THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS/NEW JERSEY (www.AASPNJ.org) AND THE AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY (www.ARANJ.org)
April 2021 $5.95
TAKE IT OR Leave IT: Legal Views on Insurer Abuse PLUS: • The Division of Insurance: A Closer Look • A New Key to Environmental Compliance • Are You Underpaid??? www.grecopublishing.com
2 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 3 ©2019 PPG Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. The PPG Logo and Envirobase are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 5
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P.O. Box 734 Neptune, NJ 07753 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Charles Bryant 732-922-8909 / setlit4u@msn.com
VOLUME 51 NUMBER 4 | April 2021
2019 - 2021 OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jerry McNee, Ultimate Collision Repair, Inc. 732-494-1900 / ultimatecollision@att.net
CONTENTS
COLLISION CHAIRMAN Dennis Cataldo, Jr., D&M Auto Body 732-251-4313 / jr@dnmautobody.com
10 OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES
MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN Keith Krehel, Krehel Automotive Repair, Inc. 973-546-2828 / krehelauto@aol.com
12 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
TREASURER Tom Elder, Compact Kars, Inc. 609-259-6373 / compactkars@aol.com SECRETARY Thomas Greco, Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 973-667-6922 / thomas@grecopublishing.com BOARD Brad Crawford, Livingston Collision, Inc. 973-992-5274 / livingston.collision@gmail.com Gary Gardella, Jr., County Line Auto Body 732-363-5904 / countylineautobody@gmail.com Dave Laganella, Peters Body and Fender 201-337-1200 / petersbandf@gmail.com Sam Mikhail, Prestige Auto Body 908-294-1985 /prestige@goldcar.us Ted Rainer, Ocean Bay Auto Body 732-899-7900 / ted@oceanbayautobody.com Anthony Trama, Bloomfield Auto Body 973-748-2608 / anthony@bloomfieldautobody.com BOARD ALLIED Joe Amato, The Amato Agency 732-530-6740 / joesr@amatoagency.com Mike Kaufmann, Advantage Dealer Services 973-332-7014 / mkaufmann@advantageds.com PAST PRESIDENT ATTENDING Jeff McDowell, Leslie’s Auto Body 732-738-1948 / chacki@aol.com
16 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 20 MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 46 NJA ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
LOCAL NEWS
22 AASP/NJ Virtual Meeting Addresses DOI Do’s and Don’ts
by Alana Bonillo
NATIONAL NEWS
26 EPA Launches 6H Navigation Tool
AASP/NJ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 28 Elizabeth Truck Center
by Alana Bonillo
COVER STORY
32 Take it or Leave it: Legal Views on Insurer Abuse
by Joel Gausten
LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
36 Motorist Coverage: Uninsured versus Underinsured
by Mitchell H. Portnoi, Esq.
PUBLISHER Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joel Gausten / joel@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL/CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Bonillo / alana@grecopublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco / joe@grecopublishing.com
THE LIST
40 Are You Underpaid???
AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 45 Wharton Insurance Briefs by Mario DeFilippis
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Charles Bryant • Mario DeFilippis • Dennis Cataldo • Mitch Portnoi • Ron Ananian • Keith Krehel • Jerry McNee • Jacquelyn Bauman
Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110 Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963
www.grecopublishing.com NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published monthly and is sent to AASP/NJ and ARANJ members free of charge. Subscriptions are $24 per year. NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc., 244 Chestnut St., Nutley, NJ 07110. The editorial contents of NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE are copyright © 2021 by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher and/or editor. Articles in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. Stock Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com.
Joe Amato, Sr. Ron Ananian Jim Bowers Charles Bryant Don Chard Guy Citro Pete Cook Ed Day Dave Demarest Phil Dolcemascolo Tom Elder Bob Everett
Thomas Greco Dan Hawtin Rich Johnson Wes Kearney Nick Kostakis Jim Kowalak Keith Krehel Joe Lubrano Michael Lovullo Jeff McDowell Sam Mikhail Ron Mucklow
George Petrask Russ Robson Jerry Russomano George Threlfall Cynthia Tursi Lee Vetland Paul Vigilant Rich Weber Brian Vesley Glenn Villacari Stan Wilson
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 7
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OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES
The Rates of Spring by THOMAS GRECO, PUBLISHER If you turn to page 40, you’ll see our feature, “The List.” Usually, we try and do something fun and humorous. And true, this month’s List is funny – the kind of funny that makes you say, “There’s something funny going on here.” Allow me to backtrack. A few weeks ago, PSE&G were outside my house digging up the street to update our meters. (I’m pretty sure this is going on in many parts of the state, since every street I drive on these days seems to feel like going through an obstacle course.) I assumed they were outside when their jackhammering woke me up. When I got out of bed, turned on the shower and nothing but cold water came out, I knew they were there. I went out and asked the PSE&G guy if what they were doing could have affected my hot water. “No way,” he replied. Okay. He’s the expert. I called my plumber. The best he could do was get to my house the next day, which was a Friday. I figured I could do one day with a cold shower. (I was wrong.) The next day before my plumber came by, PSE&G had to change the meter in my garage. Obviously, they had to turn off the gas. When they did, they mentioned to my wife that the hot water heater had a “small leak.” My plumber arrived and yup, the
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heater was shot. “Okay, how much?” “Around $2,500.” F#$k! “When can you do it?” “I can’t get back until Tuesday.” I told him I couldn’t wait that long and called another plumber. He could get there on Saturday to inspect and drain it, but he couldn’t replace it until Monday. Great. Three days of cold showers. I was going to be gender fluid by the time all was said and done. Unfortunately, late Friday night (or Saturday morning, if you like), I figured I’d check on that “small leak” and found it had turned into a flood. As I have said many times, I am the worst when it comes to fixing stuff. I had no idea how to drain the water out of the heater or stop the leak. I went on YouTube and watched a video instructing me on how to turn the knob with a screwdriver to drain the water out of the nozzle on the side of the unit. It was past midnight, and we did not have a bucket. So, for the next five hours, my son and I drained the water with a 12-inch-by-12-inch piece of Tupperware. After about 100 trips up and down the stairs and out the garage, the water stopped. After telling the plumber my story, he laughed and said there
was still water in the heater. “How much?” I asked. “About 40 gallons.” So much for five wasted hours and Tupperware. I made it through the ice showers the next two days, and the plumber replaced the heater on Monday. “Just curious, but how much do you get an hour?” I asked. “$95.” When I got home Monday night, I was looking forward to a nice hot shower. But when I walked into the house, it was freezing. I ran downstairs, and the pilot light on the furnace was out. Again, I can’t do this stuff, so I called a neighbor. He tried for an hour and couldn’t get it to light. I called PSE&G, and they said they couldn’t get there until Wednesday. F#$k! We froze our asses off that night. As luck will have it, PSE&G were able to come out Tuesday afternoon, and they fixed the pilot light. Something about a switch or something. Before he left, I asked the guy if he did any side work. He said he knew some people who did. I asked him how much they charge an hour. “$75.” Now, plumbing and heating repairers are a necessity. Everyone needs them, so I don’t begrudge their rates. But check out “The List” on page 40. According to our latest New Jersey Automotive survey, the majority of New Jersey collision repairers charge $50-$60 an hour. Now, take a look at “The List” again. Tear it out and put it on your counter. Show your customers. Show them how a freaking clown makes more per MGM SUPPLIES AD_NJA0720.qxp_Layout 1 6/23/20 2:00 PM expensive Page 1 hour than someone who fixes their second-most investment and whose expertise can literally save their lives. Nothing funny about that. Nothing at all. NJA
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 11
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Who Do Insurers Love the Most? by JERRY MCNEE Based on your experiences in the collision repair industry, who would you say the insurance industry loves the most? Is it the shop that just does whatever it’s told out of fear of losing work? Is it the manufacturer that produces less expensive “alternative” crash parts to compete with the OEMs? Well, those entities have definitely helped carriers grow in power and influence over the years, but they’re not the ones who give insurers their warmest and fuzziest feelings. At the end of the day, the insurance industry reserves its deepest affection for the uneducated consumer. Although we live and breathe this industry every day, the reality is that most consumers only care about the collision repair process when they need to take advantage of it. Because they purchase insurance for their automobiles, they are already somewhat familiar with their carriers and tend to look to them for guidance when an accident occurs. Unfortunately, this is when most consumers begin hearing only one side of the story. The insurers have turned this into a profit center instead of indemnifying the claim.
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Collision repair facilities are not just in business to make damaged vehicles look nice again; we’re in operation to ensure that our customers drive away in properly repaired vehicles that will keep them safe. Sometimes, that commitment has to extend beyond what the consumer’s insurer is willing to pay. When shops stand their ground, insurers attempt to make them look like the bad guy in the consumer’s eyes. Insurers distract, divide, discredit and destroy legitimate claims. This is why it is critical for body shops to take the time to inform every customer who walks through the door of what it will take to legitimately bring their vehicle back to pre-loss condition – and why insurers need to fulfill their obligation to negotiate in a fair and timely fashion. We need to educate our customers on the basics, including the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts, the benefits of OEM-certified repairs and what could happen if their insurer refuses to pay for needed parts and procedures. They also need to know what to do if they are under-indemnified and/or face resistance from their continued on pg. 42
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DCH Millburn Audi 2211 Millburn Ave Maplewood, NJ 07040 Toll Free: 800.553.9250 Direct: 973.762.0262 Fax: 973.762.2381 www.dchmillburnaudi.com
Paul Miller Audi 179 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ 07054 Toll Free: 800.35.MILLER Parts Direct: 973.575.7793 Fax: 973.575.5911 www.paulmiller.com
Bell Audi 782 Route 1 Edison, NJ 08817 732.396.9360 Fax: 732.396.9090 www.bellaudi.com
Audi Brooklyn 211 63rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11220 Phone: 718.492.6400 Fax: 718.492.8899 rmerchant@audibrooklyn.com www.audibrooklyn.com
Town Motors Audi 400 South Dean Street Englewood, NJ 07631 201.227.6506/6536 Fax: 201.541.0314 www.townmotors.com
Jack Daniels Audi of Upper Saddle River 243 Route 17 Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 201.252.1500 Fax: 201.254.1552 tbabcock@jackdanielsmotors.com www.jackdanielsmotors.com
Audi Bridgewater 701 Route 202-206 N Bridgewater, NJ 08807 929.600.9156 Fax: 908.595.0237 parts@audibridgewater.com www.audibridgewater.com
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 13
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 15
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Photo Estimating Technology Is Ahead of Its Time – Literally!
by CHARLES BRYANT
Insurance companies are touting photo estimating technology as the way of the future. Well, they may be right as long as they make sure they emphasize the future. Insurers are taking the position that the photo estimating process is the fastest one ever created to handle auto property damage claims. Well, based on documented cases here in New Jersey, the opposite is true. It is taking much longer to get through this estimating process than the traditional way of having either a staff appraiser or an independent one come out and physically inspect vehicles and prepare an estimate on the damage discovered through that inspection. On top of that, based on actual documented cases, the traditional method of physically inspecting damaged vehicles is much more accurate. Now, I am sure the insurance industry is not going to like this information being revealed, but the truth is the truth. The reality is the photo estimating process is causing much more harm than good. Please allow me to explain. Time and time again, we have seen cases where a collision shop will go along with an insurer and do that carrier’s job by taking photos of the vehicle damage, preparing an estimate and sending the photos and the estimate to the insurer as requested. However, when the insurer responds, the estimate it sends back to the shop only covers a fraction of the damage the shop discovered during the actual physical inspection. When the shop
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questions the insurer about why its estimate is so far off from the original, the response is always basically the same: “That’s all we can justify based on the photos you provided.” Naturally, the shop’s response is, “Well, then you need to do your job and get out here and physically inspect the vehicle.” The insurer then responds with something to the effect of, “We no longer have appraisers available to perform the inspections, so you will need to take more photos and send them and maybe take them in a better lit location.” Although this often infuriates the shop owner, they will follow the request and take more photos under better lighting and send them to the insurer. However, what happens next is even more frustrating. More often than not, the supplemental estimate the insurer sends back this time is only for a few hundred dollars – which is still thousands of dollars off from the shop’s estimate that was based on an actual physical vehicle inspection. This often goes on for several weeks until the insurer decides that the vehicle is considered a total loss based on the last supplement it wrote. However, when the shop submits the bill for the storage and administrative services provided during the weeks it took the insurer to finally come to this conclusion, the insurer’s response is, “We are not going to pay storage until the vehicle became a total loss based on the last supplement.” Well, the truth is, the vehicle became a total loss when the two vehicles
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collided; it just took the insurer five weeks to figure it out because of the photo estimating process. The reality is that the insurer owes for the storage fees during the time it played the photo estimate game and the vehicle was in the care, custody and control of the shop. This is because of the “Duty to Protect” provision in the vehicle owner’s policy that actually commits that carrier to paying for the protection of the automobile from further damage while waiting for repair. Had this insurer actually performed a physical inspection of the vehicle in the first place, it is extremely likely that it would have deemed it a total loss right from the start. The photo estimating process may work for minor dents or minimal damage, but it is in no way advanced enough to prepare accurate estimates on major collision damage. Rather than expedite the process on heavily damaged vehicles, we have seen case after case where the photo estimating process repeatedly causes major delays. The insurance industry needs to accept the hiccup and withdraw the failed photo estimating process on heavily damaged vehicles until the process is advanced enough to handle preparing accurate estimates – if that is ever possible. For now, we will be watching and keeping our members aware as we go forward. I can be reached on the AASP/NJ Hot Line at (732) 922-8909. Any comments are welcome.
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New Jersey Shop Owners: Do YOU KNOW what YOU are MISSING?
This past year, throughout the pandemic, AASP/NJ has hosted the following events: •
ADAS: The Future is NOW - John Anello (Auto Tech on Wheels) and Nick Dominato (adasThink)
•
Right to Repair/Legislative Discussion - Tommy Hickey (Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition) and Lucky Papageorg (AASP/MA Executive Director)
•
An Overview on the New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act - Jay Feinman (Rutgers Law Professor; author of Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It)
•
Truck Bedside Replacement: OE Procedure and Estimating Considerations (NJ Body Shop License Certification Class) - Larry Montanez (P&L Consultants)
•
Virtual Town Hall - Charles Bryant, AASP/NJ Executive Director
•
Get Back to Work Safely - Jack Spottiswood and Bob Plett (American Compliance)
•
COVID-19 Economic and Employment Legal Updates - Joshua Bauchner and Rahool Patel (Ansell, Grimm & Aaron, PC)
As a member of AASP/NJ, you get these FREE year-round educational sessions and training. Your participation is crucial to our long-term vision. Get involved. JOIN TODAY! Call AASP/NJ Executive Director Charlie Bryant, 732-922-8909 New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 17
18 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 19
MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
How New Jersey Has Helped My Business I have repeatedly heard that small businesses are an essential part of the economy. Let’s examine how my small business and others have been assisted by our state government. Mandatory Sick Leave This state now requires that employers give paid time off to employees – even part-time ones. This allows my employees to not show up for work but still be paid for almost any reason. One “part-time” employee told me she had to take her mother for a routine doctor visit. She scheduled this during work hours and took a full day off (five hours) so she would be paid. My employee was not sick, but I still had to pay her. As a former teacher, I never saw anything more widely misused than sick time; in my experience, calling out while actually sick was an exception. Obviously, paying people to not show up for work does not help my business. This also forces our Human Resource Department to account for hours worked, increasing their workload and recordkeeping. Ban the Box A while back, there was a push by the state to prevent employers from asking an applicant about their possible criminal past. Some in the Legislature felt it prevented people from getting a job due to their past behavior (record). Hmmm. At the request of the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business), I was asked to give testimony at a hearing in Trenton concerning this matter. There were many interested parties there – politicians, reporters, business owners and convicted criminals. Despite the business owners having to take the day off work to be present at the meeting, most were prevented from speaking. Preference was given to the “unemployed criminals.” Several people with records gave long, drawnout testimony on how their criminal past often prevented them from being hired. After a long while, only a few business owners were finally allowed to give testimony; most of the time available had been consumed by the criminals’ words. Why preference was given to them, I will never know. The business owners should have had at least equal billing, as we were the ones creating and supplying the jobs. One employer testified that he ran a cleaning service that catered to private homes, usually in teams of two, with each team member working a different section or floor of the house. These homes were often unoccupied or had a nanny in charge of young children. He did not feel comfortable sending people with a record into either situation and feared losing work if it became 20 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
by KEITH KREHEL
public knowledge. He went on to say that most of his staff were women; if they caught on they were working with convicted criminals, they would quit and seek other work, leaving only the new hires on staff. He made some very sound points. By my memory, I was the only other business owner given the opportunity to speak. Again, I don’t know why we weren’t given equal billing or at least had alternating opportunities to testify, which would have made sense to me. My testimony consisted of the following points: 1. My shop is sizable, with many work areas too large to monitor. 2. My commercial customers often have trucks loaded with tools and/or expensive equipment. 3. Some vehicles are ambulances that could contain narcotics along with laptop computers, etc. As the owner of my business and caretaker of my customers’ property, I should be able to use my own judgment on the people I hire. Legislation that limits access to employees’ possible criminal past does not help me, could endanger my present employees and put my customers’ property at risk. Raising the Minimum Wage When I started working at 16, my first job was at Gino’s, cooking Kentucky-style fried chicken. Although the job paid 10 cents below minimum wage, I was glad to have it because I didn’t possess any skills. As I remember, it took a friend’s recommendation to get it. After a short while, I received raises that put me above minimum wage. If given the opportunity during the summer, I would work 40 hours and bring home about $52. I was fine with that, as I had money for gas in my car and a few bucks in my wallet. Living large! I realized this was a “pass-through” job that wasn’t meant to be a career (except maybe for the managers). I also learned how to scrub pots and mop floors “properly” and that I never wanted to own a restaurant. Fast-forward to today, and I hear legislators clamoring for a significantly higher minimum wage. Again, chances are these same proponents of a substantially increased minimum wage were never business owners. By my memory, I have made one hire at minimum wage over the last 30 years. This is simply because you cannot find skilled personnel to work for low wages in the free market – they will go elsewhere. The one minimum wage hire was worth only minimum wage to me, as he had no skills and barely spoke English. Communication was continued on pg. 43
LOCAL NEWS
AASP/NJ Virtual Meeting Addresses DOI Do’s and Don’ts Education can be a powerful weapon. With that in mind, AASP/NJ members recently gathered for “Understanding the Role of the Division of Insurance,” an association-hosted virtual event that welcomed industry attorney Patrick J. McGuire, Esq. for a discussion on the do’s and don’ts of successfully submitting complaints and inquiries to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI). As explained during the presentation, there are three avenues one can take to help improve the industry: Legislation, litigation and education. McGuire stressed the latter as the key approach. “In my philosophy, education is the cheapest and most effective way in doing this. You know going in what the circumstances are, what your rights are and what [your rights] aren’t.” Additionally, he suggested that having a solid working knowledge of the laws governing the industry can make the complaint process more productive and save time from being spent on issues that do not have a high probability of success. McGuire used the example of aftermarket crash parts
and pointed out that New Jersey’s Administrative Code prohibits an insurance company from requiring the use of such parts unless they are warrantied by the manufacturer; at least like kind and quality to OEM parts in terms of fit, quality and performance; and the insurer pays for any modifications that may become necessary in making the repairs because of the use of such parts. Based on this, McGuire said that a complaint would have a better chance of success if it stated how a proposed aftermarket crash part failed to meet one or more of these standards. McGuire also addressed what appears to be an inconsistency in New Jersey law. He explained that New Jersey, like most states, generally recognizes that there is a fundamental legal difference between the rights and obligations of a first-party insured who makes a claim for coverage under the collision or comprehensive section of a policy (i.e., contract law) and the rights and obligations of a third-party claimant who makes a claim under the liability section of the at-fault driver’s policy (i.e., tort law). Therefore, the aftermarket crash parts provision found in the collision section of the at-fault party’s policy generally has no bearing on liability claims paid to an innocent third-party claimant.
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Nu Car Mazda 172 North Dupont Highway New Castle, DE 19720 Phone: 800-346-5283 Fax: 302-322-7135
22 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
Mazda of Lodi 130 Route 46 East Lodi, NJ 07644 Phone: 866-716-0511 Fax: 973-594-4933 www.mazdaoflodi.com
Wayne Mazda 1244 Route 23 North Wayne, NJ 07470 Phone: 973-646-0333 Fax: 973-694-1700 www.waynemazdafactoryparts.com
by ALANA BONILLO “It is the same logic as to why a first-party insured has to pay a deductible and a third-party claimant doesn’t,” he said. Nevertheless, and unlike other states, the New Jersey Administrative Code provisions applicable to aftermarket crash parts lump the two types of claims together. McGuire said he did not have the opportunity to research the origin of this inconsistency prior to the meeting to determine whether it was a conscious legislative or regulatory decision or just an oversight at the time the regulations were drafted, but shops should be aware of it either way. He summed it up by explaining that although third-party claimants in New Jersey are still protected by the New Jersey Administrative Code to the same extent as first-party insureds, that does not adequately address the quality and liability issues the use of such parts raise for consumers and shops in a third-party claim. Given that, McGuire said that the issue should probably be addressed at the legislative or regulatory level in addition to individual complaints to the DOI. In the meantime, it is McGuire’s opinion that it would be more effective for the repairer to educate the consumer about the issue, explain that the shop does not wish to be liable and leave the decision up to that customer. Another key to effectively filing a complaint lies in properly communicating your message. “No cookie-cutter form will get anywhere. It has to be specific with evidence attached so [the DOI] can see how it fits into legal standard […] You have to find the right catchphrases that have legal meaning and trigger an obligation to look into it.” continued on pg. 42
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A COMPETITIVE QUOTE ON YOUR NEXT COLLISION REPAIR ESTIMATE. CENTRAL AVENUE CHRYSLER JEEP 1839 Central Park Avenue Yonkers, NY 10710 Order Hot Line: (800) 967-5298 Fax: (914) 361-1508 www.centralave.com COLLISION LINK, REPAIR LINK AND PARTS TRADER
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Check out MoparRepairConnection.com for resources, promotions and technical information. ©2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC.
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 23 10/22/20 9:52 AM
NATIONAL NEWS
EPA Launches 6H Navigation Tool The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made it easier for collision repair facilities to determine if they qualify for an exemption from what is commonly referred to as the “6H Rule,” a national emission standard for air pollutants that establishes compliance guidelines for automotive paint products and procedures. Thanks to a new online Regulation Navigation Tool (bit.ly/EPA6Hexemption), auto body shops can quickly and easily find out if their in-house practices remove them from the “6H Rule” requirement by simply answering up to three questions. The first question asks if the facility sprays any coatings that contain cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese or nickel. If the end-user answers no, they are directed to a page advising them on how to file for a 6H Rule exemption. If they answer yes, they are asked if they can switch to alternative coatings that don’t contain any of the aforementioned hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). If they answer yes, they are sent to the exemption page; if they answer no, they are asked if their remaining coatings
26 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
contain less than one percent manganese and trivalent chromium and less than 0.1 percent cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead and nickel as sprayed (not as supplied). If they still answer no, they are advised that they can’t petition for an exemption and are provided with a link to find their area Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) for assistance. The Regulation Navigation Tool is part of the EPA’s Collision Repair Campaign to Reduce Air Toxins, a project created to assist body shops in reducing their exposure to toxic air pollutant emissions. More information is available at epa.gov/collision-repair-campaign. Detailed information on the “6H Rule” is available at bit.ly/6Hrule. Important note: Although the Regulation Navigation Tool may determine a shop’s exemption from the coating portion of the “6H Rule,” any use of methylene chloride stripper will subject that facility to other parts of the regulation.
NJA
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Town Audi 400 South Dean Street Englewood, NJ 07631 Parts Direct: 888.779.6792 Fax: 201.541.0314
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Town Porsche 105 Grand Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631 201-227-6505 town-motorcar.porschedealer.com
© 2019 Porsche Cars North America Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 27
AASP/NJ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
by ALANA BONILLO
Elizabeth Truck Center Elizabeth Truck Center really does do it all. Not only is the facility known as the largest commercial vehicle collision and repair center in the Tri-State area, but its award-winning truck builds have truly put the business on the map. “Our collision work is done with the same quality as our custom builds,” shares Elizabeth Truck Center President Steve Pesce, Jr. “We are known as one of the top truck customizers in the country. We won a major truck build-off at the Mid-America Trucking Show back in 2005 in Louisville, KY. We’ve produced over 100 custom trucks; probably about 20 of those are super customs. While our primary business is collision and paint service, we are also custom truck builders.” It all began with Steve Sr., who opened Car Craft Collision in Brooklyn in the 1970s. Although Steve Jr. and his brother, Anthony, did not automatically set out to work in the industry (having graduated from St. John’s University with business degrees), they eventually followed in the tradition of their father. In 1996, the Pesces opened Elizabeth Truck Center, where Steve Jr. took on the day-to-day operations. (Anthony, meanwhile, took the reins at Car Craft Truck Works.) The business grew substantially over the years; today, the New Jersey location houses the collision center, a parts department and a full-service tow truck dealership for Miller Industries. Elizabeth Truck Center performs collision repair work on all heavy and medium trucks, including tractor trailers, semi-trucks, pickup trucks and emergency equipment such as fire engines and ambulances. Vans are the lightest vehicles they do. Additionally, the facility works on smaller motor vehicles for select friends and family. Elizabeth Truck Center also houses the Custom Chrome Shop, which Steve Jr. calls a “trucker’s candy store.” The Chrome Shop is run by his sister, Kim Ruggiero. These days, Steve Jr. oversees collision and sales at the New Jersey location, where he utilizes his background in accounting. In 2015, the family opened a satellite shop, Elizabeth Truck Center of Long Island. A member of AASP/NJ for at least 15 years, he takes part in the AASP/NJ Workers’ Compensation Insurance Safety Group through the Amato Insurance Agency and is glad to have AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant to turn to for any and all issues. “Charlie is a good person to get advice from.
28 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
Father and sons in business. Left to right: Anthony, Steve Sr. and Steve Jr.
Whenever we have any motor vehicle issues or legal issues, he helps us get what we need. He’s helped us obtain needed paperwork to protect us with issues with insurance claims.” Steve Jr. and his crew also look forward to attending AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Service Show annually to learn about the newest tooling on the market. While Elizabeth Truck Center faced challenges as a result of COVID-19, the business overcame an even greater obstacle last year. In March 2020, shortly before the lockdown hit, a major fire took out Elizabeth Truck Center’s 20,000-square-foot mechanical garage. Fortunately, the business was able to recover. “We actually rebuilt ourselves back to full capacity, and it really shows our resilience. I can’t speak enough about the people in the trucking community who reached out to us and helped in every single way. It’s a work in a progress – and we just passed the one-year anniversary of the fire – but we got everything stabilized. We are keeping the ball rolling and are rebuilding better than ever.” Looking back on his career of choice, Steve Jr. truly has no regrets and loves the daily grind of working in this industry. “Basically, no two days are alike. There are a lot of different challenges that come your way each day. The collision industry is not like a grocery store; there’s no repetitive cycle. There’s always a challenge with insurance companies, jobs and employees. There is never one day that is the same as the last.” NJA
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 29
Co-celebrating decades of creating chemistry between two industry leaders
Here’s to 235 years of combined service excellence This year, as Albert Kemperle Inc. celebrates its 80th anniversary, BASF also celebrates its 155th anniversary. We are proud of our decades of partnership with BASF and years of serving the auto paint and body industry together. Kemperle’s founders would be proud of this relationship and the growth their company has experienced because of it. Today, as we look forward to many more decades of service to our customers, we find ourselves filled with gratitude. The creativity, hard work, and sense of responsibility of the people working for our two companies have made us what we are today. Thank you for your many years of loyalty.
626 E. Elizabeth Ave., Linden, NJ 07036 414-416 Madison Ave., Paterson, NJ 07524 631 Clifton Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753 100 Melrich Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512 4 Emery Ave., Randolph NJ 07869 30 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone:
(908) (973) (732) (609) (862)
925-6133 279-8300 797-3942 860-2800 244-4818
Fax: (908) 925-4344 Fax: (973) 279-9030 Fax: (732) 797-0774 Fax: (609) 860-2801 Fax: (862) 244-4822 www.kemperle.com
Diagnostically speaking, there is no substitute. Porsche technology. Porsche Genuine Service & Parts. Contact one of these authorized dealers. Town Porsche 105 Grand Avenue Englewood, NJ 201-227-6505 Fax 201-227-6553 town-motorcar.porschedealer.com
Flemington Porsche 213 Route 202/31 Flemington, NJ 800-216-5124 Fax 908-782-9397 flemingtonporsche.com
Porsche Princeton 3333 Route 1 Lawrenceville, NJ 609-945-1500 Fax 609-945-1501 princetonporsche.com
Paul Miller Porsche 3419 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ 973-227-3000 Fax 973-575-8396 paulmillerporsche.com
Porsche Monmouth 280 Route 36 East West Long Branch, NJ 732-935-7600 Fax 732-935-7602 porschemonmouth.com
Manhattan Motorcars 711 11th Avenue New York, NY 877-661-1586 Fax 646-473-0798 manhattanmotorcarsporsche.com
© 2021 Porsche Cars North America Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 31
COVER STORY
TAKE IT OR Leave IT: Legal Views on Insurer Abuse
“Take it or leave it.” If you’re an auto body facility owner or estimator dedicated to providing safe and proper repairs, the chances are incredibly high that you’ve heard that statement uttered by an insurance company representative more than once. Performing OEM-required/recommended procedures on vehicles for the safety of motorists is an absolute must, but the expertise and equipment necessary to reach this goal often come at a higher price than many insurers seemingly want to pay. This typically leads to a carrier drawing a line in the sand and refusing to negotiate, leaving the shop – and, more significantly, the consumer – stuck in a frustrating and potentially hazardous position. This scenario is nothing new to Jay M. Feinman, Rutgers Law professor and author of the book Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do about It. “What we’ve seen in the past 25 years is that insurance companies view the claims process as a profit center rather than simply the part of the business in which they honor their promises. Some companies are more inclined to delay payment of valid claims, deny valid claims in whole or part and force their policyholders to litigation and then aggressively defend those cases. What that means for consumers is that many people will get nothing or get less than they’re entitled to, because they’ll assume the insurance company is correct when it says they don’t have coverage or [says], ‘Here’s all that [your] coverage entitles [you] to.’” Naturally, this approach has led to precarious situations on shop floors throughout the Garden State. Although he regularly provides insurers with OEM repair procedures and other documentation to back up his need to perform manufacturer-specified operations, AASP/NJ Collision Chairman Dennis Cataldo, Jr. (D&M Auto Body; Old Bridge) reveals that this approach yields inconsistent results at best. “When you present evidence of why you are asking for certain stuff, some of the insurers have no problem. Others have an insane problem; it’s like they’re on a tear and all they want to do is tell you, ‘No!’ It gets tiring after a while.” To make matters worse, Cataldo adds that some carriers have a habit of approving payment for procedures on one job and then refusing to do so on the next. “We’ll get a particular adjuster who figures out how we write estimates and goes along with everything, but then there will be someone else here next month. Insurers always move people around, so we’re always going back to square one. Instead of getting new stuff added that we need to get paid for, we have to waste time getting the old stuff back […] It’s coming to a point where we’re going to have to settle things in court to get paid to repair cars properly.” 32 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
That’s exactly the direction that some shops in this state are taking via an ongoing lawsuit against New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance (NJM). Originally filed in June 2019 and recently amended to bring the total number of Plaintiffs to four New Jersey-based collision facilities and 18 claimants, the suit alleges that NJM committed a number of offenses, including violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) and the New Jersey Antitrust Act (NJAA). The suit also includes individual claims for injurious falsehood and tortious interference with prospective business advantage. The Plaintiffs seek actual/punitive/treble damages, interest, costs of the suit, attorneys’ fees and “such other and further relief the Court deems just and proper.” Additionally, the suit seeks injunctive relief to prevent future injury. When asked to identify what he views as the most egregious act committed by NJM, the Plaintiffs’ attorney, Joshua Bauchner of Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC, points to one of the industry’s most infamous words: Steering. “The manner in which the Defendant is doing that is not just by telling a consumer to go to another shop – particularly a DRP shop that has been forced to accept below-market Labor Rates and material and parts costs. It’s also doing this by telling customers, ‘Don’t go to this body shop; they make insufficient repairs, and we have a lot of problems with them,’ or, ‘That shop’s prices are too high, and you’re going to have to pay the difference between their high prices and what we’re prepared to pay.’ Those kinds of falsehoods interfere with the body shop’s relationship with its customer in an attempt to force that customer – in violation of the New Jersey ‘Shop Choice Rule’ – to go to one of the Defendant’s preferred shops so it can save a few dollars on the cost of repair without regard for the customer’s right to choose a shop and the relationship it might have with that facility. Frankly, the Defendant is tortiously interfering with that relationship.” Additionally, Bauchner believes that the suit shines a light on the insurance industry’s long-standing refusal to truly negotiate with shops over the cost of repairs. “A negotiation in good faith does not mean that you get to dictate the rate. When an insurer simply tells a repair facility that they are not going to pay its charges, it completely undermines the requirements of the law to first negotiate in good faith. The consequences of this are significant. It interferes with a shop’s relationship with its customers and violates the law, but the biggest effect is that unsafe vehicles are returning to the roads by requiring the use of aftermarket parts even though the insurance contract requires OEM. It’s requiring substandard and incomplete repairs. It’s a disservice to the insured but also a hazard to the vehicles on the roads in this state and beyond – all to
by JOEL GAUSTEN save a few bucks.” With major lawsuits often emotional and logistical headaches regardless of outcome, AASP/NJ has stepped up to provide assistance to members who elect to utilize the legal system for help. The association’s Legal Fund was created exclusively for members in good standing and is offered at the discretion of the association’s Board of Directors for legal proceedings that stand to result in a favorable decision or will in some way positively affect or advance the industry. Financial assistance goes toward expenses, including (but not limited to) legal fees, reports, transcripts and costs resulting from the legal process. AASP/NJ is encouraging one-time or monthly contributions from members to support the endeavor. “Smaller shops really don’t have the means to go to court,” Cataldo says. “By supporting this Fund, we can put money toward larger cases that will help in greater ways in the long run.” What about recourses away from the courts? Consumers who find themselves under-indemnified by their insurer always have the option of filing a complaint through the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI). However, complainants need to enter the process with realistic expectations. “[NJDOBI] doesn’t have the authority to coerce the insurance company into resolving the claim, but they will make sure that [the] claim gets a little more attention by the insurance company,” Feinman explains. “Over time, if [the
Department] gets enough complaints about a particular kind of claim or a particular insurer, [it] may investigate more broadly.” So, what would be “enough complaints”? Well, certainly not what New Jersey collision repair consumers are sending in these days. “I try to get every single person who comes through the door to file a complaint, because there’s usually something on every job that has an issue,” Cataldo says. “I’d say five percent of the people actually file complaints.” With the (in Bauchner’s words) “David-and-Goliath” battles between shops (typically small businesses with even smaller margins) and insurers (massive corporations with considerable budgets and legislative/regulatory pull) outlined in this story very likely to continue in and out of court, perhaps the greatest key to resolving these matters is to get consumers more involved than ever before. If every shop reading this magazine encouraged just 10 consumers a month to file a NJDOBI complaint, there’s no telling how far things could go. But first, shops need to keep consumers who walk through the door fully aware of what it takes to properly repair a vehicle and what their insurers should be doing to ensure that happens. “Information is the oxygen of the insurance process,” Feinman says. “The more detailed information that the body shop provides, the more likely it is they’re going to get a better result.” NJA
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 33
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New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 35
LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
by MITCHELL H. PORTNOI, ESQ.
Motorist Coverage: Uninsured versus Underinsured We have all heard of Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, but do we know what they are and when they apply? Are your customers aware of their rights under their insurance policies? Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage covers insureds and their household family members when they are injured due to the negligence of another driver who is “uninsured” or injured due to a “phantom” or “unidentified” driver who causes an accident and leaves the scene or is otherwise unidentified. Uninsured Motorist coverage is usually (though it need not be) in the same amount as the liability coverage within an insured’s policy. It is important that a policyholder make sure that such coverage is equal to their liability coverage. If the coverage is not equal to that of the liability coverage, then one is covering someone else more than
they are covering themselves. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) is for when another driver injures the insured or a household family member and they do not have enough coverage to pay for the damages. Underinsured Motorist coverage generally comes in the same amount as the UM coverage. Never will an insurance company provide higher amounts of UM or UIM than they provide liability coverage. That is why, in general, it is good to have higher liability limits – it protects you from someone suing you and protects you and your family in the event that one is injured by the negligence of another who is not adequately insured. You can be assured that if a driver who is not adequately insured certainly doesn’t have the assets to cover a substantial claim. If you have any questions about UM versus UIM coverage, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Mitchell H. Portnoi at (908) 228-8800, ext.1007. NJA
36 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
Genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts Are a Call or a Click Away. The best repairs start with the best shop-supplier relationship. Contact the following Authorized Volkswagen dealers by phone, fax or email to get the parts you need, when you need them. Flemington Volkswagen 213 Route 202/31 Flemington, NJ 08822 TOLL FREE: 877-657-2787 FAX: 908-782-1795 rmuir@flemington.com www.NJPARTS.com
Paul Miller VW of Bernardsville 118 Morristown ROAd Bernardsville, NJ 07924 Toll Free: 877-318-6557 Local: 908-766-1600 Fax: 908-766-6171
Douglas Motors 491 MORRIS AVE. SUMMIT, NJ 07901 PHONE: 908-277-1100 FAX: 908-273-6196 TOLL FREE: 800-672-1172 www.douglasvw.com email: douglasparts@douglasautonet.com
Trend Motors 221 Route 46 West Rockaway, NJ 07866 888-267-2821 fax: 973-625-4985 www.trendmotors.com email:dreinacher@trendmotors.com
Crestmont Volkswagen 730 ROUTE 23 NORTH POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444 TOLL FREE: 800-839-6444 fax: 973-839-8146 www.crestmontvw.com email:vwparts@crestmont23.com
“Volkswagen“ and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. ©2021 Volkswagen of America, Inc.
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 37
38 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 39
THE LIST
ARE YOU
UNDERPAID???
Considering an automobile is the second - largest investment a person makes, it’s scary to think about what collision repairers get paid compared to others. Underpaid? You tell us what you think!
Furniture Mover
Face Painter
$135/hr
$125/hr
Exterminator
Party Clown
$120/hr
$100/hr
Batting Coach
$100/hr
Chimney Sweep
$129/hr
Bicycle Repair
$115/hr
Vacuum Repair
$90/hr
Landscaper
$90/hr 40 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
Dog Waste Cleaner
$75/hr
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 41
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from pg. 12
insurer over their choice of repair facility. They also need to be looped in on communications between the shop and the insurer – especially if disagreements take place over needed procedures. Who would you rather have as the customer’s greatest source of information – you or the insurer? If you lay out all the facts, it’s not that hard for the customer to make
their own decision on who’s blowing smoke. Of course, every shop in this state should do more to encourage consumers who’ve been wronged to file complaints with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI). It’s amazing to me that the Department only receives a handful of consumer complaints each year. It’s not a stretch to say that the Department should be receiving
hundreds of these each day! Until consumers make their voices heard, many of the insurance industry practices that negatively impact the repair process and put motorists in harm’s way will continue. It’s our job to help our customers stay informed and better understand that they – not their insurers, and not our shops – are the real bosses in the repair process. NJA
LOCAL NEWS
continued from pg. 23
For example, if a shop is being challenged by an insurer for charging to perform pre- and post-repair scans and calibrations as per OEM requirements/ recommendations, the facility should report that scanning to find diagnostic codes is necessary in order to “return the vehicle to the condition immediately prior to loss.” Above all, McGuire stressed that there is no “silver bullet” and the world won’t change overnight. For 30-plus years, things have headed in the wrong direction because of a lack of basic knowledge. Repairers need to take the stand that if they are to be liable for the quality of repairs, then they will not under-repair a vehicle for the benefit of an insurance company. AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant reminded members to report issues they experience with insurance companies to him directly via the AASP/NJ Hot Line so these matters can be documented and brought before legislators in the hopes of effecting positive change. AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee reminded all that it really takes strength in numbers to improve industry conditions. “We have a lot more rights than we actually know. I think everyone feels the same way; it only seems to get worse as the insurance companies continue to push the envelope further and further away with no remorse for the shop or the customer. If you are not working on your business and just solely in your business, things won’t get better.” For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org. NJA
42 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
continued from pg. 20
difficult and tedious, as we could not tell him what to do – we had to show it to him. Over time, he proved himself, became more proficient with English, became a valuable employee and received several raises. I gave him his “first job” at a fair wage. If I had to pay him more due to a higher minimum wage law, I would not have hired him – and there is no one who could make me do so. Forcing employers to pay more than market rate is poorly thought out and will have many consequences. One consequence would be that owners like me will be hesitant to hire new employees, as they will become prohibitively expensive. I may also have to give raises to my veteran staff to keep them happy, as the new hire may be paid closer to their wages. This would again raise my cost of labor. Keep in mind that when the cost of labor increases, so does the cost of services rendered. As a result, I would have to charge more – something a lot of NONEMPLOYERS do not understand. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a more misunderstood issue than minimum wage. The only people who seem to get it are the business owners. In closing, I had an uncle who worked in New Jersey at a huge commercial bakery that supplied muffins to the entire Tri-State area and then some. Its location in North Jersey was perfect, but the company chose to close that plant and move operations to North Carolina to get out of New Jersey and its high cost of labor, taxes, etc. It’s cheaper to produce those goods out of state and truck them in daily. The state lost a lot of jobs with this move. New Jersey typically ranks 48/49 out of 50 (close to last) in business climate ranking, making it one of the least friendly states in which to operate a business. Pitiful. NJA
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 43
44 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
ARANJ
ARANJ Board of Directors
The Automotive Recyclers Association of New Jersey
David Yeager - EL & M Auto (800) 624-2266 / elandmauto@aol.com
Wharton Insurance Briefs
Ed Silipena - American II Autos (609) 965-0987 / esilipena@yahoo.com
Replacement cost is provided on most property insurance policies. However, insurance companies are rarely contractually obligated to pay more than the actual cash value (ACV) as of the time of the loss unless and until the damaged or destroyed structure is actually repaired or replaced. For those policies that provide ACV, some courts have developed three primary rules to measure it: Market Value Rule: The difference between the market value of the property before and after a loss. Broad Evidence Rule: Where consideration is given to its replacement cost, market value, income derived from its use, age and depreciation and the opinion given by a qualified valuation expert. The most common rule is applying a “Replacement Cost Less Depreciation.” Under this rule, depreciation is deducted from the estimated cost to repair or replace the damaged property to determine its ACV. Although we always recommend you insure your property using “Replacement Cost,” there are times where an insurance company will only insure a property using ACV. Make sure your agent is covering you properly. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Norm Vachon - Port Murray Auto (908) 689-3152 / portmurrayauto@yahoo.com Dillon Rinkens - East Brunswick Auto (732) 254-6501 / ebautonj@comcast.net
ARANJ Officers
President - Rodney Krawczyk Ace Auto Wreckers (732) 254-9816 / aceautonj@comcast.net 1st Vice President - Daryl Carman Lentini Auto Salvage (908) 782-4440 / darryl@las-parts.coms 2nd Vice President - Mike Ronayne Tilghmans Auto Parts (609) 723-7469 / tilghmans@snip.net
Mario DeFilippis, AAI Vice President (732) 686-7020 (office) (908) 513-8588 (cell) mdefilippis@whartoninsurance.com
Past President - Bob Dirkes Dirkes Used Auto Parts (609) 625-1718 / dirkesauto@gmail.com
LYNNES
AUTO GROUP
WHOLESALE DEPARTMENT
Genuine Service & Parts
MAINTAIN AN INFINITE INVENTORY OF ORIGINAL MINI PARTS. SERVICE, SELECTION AND VALUE SINCE 1953
At your local MINI dealer, we believe that using Original MINI collision replacement parts will speed your repairs and increase your profitability. Original MINI parts assure an absolute perfect fit and function.
Delivering to the New Jersey/New York area. Genuine Nissan parts are built to the same standards as Nissan vehicles. It’s no wonder they’re the driving force behind the most exhilarating vehicle on the road.
For Original MINI parts, contact any of these authorized MINI dealers.
Parts: 800-782-7597
MINI of Mt. Laurel 1311 Rt. 73 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 856-778-3000 Fax: 856-813-4622 MINIOFMTLAUREL.COM FACEBOOK.COM/MINIOFMTLAUREL
E-mail: John@lynnes.com www.lynnesnissan.com Hours: M-F 7:30am - 6pm, Sat 7:30am - 2pm 5 Alva Street | Bloomfield, NJ 07003
© 2020 MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.
7 experienced countermen and 12 drivers ready to serve
MINI of Manhattan 793 11th Avenue at 55th Street New York, NY 10019 212-246-7375 Fax: 212-315-9560 MININYC.COM FACEBOOK.COM/MINIOFMANHATTAN
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 45
EMPIRE AUTO PARTS
Spend more time running your business and less time worrying about your parts.
www.empireap.com
ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 1-800-NEW-PARTS......................................... 14-15 AASP/NJ.......................................................... 17 Acme Nissan.................................................... 5 Accudraft......................................................... IBC Albert Kemperle................................................ 30 Amato Agency.................................................. 29 Audi Group....................................................... 13
Lamps
Bumper Covers
Radiators
Hoods & Fenders
BMW Group..................................................... 4 BMW of Springfield........................................... 19 Bolt On Technology........................................... 18 Clinton Honda................................................... 16 Collision Supplies of New England..................... 11
Door Mirrors
Steel Bumpers
Cooling Fans
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NJ DISTRIBUTION CENTER
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Empire Auto Parts............................................. 46 Flemington Audi............................................... 6 Ford Group....................................................... 23 GM Group........................................................ 12 Hyundai Group.................................................. 26 Innovative Solutions & Technology................. IFC Jaguar Princeton.............................................. 16 Kollective Auto Group........................................ 8-9 Krehel.............................................................. 43
Wheel Collision Center Excellence in Wheel Sales and Repair
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Land Rover Princeton........................................ 20 Lynnes Nissan East........................................... 45 Maxon Buick-GMC........................................... 33 Maxon Hyundai................................................. 35 Maxon Mazda................................................... 35 Mazda Group.................................................... 22 MGM Auto Body Supplies................................. 11 Mini Group....................................................... 45
From $77/wheel
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Mopar Group.................................................... 23
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NUCAR............................................................. 38-39
Sales/Exchange
Guaranteed Lifetime
Network1 Solutions........................................... 10 Paul Miller Subaru............................................ 17
NEW 2021
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Porsche Group................................................. 31 PPG................................................................. 3 Pro Spot........................................................... 44 Reliable Automotive Equipment......................... 24-25 Sherwin-Williams.............................................. OBC Spanesi............................................................ 34 Subaru Group................................................... 42 Town Motors.................................................... 27
7286 Penn Drive, Bath, PA 18014
USI of North America........................................ 21
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Valtek............................................................... 43
1.800.292.RIMS (7467)
46 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
VW Group......................................................... 37 Wheel Collision Center...................................... 46
New Jersey Automotive | April 2021 | 47
48 | New Jersey Automotive | April 2021
