can expect to see these endeavors continue into 2018, though industry leaders anticipate taking their efforts to new heights. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) spent a great deal of this past year on legislative endeavors, and plans to continue these initiatives into the New Year. ASA Executive Director Dan Risley shared, “ASA resolves to be represented, engaged and vocal in as many meetings, conferences, hearings, summits and alike in Washington D.C. and See Industry Associations, Page 14
Mike Orso Speaks on Lawsuits Against Nationwide and Progressive After Court Sends Them to Trial
See Lawsuit, Page 8
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
In November, New York’s Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of a lower court, ruling that Nick’s Garage in Syracuse, NY, had presented sufficient evidence to defeat summary judgment as it related to its allegations against Nationwide and Progressive in two separate cases. The court’s reversal was based on it finding that the insurers may have committed deceptive practices and breached contracts with customers through their failure to pay sufficient amounts on repair claims. Although the court has not yet made
a final finding, it determined the shop had provided enough evidence to proceed to trial. Originally, both cases (Nick’s Garage, Inc. v. Progressive and Nick’s Garage, Inc. v. Nationwide) were dismissed due to lack of evidence, but in addition to basing the decision on the legal standard for summary judgement motion, the court determined that the insurers failed to prove that Nick’s Garage could not support its claims and also examined some of the shop’s evidence, presenting several findings that could significantly impact the future of the collision repair
Change Service Requested
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
From getting associations off the ground to establishing a broader member base, several associations focused on growth this year. Stephen Regan, Executive Director of ASA-MA/RI, shared, “The most memorable thing ASA-MA/RI has done in 2017 is open its doors. We have brought back to the region an entity dedicated solely to the advancement of collision and mechanical repair shops and those who serve them. Unlike many state trade associations in the industry, ASA-MA/RI has a fully staffed, dedicated office location. Our sole purpose is the professional operation of the association on behalf of its members and supporters.” See Year in Review, Page 15
Happy New Year! from all of us at Autobody News
South Valley, CA, Locals Charged With Auto Insurance Fraud, Farmers Ins. Noticed Same Vehicles in Claims by Brad Kava, Gilroy Dispatch
Five South Valley men, including two from Gilroy, CA, and two from San Martin, CA, were charged with run-
ning a $235,948 insurance scam in which they faked 18 car accidents and billed insurance companies for work that was never done.
Brothers Angel Topete, 36, and Joshua Topete, 34, both of San Martin, Eric Harrison, 33, and Gregory Carl Harrison, 53, both of Gilroy, as well as Hugo Lua, 39, of Hollister, CA, were also arrested in connection with the auto insurance scam, which involved 22 people, 18 of whom have been arrested. They will appear in Morgan Hill’s Superior Court. Most were friends or family members of one another, and at least one is being charged in a previous fraud ring. Investigators were tipped off to the ring by an insurance investigator with Farmers Insurance, who noticed some of the same vehicles were involved in accidents repeatedly. See Auto Insurance Fraud, Page 24
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