New England Automotive Report July 2021

Serving the New England Collision and Mechanical Repair Industry

"Your Massachusetts Auto Body Association"

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IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL: AASP/MA Holds Strong on Beacon Hill

PLUS: • Why Member Benefits Matter • First Notice of Loss: What You Need to Know • The World’s Greatest Car Songs www.grecopublishing.com

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COLONIAL NISSAN 104 Mystic Avenue Medford, MA. 02155 Phone Number: 781-395-3025 FAX Number: 781-475-5063

COLONIAL HONDA OF DARTMOUTH 225 State Road (Rte. 6) Dartmouth, MA. 02747 Parts Direct: 508-997-2919 FAX Number: 508-730-6578

CITY SIDE SUBARU 790 Pleasant Street Belmont, MA. 02478 Phone Number: 617-826-5013 FAX Number: 617-489-0733

COLONIAL FORD OF PLYMOUTH 11 Pilgrim Hill Road Plymouth, MA. 02360 Phone Number: 800-233-8109 FAX Number: 508-830-1658

NORTH END SUBARU 757 Chase Road (Rte. 13) Lunenburg, MA. 01462 Phone Number: 877-289-0053 FAX Number: 978-582-9843

COLONIAL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE-RAM 24 Coolidge Street (Rte. 62) Hudson, MA. 01749 Phone Number: 978-568-8000 FAX Number: 978-562-1213

COLONIAL FORD OF MARLBOROUGH 428 Maple Street Marlborough, MA. 01752 Phone Number: 888-460-1125 FAX Number: 508-460-3464

COLONIAL SOUTH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE-RAM 42 State Road (Rte. 6) Dartmouth, MA. 02747 Phone Number: 508-984-1900 FAX Number: 508-996-5801

COLONIAL CADILLAC 201 Cambridge Road Woburn, MA. 01801 Phone Number: 781-935-7009 FAX Number: 781-933-7728

NORTH END MAZDA 757 Chase Road Lunenburg, MA. 01462 Phone Number: 800-322-1241 FAX Number: 978-582-9841

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COLONIAL CHEVROLET 171 Great Road Acton, MA. 01720 Phone Number: 800-787-2787 FAX Number: 978-263-8587 COLONIAL WEST CHEVROLET 314 John Fitch Highway Fitchburg, MA. 01420 Phone Number: 978-345-5532 FAX Number: 978-345-1152

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4 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 • Volume 19, No. 7

DEPARTMENTS

CONTENTS COVER STORY

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

by Kevin Gallerani 6 | An Unusual and Critically Important Summer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

by Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg 10 | Why Our Member Benefits Matter LOCAL NEWS 14 | Repairer Radio: AASP/MA Members Voice Consumer & Industry Concerns on WSAR 15 | Remembering James Olver Nesbitt III 16 | ADALB Relaunches State Regulations Review AASP/MA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

by Alana Bonillo 18 | North Andover Auto Body

26 | In It for the Long Haul: AASP/MA Holds Strong on Beacon Hill

by Joel Gausten

LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

VENDOR AFFINITY PROGRAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

by Alana Bonillo 22 | Altus Dental & The Magellan Insurance Agency JUST FOR FUN 42 | The World’s Greatest Car Songs

ALSO THIS ISSUE 7 | AASP/MA MEMBER APPLICATION 8 | AASP/MA GOLF TOURNAMENT SAVE THE DATE 23 | AASP/MA VENDOR AFFINITY PROGRAM SPONSORS

34 | Notice of Loss: A Legal Requirement or an Insurer Steering Opportunity?

by James A. Castleman. Esq.

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

KEVIN GALLERANI

An Unusual and Critically Important Summer our local Zone meetings and bringing information to our membership firsthand.

Of course, AASP/MA is looking forward to getting back to in-person events. Our annual Golf Tournament will be held September 15 at a new location, Heritage Country Club in Charlton. With so much activity on the association front these days, it’s critical that you attend and give us your support as we continue our work on behalf of your consumers and the Massachusetts collision repair industry. It will also be a lot of much-needed fun for all of us to get together again! It will also give us a chance to get away from all the hard work that is gearing up now that things are getting back to where they were last year. More information on this year’s Golf Tournament can be found on page 8.

Everyone has been through a lot since the early part of 2020, and we still have a marathon to run if we’re going to get our bills passed. Please continue to help us help you. If you are not yet a member of AASP/MA, we need you now more than ever. Our Membership application is on page 7.

Well, we’ve finally hit the summer of 2021, and it’s shaping up to be a season unlike any we’ve experienced in quite some time. With COVID-19 finally getting under control, more and more things will reopen and return to normal. Our shops will definitely feel the impact of people hitting the road as they enjoy the nice weather and a chance to finally get out of their homes after several stressful months. The long-overdue transition will be challenging, but this industry will persevere as always – providing a safer and more productive environment for you and your employees.

Although it’s likely we’ll all be dealing with very full plates these next couple of months, I urge everyone reading this to stay involved in AASP/MA’s current legislative efforts. Although the current session is somewhat unpredictable in light of still-existing COVID-19 safety measures, it appears right now that our bills will be heard by their respective committees at some point this fall. Now is the perfect time to keep in touch with the legislators in your area and urge them to support everything we’re working so hard to accomplish. A full update on the current standing of our political initiatives is the focus of this month’s cover story on page 26.

While we have been holding monthly General Membership Meetings over Zoom, we are looking forward to reactivating

STAFF

AASP/MA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PUBLISHER

President Kevin Gallerani

SALES DIRECTOR

AASP/MA STATEWIDE DIRECTORS

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Director At-Large Adam Ioakim

Thomas Greco | thomas@grecopublishing.com

Alicia Figurelli | alicia@grecopublishing.com

Joel Gausten | joel@grecopublishing.com

EDITORIAL/CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Bonillo | alana@grecopublishing.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Donna Greco | donna@grecopublishing.com

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

AASP/MA DIRECTORS

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

AASP/MA PRESIDENT KEVIN GALLERANI is president of Cape Auto Collision Center in Plymouth, MA. can be reached at (508) 747-0316 or kevin@capeautobody.com.

Vice President Matthew Ciaschini

Treasurer Dana Snowdale

Legislative Director At-Large Tom Ricci

ZONE 1 Mike Penacho Dan Wenzel John Studer

ZONE 2 Ray Belsito Joshua Fuller Brenda Lacaire

Affiliate Director Rick Fleming

Affiliate Director Bill Spellane

ZONE 3 Andrew Potter Brian Stone Phil Morin

Secretary Gary Cloutier

Collision Director At-Large Rob DelGallo ZONE 4 Kevin Kyes Jim Marshall Paul Tuscano

Joe Greco | joe@grecopublishing.com

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

AASP/MA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AASP/MA Executive Director Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg

New England Automotive Report is published monthly by TGP, Inc., 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed free to qualified recipients; $48 to all others. Additional copies of New England Automotive Report are available at $5 per copy. Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written permission of the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not necessarily representations of TGP Inc. or of AASP/MA. Copyright © 2021 by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com

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New England Automotive Report

AASP/MA Administrative Assistant Alana Bonillo

WWW.AASPMA.ORG

Affiliate Directors Frank Patterson Jeff White Don Dowling P. O. Box 850210 Braintree, MA 02185 617-574-0741

Membership Application 2021-2022

AASP-MA P.O. BOX 850210 Braintree, MA 02185 Phone: 617-574-0741 Fax: 973-235-1963 Email: admin@aaspma.org

Please complete this form and return to our office via mail, email or fax with your dues payment. Thank You! BUSINESS INFORMATION Massachusetts Shop Registration # __________________ Total number of Staff (Techs, office, Mgrs)________ Company’s Official Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Physical Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Mailing Address (If Different): ________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: (______)-________-___________ Fax: (______)-________-___________ Website: _______________________________________________________________________________ Social Media: _FB: _______________________________________________TWITTER:_______________________________________________

DUES STRUCTURE Type of Membership (Collison or Vendor): C: ____ OR V:____ Other: _____ Annual Dues: $495 / 12 Months* BUSINESS CONTACTS

PRIMARY CONTACT ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Name: _______________________________________________________ Name: _______________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________ CONTACTS WHO WISH TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTERS, EVENT INFORMATION, & LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Name: __________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________

YES � Please list my business as an AASP/MA member in good standing on the AASP/MA website for consumers to consider using for the collision repairs and assistance with the claims process.

I understand this is a member benefit (_________ initials Date ___/____/2021)

Yes � Please send me information regarding the following MONEY SAVING BENEFITS: � Dental plan � Healthcare plan � Credit card processing � All three

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Check# : _______________ (IF collision shop please note your RS# on the memo line of the check) OR CC #: ______________________________________________________________________ EXP: ________/___________ CID: _________________ Billing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name On Card: _____________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________________________

Are you a member of another State or National collision Industry related associations? Yes or NO, if Yes Select which ones, SCRS:_____, ASA:_____, STA:_____, Other: ____________________________________________________________ Are you I-CAR Gold Class:_______, ”On the road to Gold”: _______ Are you a member of APN Yes or NO Are you OEM certified Yes or NO? For which OEM lines: ____________________________________________________________ I hereby make this application for membership with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of MA (AASP/MA) for membership dues 2021-2022 as provided for in this contract. *Membership Dues are for a twelve month period commencing on your anniversary month of membership.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Why Our Member Benefits Matter EVANGELOS “LUCKY” PAPAGEORG

A question often posed to AASP/MA is, “What are the benefits of being a member of the association?” It can be a challenging question to answer – not because the benefits are hard to identify, but because the word “benefits” means different things to different people. What one person or business finds important as a benefit may be meaningless to another. One dictionary definition of “benefit” is, “Something that produces good or helpful results or promotes well-being.”

Another is “discounted prices," while a third is “a payment or service provided.” AASP/MA fits all of these definitions.

AASP/MA’s mission statement in part states, “Our mission is to continuously strive to advocate for consumers, educate repairers and create unity as the voice for repairers within Massachusetts.

By providing education and support, AASP/MA strives to assist all shops to achieve their objectives.” Everything AASP/MA strives to accomplish has this mission in mind. Our activities on a day-to-day basis focus on the well-being and care of vehicle owners when they need us the most. Through our activities and educational forum, we set the foundation for our member shops to be the best advocates and repairers for their customers.

It is hard work. It takes a lot of energy and a constant drive to do as much as we can to satisfy as many people as possible.

However, it is a two-way street. AASP/MA does its part by being a sounding board and a source of useful and beneficial information and guidance and assistance. The truest way to benefit is by joining and using the tools we provide to you and your customers.

Among the tools that “produce good or helpful results or promote well-being” is the aaspma.org website, which has information available to the public. We have a map on the website for shops that wish to avail themselves of the benefit of being listed as a member of the association. This map helps potential customers find a shop with the resources of an association to support them with issues that arise in the claims and collision repair processes. Several members have mentioned they have received work because of their listing as an AASP/MA member.

There also exists a “Members Only” portal on aaspma.org that has a wealth of information and forms to assist any member shop with issues that arise during the claims process. Along with the forms are video recordings of the Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board (ADALB) meetings. These videos document “highlights” of all-important discussions and decisions rendered by the ADALB. They are time stamped for easy reference. Many member shops have commented on the

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New England Automotive Report

benefit of “attending an ADALB meeting” without having to travel to a Boston meeting. This gives the shop added confidence when discussing paint and materials, aftermarket parts and other issues with insurance appraisers. Shops have indicated that they queue up the video for the benefit of the insurance appraiser if they anticipate an issue. This allows the appraiser to hear firsthand what was said during ADALB meetings rather than rely on what is filtered and passed onto them by their supervisors. Videos of our General Membership Meetings and seminars are also available through the “Members Only” portal for members who were unable to attend. Using the tools we provide does take some time and effort on your part, but you will benefit even more from your membership by doing so. The effort you spend using AASP/MA’s tools more than pays for your financial investment as a member.

For all of you who need benefits – which will save your business money, help in the retention of valuable technicians and slow the erosion of your bottom line through fees you pay out – AASP/MA has recently entered into agreements giving members three ways to save money. The first is a great dental plan through Altus Dental and the Magellan Insurance Agency.

For shops that already have dental plans through other dental care plan providers, the additional savings realized could be as high as 30 percent. For any member shops that are already in a dental plan through Altus, your additional savings could be as high as 10 percent over the best plan Altus now offers.

Another great savings available is the health care insurance plan through World Insurance and the Amato Insurance Agency. It is a program that members of our sister association, AASP/NJ, have already found to be hugely beneficial. Their program was rolled out at the beginning of April, and AASP/ NJ’s participating members have already saved hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. This employee benefit will help a great deal in retaining skilled help in a dwindling pool of technicians.

Your savings will give you a huge return on investment on the “payment for services” provided through your AASP/MA membership.

Arrangements have been made with Aurora Credit Card Processing that give you, as a member of AASP/MA, the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars every single month on your credit card processing fees through discounted processing fees or totally fee-free credit card processing. You can still give your customers the privilege of paying a portion or all of their repairs on a credit or debit card. Through the special hybrid continued on pg. 41

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[LOCAL] NEWS

Repairer Radio: AASP/MA Members Voice Consumer & Industry Concerns on WSAR Educating Massachusetts automotive consumers is the most important work AASP/MA does. With this in mind, AASP/MA Executive Director Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg recently returned to “Everything Auto with Mike Penacho” – the weekly radio show on WSAR 1480 AM/ 95.9 FM hosted by AASP/MA Zone 1 Director Mike Penacho (Mike’s Auto Body; Fall River) – to offer listeners guidance and information to help them better navigate the repair process and deal with their insurance companies.

On June 1, Papageorg and Penacho explored a host of consumer-related topics, including the benefits of insureds communicating with their carriers via email.

“The issue with speaking with anyone is you really don’t have the ability to memorialize what it is that’s being said,” Papageorg explained. He went on to say that when a consumer calls an insurance company, they’re often told that the conversation is being recorded for the purposes of training. However, consumers should keep in mind that this recording is the insurance company’s property. As such, it is important for a consumer to have a record of the exchange for themselves. He suggested that the best way for insureds to memorialize the conversation and how they understood it would be through an email to the adjuster or whoever they were speaking to. The email should clearly state how they

process.

“The insurance company is the one that reimburses you for the damage, which you purchased an insurance policy for. The insurer is not the collision repair expert.

“One of the biggest things the insurance company does is educate insureds to give them ‘first notice of loss,’” he continued.

“The first thing people do when they get into an accident is pick up the phone and call their insurance company. I’m a strong advocate that the first place you should call is the person you’re hoping is going to be able to fix your vehicle correctly – not necessarily the person who’s going to be paying the bill.”

To ensure that all Massachusetts consumers receive the level of insurer reimbursement necessary to have their vehicles professionally repaired, AASP/MA is currently promoting passage of House Bill 1111/Senate Bill 709, legislation that seeks to set a minimum reimbursement rate for auto body labor paid by insurers to Massachusetts claimants.

“We’re here to educate the consumer and protect them,” Papageorg explained in regards to the bill. “By doing so, we’re also protecting the collision repair industry, which is ever-changing. The only thing that isn’t changing is the amount that people are being reimbursed to have their vehicles worked on.”

interpreted what was said and ask that if they are incorrect in their interpretation, then they should be corrected in writing.

“Sometimes, it also helps to involve the insurance representative’s supervisor,” he continued. “Maybe the person is new and not quite sure what it is they’re saying to you. You want to make sure that a supervisor is also made aware of what’s being said and how it could possibly get misinterpreted. If you feel like you’re not entirely understanding something, it never hurts putting it in writing to ask, ‘Did I understand you correctly?’ It avoids any kind of misunderstanding or misstep or making a commitment that you really didn’t realize you were making. Any responses from the insurance company to you should be in writing for your records.”

Papageorg also outlined some of the fundamental truths that consumers should always remember when going through the repair

Above all, he urged listeners to make well-researched decisions on the shops they select and how much input they allow their insurers to have when their vehicles are in need of repair.

“What’s really important is that the consumer is educated. Part of that education is knowing who is being upfront with you and who really has your best interest at heart.”

Papageorg returned to the WSAR airwaves on June 8, this time as a guest host. He welcomed AASP/MA member Jack Lamborghini (Total Care Accident Repair; Raynham) for an in-depth, straightforward discussion on (among other things) some of the main issues impacting today’s collision repair consumers. Perhaps the strongest message Lamborghini offered was that the consumer – not their insurer – has the right to select the body shop.

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New England Automotive Report

[LOCAL] NEWS

Remembering James Olver Nesbitt III “In today’s age, do some research if you’re a consumer.

It’s pretty easy to get on the internet and within five minutes find out who in your market is competent and capable of repairing your automobile. I would just caution everybody to not just take an insurer’s direction to send you to a specific repair facility. In many cases, that becomes the fox guarding the henhouse. The insurance company’s interest and the vehicle owner’s interest are not always in alignment.

“One thing I would really encourage the vehicle owner to do is just remember that the insurer has a vested interest in trying to keep the costs down in the repair of your vehicle,” he added. “That may be in their best interest, but it isn’t always in the best interest of the vehicle owner and the correct repair of that vehicle.”

Although professional repair facilities are committed to returning damaged vehicles back to pre-loss condition using OEM-recommended/required tools and procedures, many insurers have been notoriously reluctant to adequately reimburse their insureds to cover all aspects of repairs.

Lamborghini told Papageorg that this dilemma is getting worse as automobile manufacturers continue to add new technologies to their vehicles.

“As they develop these systems that provide safer operations of the vehicle, the cost to repair those vehicles is going to go up. It’s gone up tremendously, and I think the insurance industry has not been prepared for this. They’re having a hard time accepting the fact that we, as repairers, are really not in control of what the costs of repairs are. This is what the manufacturer requires, this is what the public demands and this is how you have to repair the car so it’s safe to go on the road – not only for the people inside the vehicle but for the rest of the motoring public they’re going to come in contact with.”

Additionally, Lamborghini advised listeners to look to see if a shop they’re considering has proper training (citing I-CAR Gold as an example) and certifications to provide a safe and dependable repair job to ensure their vehicles will react as designed by the manufacturer in a subsequent collision.

“Because of the complexity of repairing today’s vehicles, you really want to make sure you’re dealing with a repair facility that has a really good handle on repairing for the kind of make and model that you happen to be driving.”

“Everything Auto with Mike Penacho” can be heard each week at wsar.com. Audio/video of the June 8 episode with guest host Lucky Papageorg and special guest Jack Lamborghini is available at aaspma.org.

On May 12, Lieutenant Commander James Olver Nesbitt III passed away at the age of 99. Born in July 1921, he was the stepfather of Nadine Nesbitt, assistant to AASP/MA Executive Director Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg.

A colorful man who lived a colorful life, Nesbitt joined the Navy Air Force in 1943, the same year he married his first wife, Phyllis Ruth Steele (with whom he had five children). His 23-year naval career took the family across the country five times before landing in Brunswick, ME. He was a naval acrobatic and instrument instructor.

His aeronautical designs were adapted by the Navy, and one was patented. After retiring from the Navy in 1966, he became the director of the Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission (AVRPC), a position he held for 10 years. His work at the AVRPC helped clean up the Androscoggin River as part of Senator Muskie’s Clean Water Act. Nesbitt and his second wife, Naomi Snyder, married in 1989.

Together, they pursued Eastern Mysticism, living at Kripalu Ashram and Sri Premananda Ashram and visiting Sai Baba at Puttaparthi.

AASP/MA and New England Automotive Report offer Nesbitt’s family and friends our deepest condolences.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 15

[LOCAL] NEWS

ADALB Relaunches State Regulations Review

On May 25, the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) held a nearly two-hour teleconference for a review of its previously submitted revisions to 212 CMR 2.00. Many have questioned the need for this review, as these revisions had previously been voted on by the Board.

In October 2016, the ADALB voted to approve and submit revisions to its current regulations following a months-long debate and review. (The original submitted revisions are available in the agenda for the May 25 meeting posted at bit.ly/ADALBD52521.)

On February 8, 2021 – nearly five years later – the Office of the Secretary of Administration and Finance (A&F) informed current ADALB Chairman Michael Donovan via a letter that the Board could continue the process of amending its regulations but must

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consider issues raised by the Division of Insurance in 2016 regarding some of the Board’s proposed and submitted amendments. Another reason given for further review was that the Board has introduced three new members, including Chairman Donovan, since October 2016.

AASP/MA members are strongly urged to view the video of the May 25 meeting in the Members Only section of aaspma. org and pay close attention to the dynamics between the collision repair and insurance industry representatives on the Board and the discussions had throughout the meeting. More detailed coverage of this meeting appears in the June issue of the Damage Report newsletter.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

[AASP/MA] MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

by Alana Bonillo

North Andover Auto Body North Andover Auto Body has been serving the community with safe, quality repairs for generations.

The shop has been owned and operated by the White family since 1983. Secondgeneration owner Jeff White recalls the early days when his father, David, first purchased the business.

“The previous owner was a good guy, so we enjoyed a good stream of business right from the start.”

The family grew on that AASP/MA Board member Jeff White has made steady work, making sure to always North Andover Auto Body an ongoing success. serve their customers well. Today, Jeff’s father and mother, Carole (who ran its floor plan to provide more space for the office and managed the bookkeeping), disassembly and assembly. Eventually, he are enjoying retirement. Jeff and his wife, hopes to have the space open to aluminum Barbara, helm the operation. work once the facility becomes certified.

Jeff has been with the shop since the Jeff credits fellow body shop owner beginning. and past AASP/MA President Tom Ricci “I pretty much started as a small child (Body and Paint Center; Hudson) for sweeping floors. When I think back, so his mentoring and guidance during the much has changed over the years. When challenging time of taking over the business.

I was in high school, one of my jobs was “Tom was instrumental in helping to clean the blood from cars. Airbags me turn this place around. We were weren’t a thing, and there were always challenged with plenty of business, and I broken windshields. To see changes with didn’t have the proper organization. He the development of vehicles has been eyespent a generous amount of time helping opening. This has always been a good trade me understand where my weak points were, and a good place to work. We’ve always where to improve and what to focus on.” stayed busy, and I learned a whole lot from The shop owner attributes the facility’s day one.” success to his team and is grateful to Jeff didn’t fully plan on making North have such great technicians and office Andover Auto Body his career, but he’s professionals on his staff. happy with the way it all worked out. His A longtime member of AASP/MA, he father asked him to fill in for his departing recently committed to serving on the Board office manager until he could find a as a Zone 4 affiliate director. replacement. As it turns out, he had already “It’s been eye-opening for me to realize found that replacement in Jeff, who stayed what goes on behind the scenes. You can go on and never looked back. to meetings as a general member, but you Since he took over the business in don’t understand all the prep and different 2013, he worked to make it reach I-CAR things that go into it. It’s work, but it’s work Gold status and become a Honda ProFirst with a purpose. By being a part of it, I feel Certified shop. He also expanded the I’m part of the changes to come. I think facility, adding on 1,200 square feet to it’s something all shop owners should do at

some point in their career.”

The connections he’s made have been a huge help, especially during hard times.

Before the pandemic hit, his shop was severely affected by the Columbia Gas explosion, which left him without gas to their building and forced him to obtain a 1,000-gallon propane tank. When he was forced to send work out, he looked toward his fellow Board members Adam Ioakim (Hogan and Van Auto Body; Medford) and Paul Tuscano (Auto Body Builders; Middleton).

“They were shops I could trust that I knew would fix the cars properly.

Customers have been coming here for years; you don’t want to send them just anywhere. Those guys were a big help taking in what I couldn’t take. That is a part of the association – having that knowledge of who is doing it the way you’re doing it. I believe in what AASP/MA has done for me and what it accomplishes for other members as well. I joined the Membership Committee to help grow our numbers to bring about needed change in the industry, and I encourage anyone who isn’t already a member to get on board.”

Quality of service has always been the top priority at North Andover Auto Body.

“We are all about making sure that when our customers get their cars back, they are 100 percent happy.”

Pleasing customers and helping them during a stressful time is the main reason he is grateful to be in this business.

“Having a collision is noted as one of the top five biggest stress factors. How you handle that customer can really de-stress them. We enjoy looking at a finished job and knowing we did our best to our ability, but when you get down to it, it’s metal. It’s people who matter more. If we can take a super stressful situation and turn it around, it’s a big reward.”

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

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New England Automotive Report

FinishMaster and CREF have created a student contest for the best restored and painted bowling pins.

Welcome to the 2021 challenge for

WHO’S ELIGIBLE?

Any high school or college student currently enrolled in a Collision Repair Program is eligible to participate.

This includes students graduating in May/June of 2021.

HOW TO ENTER:

Email CREF at info@ed-foundation.org for a registration form.

Acquire an old bowling pin from a local bowling alley and repair the cracks.

Paint an awesome design on your pin. Pins may be airbrushed or pinstriped using automotive paint Mail your pin to: CREF

Attn: Brandon Eckenrode 5125 Trillium Blvd Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Note: get a tracking number when mailing your pin.

Completed pin must be received by CREF by or before September 10, 2021.

JUDGING:

Will take place in Indianapolis on October 15, 2021.

Our judging panel is made up of Collision Repair Industry Professionals and Influencers.

PRIZES: 1st Place:

SATAjet 100 BF HVLP or RP, Choice of nozzle 35’ Ultra-Flo Spray Hose 300 piece Craftsman tool box

2nd Place:

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[VENDOR AFFINITY PROGRAM] MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

by Alana Bonillo

Thanks to a collaboration between Altus Dental and the Magellan Insurance Agency, AASP/MA members are reaping some exciting new benefits!

The association recently announced it has partnered with both companies to offer a cost-saving dental plan for its members in good standing.

“We’ve been delivering affordable, comprehensive dental plans in Massachusetts for more than two decades,” Altus Dental Account Executive Stanley Ifill states. “With one of the largest PPO networks around, we tailor flexible plans to meet your client’s need – and save them money with some of the deepest discounts in the industry.

Our customer satisfaction is second to none, which rates far above industry average.”

Founded in 2001, Altus Dental is one of the region’s largest PPO networks with more than 10,000 participating dental locations

in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Southern New Hampshire.

The company runs an aggressive campaign to continuously grow its network, adding about 300 new dentists per year. Plan members receive an average of 35 percent discount if using dentists innetwork; as a PPO, members can always see any dentist they like – in or out of network.

“Nothing is more important to us than your oral health,” Ifill says. “That’s why we’ve included the Preventive Rewards Program. When you choose this benefit enhancement, none of your preventive dental services affect your annual maximum, allowing you to stretch your benefit dollars, which can be used toward bigger-ticket items, including root canals, extractions, dentures, crowns and implants.”

A local family-owned second-generation benefits brokerage, the Magellan Agency was founded in the 1980s, specializing in providing group employee benefits. Steven Walsh has been a broker for over 20 years, attaining many industry designations, including the advanced “Registered Health Underwriter.” This high-level coursework gives his clients confidence that they are receiving the best prices and value every year.

In Walsh’s mind, the agency’s greatest asset is the personal touch it provides its clients and keen knowledge of the local Massachusetts marketplace.

“All of our clients receive an in-depth benefits review from a tenured benefits professional who spends the time to understand their business and specific needs to deliver a targeted solution.”

Plan members will also be granted a free subscription to the Magellan Agency’s online HR compliance portal, which employers

can use as a resource for up-to-date content and tools needed to stay compliant, manage risk and build a better workforce.

Both Altus Dental and the Magellan Insurance Agency recently came on board as Bronze-level participants of AASP/MA’s Vendor Affinity Program. All parties involved see the value of working together.

“This is a great way to get out there, gain exposure and support another industry,” Ifill says.

“Our success is mutual,” Walsh adds. “I enjoy contributing to the success of the AASP/MA association and industry and its employer groups as a Bronze-level sponsor and providing excellent group benefits at a discounted price. Our goal is to improve the member benefits experience and grow the association, leading to greater success for all.”

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

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New England Automotive Report

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[COVER] STORY

by Joel Gausten

AASP/MA Holds Strong on Beacon Hill “Combined, both of our bills have received almost 100 sponsors – that’s nearly 50 percent of the Legislature.”

If you care about your customers and the survival of your business, then the above words by AASP/MA Lobbyist Guy Glodis should get your attention. As of early June, AASP/MA had already reached a record-breaking number of lawmakers standing in support of its efforts to reshape the insurance and regulatory landscapes in Massachusetts.

“The foundation of AASP/MA’s bills has more to do with consumer protection than they do the collision industry itself,” Glodis says. “ It’s really about the best way to help consumers in Massachusetts, and it’s an important message for the State House to hear.

“Being part of Beacon Hill since the mid-’90s, I can say there is really an air of reform there right now, which bodes well for AASP/MA’s legislative agenda,” he adds. “I think it’s long overdue that we take a look at insurance, which hasn’t taken place in any significant form since the late 1980s. As a group, AASP/MA is really motivated and organized and will not take a backseat to the insurance lobby. The association has really revamped its legislative efforts and is really moving ahead full throttle in this session.”

Filed by Representative Tackey Chan of Quincy, House 26 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

Bill 327 aims to move the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Professional Licensure. It also seeks to expand the size of the ADALB to include two consumer advocates, one appointed from the Attorney General’s Office and the other from a consumer advocacy group, and replace the current Board chairman, appointed by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance, with one appointed by the Commissioner of the Division of Professional Licensure. Additionally, it will set term limits for all ADALB members.

As AASP/MA Executive Director Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg sees it, passage of the bill would go a long way in ensuring that the ADALB finally has the proper oversight and muscle needed to truly serve and protect the motoring public by enforcement of regulations on all licensed auto damage appraisers.

“The ultimate goal of the move is to have the Board be placed somewhere where the understanding of the importance of a professional license is truly realized. It’s not an issue of protecting someone’s financial gains or losses; it’s about protecting the consumer. An appraiser should be doing their job according to the regulations, just like anyone who holds a professional license in electrical, plumbing or even hairdressing. If they’re

doing something that violates the regulations that govern their license, they take the chance of reprimand, suspension, fines and other penalties. That is exactly what we need in the collision repair industry for all appraisers. This is not a witch-hunting expedition for licensed appraisers who work for insurance companies. Anyone who is not living up to their obligations as a licensed auto damage appraiser should be potentially reprimanded and punished for not doing so.”

A licensed appraiser himself, he is quick to voice frustration over the current Board’s lack of action and response to multiple complaints against appraisers currently on file.

“Licenses should mean something. I just wrote out a check for my license renewal. Quite honestly, it galled me. I’m throwing this money into the pot, but If I don’t have to live up to the regulations that govern my license, then that license is meaningless.”

Of course, writing a proper estimate means noting everything that needs to be done to properly repair a damaged vehicle. In 2021, that means utilizing the appropriate equipment, tools and procedures to handle the complex nature of current automotive technology. Unfortunately, many Commonwealth insureds are not receiving the proper reimbursement from their carriers. This is where House Bill 1111/Senate Bill 709 comes in. Filed in the House

by Representative James Hawkins of Attleboro, the bill seeks to set a minimum reimbursement rate for auto body labor paid by insurers to Massachusetts claimants. This would enable the consumer to have a choice in selecting a facility and not be limited to just shops that are willing to work for a substandard rate.

“The rate of reimbursement that insurance companies have suppressed and artificially created is truly at the heart of the issue and is to the detriment of the vehicle owner,” Papageorg says. “If the insurance industry can continue to mandate and insist that it sets the rate for a retail business, it goes beyond what independent business is all about. Business should be competitive, and any collision facility out there should be able to draw consumers to it based on quality, turnaround time and the cost of repair. It shouldn’t be based upon a contractual arrangement to have work sent to you and then bowing down to how the insurance company that sent you that work wants to see it done without accepting the liability for their imposed limitations.”

On May 17, Papageorg addressed members of the Joint Committee on Financial Services during an informal virtual hearing on House Bill 1111/Senate Bill 709 and several other pieces of legislation currently filed at the State House. He explained to continued on pg. 30 New England Automotive Report

July 2021 27

28 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 29

[COVER]]STORY continued from pg. 27 Committee members that AASP/MA currently represents more than 3,000 shop owners, employees and other industry-related professionals in Massachusetts, stressing that the association’s mission statement is to ensure a safe and professional repair experience for vehicle owners.

“AASP/MA is a pro-consumer association representing all collision repair and mechanical repair shops here in Massachusetts regardless of insurance affiliation. Our mission is to continuously strive to advocate for consumers, educate repairers and create unity as the voice for repairers in Massachusetts.”

In addition, Papageorg invited Committee members to reach out to AASP/MA if they have any questions in regard to the

Left to right: AASP/MA Kevin Gallerani, AASP/MA Treasurer Dana

BEST CHEVROLET_NEAR0320.qxp_Layout 1 2/12/20 12:02“Lucky” PM Page 1 Snowdale, AASP/MA Executive Director Evangelos Papageorg,

Representative Tackey Chan, Representative Brian Murphy and AASP/MA Lobbyist Guy Glodis at a fundraiser for Representative Chan on June 11

pending legislation and/or to arrange an in-person meeting at a member facility in their area if they want to learn more about the issues affecting the industry and the public it serves.

With nearly 100 Massachusetts legislators already pledging their support to AASP/MA in this session, the next step in the process will be getting both bills heard in a timely manner during what is already a heavy and hectic time for state politics. At press time, it appeared that in-person committee hearings could resume

by September, while some bills could be heard virtually in the interim.

While sunshine and a growing return to regular life may tempt some AASP/MA members to go easy on working with their area representatives, now is not the time to slow down.

“We can’t rest on our early success,” Glodis insists. “We have to continue to push our consumer-reform agenda and make the legislators truly know why these bills are important to the public’s well-being. The Legislature very rarely acts; it tends to react. The AASP/MA membership needs to keep in mind that almost 50 percent of the Legislature has only been there for two terms. That’s a staggering amount of new people coming in, and a lot of them don’t know about the issues that affect the auto industry and collision repair consumers. It’s incumbent upon us to get the message out there but also to pound the drums. Reform doesn’t come by chance; it comes by advocacy, organization and keeping the membership motivated to force change up on Beacon Hill.”

For more information on AASP/MA’s legislation, please visit aaspma.org or contact AASP/MA Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg at lucky@aaspma.org or (617) 574-0741.

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[LEGAL] PERSPECTIVE by James A. Castleman, Esq. [LEGAL]

Notice of Loss: A Legal Requirement or an Insurer Steering Opportunity?

If an insured vehicle is in an accident or if it otherwise incurs an insurance-covered loss, then that vehicle’s insurer must be notified of the incident. As required by the standard Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy, “We, or our agent, must be notified promptly of the accident or loss by you or someone on your behalf.” Under certain insurance coverages, if the insured fails to notify their insurer “promptly” of an accident or loss, then the insurer may not be required to pay the claim. And under the standard policy, “If you are filing a claim for damage to your auto, you or someone on your behalf must file a proof of loss within 91 days after the accident.”

Insurers are well aware of the notice of loss requirement and have become creative in using that requirement to attempt to exercise control over the collision repair industry in Massachusetts. In what may be viewed as a disturbing trend by the majority of members of the repair industry, insurers have been using the required notice of loss as an opportunity to increasingly and ever more boldly attempt to steer claimants to their preferred repair shops.

How did this happen, and what can be done about it?

A History of Insurer Referrals in Massachusetts At one time, the ability of insurers to steer their insureds to particular repair facilities was almost nonexistent in Massachusetts.

When the statute establishing the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) was enacted in 1981, it included (and still includes) a mandate that “no appraiser or insurer shall request or suggest that repairs be made in a specified repair shop.” [Emphasis added.] This was strengthened by follow-up regulations issued by the ADALB that state that “no staff or independent appraiser, insurer, representative of insurer or employer of an independent appraiser shall refer the claimant to or away from any specific repair shop or require that repairs be made by a specific repair shop or individual.” [Emphasis added.]

The language of the governing statute and the ADALB regulation was initially interpreted to prohibit any and all referrals by insurers of their insureds to any one or more collision repair shops. That reading of the law was narrowed in 1987, however, when Allstate Insurance Co. challenged it in a lawsuit and got the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to rule that “an insurer, on the request of a customer, may provide that customer with a list of repair shops or individuals which it believes can do quality repair work as long as the communication makes it clear that the choice of the repair shop or individual belongs to the customer.” [Emphasis added.] Notably, the wording of the statute and ADALB regulation was not struck down. Rather, the Court found that the language did not prohibit an insurer from providing a list of repair shops if the insured customer requested it and if the insurer makes it clear that the choice of shop remained with the customer.

The prohibition against referrals was then significantly narrowed with the adoption of the “Direct Payment” system of auto damage claim settlement, enacted by statute in 1988 and effective as of 1989, which allowed Massachusetts insurers to file Direct Payment Plans for approval by the Commissioner of Insurance. The system also provided that “notwithstanding any other law […] the Commissioner may require any plan filed […] to provide […] that the insured will be given a list of at least five registered repair shops, geographically convenient 34 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

for the insured, from which the insured may at his or her option select a shop.” It also stated that “no insurer or appraiser shall require that repairs to any motor vehicle be made at any specific repair shop, or list of repair shops.” [Emphasis added.] The Commissioner then issued regulations that incorporated these terms. Further, the statute and the subsequent governing regulations essentially allowed any registered Massachusetts motor vehicle repair shop to be able to be on an insurer’s list of referral shops so long as the repair shop agreed to the terms of the insurer’s referral shop contract.

The Direct Payment system of auto damage claim settlement became the standard in Massachusetts, but there still continued to be limitations on insurers being able to steer claimants to particular repair shops. In fact, the Commissioner required that the claimant be provided with a list of all registered repair shops in their county, with at least five referral repair shops just being highlighted or asterisked.

Additionally, the requirement stated that the list not be provided until a damage appraisal had been prepared by the insurer and delivered to the insured. A notice had to be given to the claimant informing them that they still had the right to use whatever registered repair shop they wanted to choose.

The biggest blow to the Massachusetts anti-referral laws came in 2011. While some insurers had apparently been engaging in similar conduct surreptitiously before then, that was when the Commissioner of Insurance approved a Direct Payment Plan submitted by Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (MetLife) that, on its face, proposed to allow claims handlers to steer insureds to particular repair shops when taking the claimant’s first notice of loss over the phone. Notably, the approval of MetLife’s plan was made without a hearing and despite the plan apparently violating multiple provisions of governing statutes and regulations. Directly within its plan submission, MetLife stated its intended practice of providing “warm transfers” of claimants to individual repair shops: MetLife Auto & Home will be introducing customers interested in the Platinum Auto Service Program to the shops directly in an effort to streamline the process. There is no better time to make this introduction than when the customer is on the phone reporting their auto claim. Therefore, our claims department will be contacting you, when the customer is on the phone and agreeable to this service, to provide you with an introduction and to facilitate the scheduling process [...] MetLife Auto & Home associates will conference your shop into a call with the customer to schedule a repair date and time which will be convenient for the customer and your shop. The repair should be scheduled for the first available opportunity in your shop that meets the customer’s needs.

[Emphasis added.]

While public records show that the Division of Insurance originally balked at this procedure, the Commissioner approved MetLife’s plan in the end despite what appears to me to be a direct violation of the governing statutes and regulations.

Since that time, many insurers have developed their own specialized direct referral shop programs. In my opinion, the insurers and the Commissioner of Insurance have blindly continued to ignore the requirements of the law. The result has been what appears to be an

continued on pg. 36

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 35

[LEGAL] PERSPECTIVE [LEGAL] continued from pg. 34 extensive system of direct steering of claimants to individual contracted referral repair shops and stripping from the vast majority of collision repair shops the right to even try to compete for work.

What Can Be Done about This Practice by Insurers?

With the Commissioner of Insurance having approved Direct Payment plans that incorporate terms that seem to allow insurers to directly steer claimants to individual repair shops, the challenge of counteracting such steering is huge. There is no one good solution, but there are some suggestions that come to mind for those members of the collision repair industry that object to insurer direct referral programs.

Among them are: • Individual shops should educate their customers in advance about these customers’ absolute right to choose their own repair shop to repair their car. That is clearly the law, and you can and should let others know. Let them know that if their insurer suggests a repair shop, then they absolutely do not have to use that shop. Also, let them know why you think that your shop is a better choice for them. Do you have a list of customers that you can target? Can you send them mailings or emails? Do you advertise in your local paper or in radio or TV advertising? Do you participate in any online blogs? Do you belong to local fraternal organizations to which you can get the word out either through individual word of mouth or targeted meeting presentations?

• Encourage your trade association to get the word out, and assist that association in doing so. If you are a member of AASP/MA (or another trade association), object to direct referral programs and want the association to try to do something about it, let that association’s directors know your position and encourage them to get the word out.

(Of course, if you like the insurer programs, then you have the right to lobby your association for your position as well.) AASP/MA can provide written materials for distribution, provide speakers for meetings of organizations that you belong to, publicize information on its website, provide radio and TV publicity and take multiple other actions to try to educate the public as to their rights. Of course, you need to let AASP/MA know and help the association by providing the financial and personal support that it needs to do these things.

• If you are contacted by a customer before they file their notice of loss, consider contacting their insurer on their behalf to give the notice of loss. The insurance policy requires that the notice of loss be given by the insured or by someone on their behalf.

• Get involved in the political process. You have the right to contact your state senators and representatives, and your employees have that right as well – and then you have the right to vote for those individuals

who you believe best represent your interests. Politicians are not (at least not always) in the pockets of the insurance industry, and they listen to their individual constituents more than most people realize. But they don’t know what your issues are and how you feel about them unless you tell them. (NOTE: The Commissioner of Insurance is a political appointee, selected by and responsive to the Governor, and also is often responsive to pressure from state senators and representatives.

The Commissioner is the individual responsible for enforcing the laws regarding the insurance industry in Massachusetts.)

• Get involved in the legislative process. AASP/MA has a lobbyist and has developed many bills over the years that address various issues that affect the collision repair industry. There is never a guarantee that any such bill will pass – and, arguably, current law already would protect the industry if the law would only be enforced – but it may make sense to develop legislation that addresses this issue further.

• Consider filing lawsuits or having your customers file lawsuits when and if appropriate. If an insurer steers a customer to a repair shop, and particularly if that shop then performs inferior repairs, consider bringing suit for the damages that result and include the insurer as a defendant in that suit. This may be a long shot, but if enough insurers get sued for their actions, just maybe they will reconsider what they are doing.

Conclusion Yes, insureds are required to file a notice of loss with an insurer if they are in an accident or if they have a covered loss. But under the laws that exist in Massachusetts, it would appear that insurers are not supposed to use that event to steer their insureds to particular repair shops. Yet they do, and they do so with the apparent approval of the Commissioner of Insurance. To me, this appears to be wrong and in violation of current law. But until someone – or many people – do something about it, things are not going to change.

Consider the suggestions for seeking change set out in this article.

Be creative in thinking of other avenues that may also be followed in an attempt to rectify the situation. There are no guarantees, but nothing is going to change if nothing is done to try to change it.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

Attorney James Castleman is a managing member of Paster, Rice & Castleman, LLC in Quincy, MA. He can be reached at (617) 472-3424 or at jcastleman@prclawoffice.com.

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New England Automotive Report

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE continued from pg. 10 process offered by Aurora, processing fees could be significantly discounted or even eliminated, allowing you to retain more of your hard-earned money – all through your membership in AASP/MA. All three of these programs offer no-obligation comparison quotes. AASP/MA has already done all the research; you will see how much you can save for yourself. These savings benefits are all available for you to realize as a member of AASP/MA. An often unseen but provided benefit to every single member of AASP/MA is the hard-working and dedicated staff that works tirelessly for your benefit. The AASP/MA Board of Directors gives a tremendous amount of their time and energy to benefit you, your customers and your business. They do this while running their businesses so that you can concentrate on running your business.

They spend countless hours working together as a Board and on many committees. They do this as volunteers! As a matter of fact, it costs each Board of Director money to volunteer – either through additional contributions over and above their yearly dues to our Political Action Committee (PAC) account or by contributing to our Lobbying and Legal Fund, etc. – along with giving AASP/MA their time and energy.

An often unseen but provided benefit to every single member of AASP/MA is the hard-working and dedicated staff that works tirelessly for your benefit.

If you are an AASP/MA member, thank you! If you have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for something to get done so that you can reap the benefit, it is high time you joined and added to our ability to create even more benefits for you, your customers, your technicians and your business. You need to help benefit your industry, which is truly a great one!

Being a part of the success is a benefit in and of itself! JOIN NOW! PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS

AASP/MA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EVANGELOS “LUCKY” PAPAGEORG can be reached at (617) 574-0741 or lucky@aaspma.org.

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July 2021 41

[JUST FOR FUN] THE WORLD'S GREATEST CAR SONGS

There are just as many songs on the radio about cars as there are cars on the road.

It was not an easy task, but we narrowed it down to these top five picks of the best car songs around.

1 2 3 4 5 42 July 2021

Meat Loaf: “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”

This Classic Rock staple pretty much added itself to this list with little to no thought. Written by American composer Jim Steinman (who passed away earlier this year) and featuring the powerful vocals of Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley, the epic three-part song takes the listener on a tour of a couple’s not-so-perfect romance in a car by the dashboard light. One of the longest songs to ever be released as a 45 (for those of you old enough to know what that is), the Bat Out of Hell album version clocks in at 8:38!

The Beach Boys: “I Get Around” This 1964 number one hit by The Beach Boys surely earns a spot on our list.

“I Get Around” may very well be the ultimate driving song. Its multi-part a capella opening, classic Rock ‘n’ Roll vibe, falsetto chorus and simple, singalong lyrics (“Round round get around/I get around”) set the perfect soundtrack for a drive down the highway. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017. Still relevant in today’s world, it serves as the opening theme to AASP/MA Director Mike Penacho’s radio show, “Everything Auto with Mike Penacho,” which can be heard weekly on WSAR.

Prince: “Little Red Corvette” Prince drove this one to the masses in 1983 as a second single off his 1999 album, and the song reached the No. 6 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The lyrics showcase plenty of car and driving imagery (“I say your ride is so smooth/You must be a limousine”) that can easily be code for sexual innuendos. The song made a comeback in 2016 after the star’s untimely death.

The Beatles: “Drive My Car” This upbeat Lennon-McCartney tune served as the opening track to the UK version of The Beatles’ 1965 Rubber Soul album. The lyrics (“Baby, you can drive my car/Yes, I’m gonna be a star/Baby, you can drive my car/And maybe I’ll love you”) tell the story of a man singing about a girl who promises the chance of love provided he serve as her chauffer as she takes a journey toward becoming a movie star. Although the lyrics are cute and clever with some nods to sex and romance, it’s said the super songwriting duo found much difficulty in the drive to put it together. In fact, McCartney has famously called it one of the band’s “stickiest” writing sessions ever.

Bruce Springsteen: “Pink Cadillac”

Here’s one that immediately came to mind. Although it wasn’t one of his biggest hits, this little number by Bruce Springsteen was released as a B-side to his single “Dancing in the Dark” in 1984. The song’s ’50s vibe will have you singing, “Riding in the back/Cruising down the street” as you do just that. The song ranked on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for 14 weeks, hitting No. 27. The Boss’ tune would later be covered by many other artists, including Natalie Cole, Jerry Lee Lewis and Melissa Etheridge.

New England Automotive Report

Get it right

from the source.

Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers are the one-stop source for all of your collision repair needs.

When you need fascias, grilles, headlamps, wheels or any other Ford Motor Company Ge uine Part, call your local wholesaling dealership. They’re a great souce for technical and repair information as well. Using Genuine Parts can help your body shop reduce cycle time, improve relationships with insurance companies and satisfy customers. So get everything you need in just one call to your one-stop collision repair resource – your local Ford or Lincoln Mercury Dealership.

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Rely on Volvo Genuine parts to get the right fit, at the right price, right now.

Please contact the following dealers for your Volvo parts needs: Prime Volvo Cars 1030 Hingham Street Rockland, MA 02370 Parts Direct: 781-927-3520 Fax: 781-927-3592 www.volvocarssouthshore.com

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New England Automotive Report

July 2021 43

Genuine Replacement Parts For the Road Ahead.

Avoid problems down the road that will cost you time, money and customers. Choose Genuine Subaru Replacement Parts, engineered to fit better today, and perform better tomorrow.

For Genuine Subaru Body Parts, contact the following Authorized Subaru Dealers: Long Subaru 7 Sutton Rd. Webster, MA 01570 800-982-2298 Fax: 508-879-1212 tschube@longauto.com

Quirk Auto Dealers 115 E. Howard St. Quincy, MA 02169 Toll Free: 877-707-8475

Balise Subaru 561 Quaker Ln. Warwick, RI 02893 TOLL FREE: 800-992-6220 FAX: 800-254-3544 wparts@baliseauto.com www.BaliseWholesaleParts.com

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44 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

Patrick Subaru 247 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-756-8364 Fax: 508-752-3691 www.patricksubaru.com jlavalley@patrickmotors.com

New England Automotive Report

July 2021 45

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Boch Chevrolet.................................................. 36 Boch Hyundai................................................. 21 Collision Supplies............................................ 21 Colonial Auto Group......................................... 2 Empire Auto Parts........................................... 46 Ford Group..................................................... 43 Genesis of Norwood........................................ 36 Honda Group.................................................. 35 Hyundai Group............................................... 43 Ira Subaru........................................................ 12

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Ira Toyota of Danvers...................................... 13

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Kia Group....................................................... 15

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Kelly Automotive Group...............................IBC

Linder’s, Inc. ................................................... 12 Lombard Equipment....................................... 11 Long Automotive Group................................. 38 Mazda Group.................................................. 16 McGovern Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram ������������� 37 Mopar Group.................................................. 39 Nissan Group.................................................... 9

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Parts Accuracy Friendly Sales Team 46 July 2021

New England Automotive Report

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Sherwin Williams.............................................. 3 Spanesi............................................................ 31 Subaru Group.................................................. 44 Toyota Group.................................................. 45 USI North America......................................... 32 Volvo Group.................................................... 43 VW Group...................................................... 33 Wheel Collision Center................................... 46

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New England Automotive Report