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P.O. Box 734 Neptune, NJ 07753
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Charles Bryant 732-922-8909 / setlit4u@msn.com
2023-2025 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Ken Miller, 821 Collision, LLC (973) 949-3733 / kmiller@821collision.com
COLLISION CHAIRMAN/
PAST PRESIDENT ATTENDING
Jerry McNee, Ultimate Collision Repair, Inc. 732-494-1900 / ultimatecollision@att.net
MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN
Keith Krehel, Krehel Automotive Repair, Inc. 973-546-2828 / krehelauto@aol.com
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
Nick Barbera, Union Collision 908-964-1212 / nick@unioncollision.com
Dennis Cataldo, Jr., D&M Auto Body 732-251-4313 / jr@dnmautobody.com
Brad Crawford, Livingston Collision, Inc. 973-992-5274 / livingston.collision@gmail.com
Todd Fontana, Proline Body & Chassis 201-398-1512 / todd@prolinebody.com
Gary Gardella, Jr., County Line Auto Body 732-363-5904 / countylineautobody@gmail.com
Dean Massimini, Autotech Collision Service, Inc. 856-232-1822 / autotechnj@comcast.net
Jeff McDowell, Leslie’s Auto Body 732-738-1948 / chacki@aol.com
Ted Rainer, Ocean Bay Auto Body 732-899-7900 / ted@oceanbayautobody.com
Anthony Trama 973-818-9739 / anthonytrama@aol.com
BOARD ALLIED
Joe Amato, The Amato Agency 732-530-6740 / joesr@amatoagency.com
Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann Dealer Group 973-332-7014 / mkaufmann@adps.com
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com
VICE PRESIDENT/SALES DIRECTOR
Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Alana Quartuccio / alana@grecopublishing.com
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Chasidy Rae Sisk / chasidy@grecopublishing.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Joe Greco / joe@grecopublishing.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Charles Bryant • Mario DeFilippis •
Josh Bauchner • Kaitlyn Gavidia
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 @grecopublishing
LOCAL NEWS
14 Repairers Speak Out – Meet AASP/NJ’s New Board Members by Alana Quartuccio
20 The Car Doctor Returns to WOR Radio by Alana Quartuccio
NATIONAL FEATURE
24 Refund Fishing for Insurers: Shops Speak Out on Wilber Group’s Collections Horse Play by Chasidy Rae Sisk
COVER STORY
28 Get in Gear - Uncover the Future at NORTHEAST®! by Alana Quartuccio
NORTHEAST EDUCATION SLATE
31 The Educational Line Up for NORTHEAST 2025 is here!
AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY
40 Wharton Insurance Briefs by Mario DeFilippis
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
Alicia Figurelli
Thomas Greco
Dan Hawtin
Rich Johnson
Mike Kaufmann
Wes Kearney
Nick Kostakis
Jim Kowalak
Keith Krehel
Joe Lubrano
Michael Lovullo
Jeff McDowell
Jerry McNee
Sam Mikhail
Ron Mucklow
George Petrask
Russ Robson
Jerry Russomano
George Threlfall
Anthony Trama
Cynthia Tursi
Lee Vetland
Paul Vigilant
Rich Weber
Brian Vesley
Glenn Villacari
Stan Wilson
You Can’t Make this S@#T Up!
You know that saying “You can’t make this shit up?” Boy, did I live that to the extreme last month. Let me explain…
A few years ago, we were fortunate to apply for the public relations contract for my hometown of Nutley. I really didn’t know what to expect, because the company that had been doing it prior to us did absolutely nothing. I figured, “That sounds like a nice gig.” So I put together a proposal and brought my daughter along with me to make the presentation. At the time, my daughter was a VP of a huge New York public relations firm, so I basically sat back and let her do the talking. Most of the officials knew me really well and realized how much I love our town. I think those two factors – along with the great body of work my staff does on a daily basis – sealed the deal, and we were awarded the contract.
At the time, I had no idea what it would entail. I knew we would certainly do more than their previous firm, but honestly, I didn’t figure on it being that much work. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Last year alone, we covered over 150 events! Several press releases and dozens of conversations with town officials each week, meeting coverage, etc. The account that I thought we could handle with basically myself and a little help from my daughter became way, way more than I imagined. But three years later, we have grown into it, and I think we do a hell of a job. My daughter has backed away, but we have been able to do the job with other family members, staff and interns.
As I have written many times, I love my town. And I love being responsible for telling the world how great it is. And it’s great working with officials who love the town just as much as I do. But trust me, I would NEVER want their job. These guys spend 40 hours a week doing town business IN ADDITION to their professions. All for an incredible “salary” of around $2,500 per year!
Covering your hometown (and the place you’ve never left) can have its drawbacks. And it can put you in some awkward positions. But nothing could have prepared us for the night of the Christmas tree lighting.
Every year, our town really does an incredible job with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Just picture an old 1940s Bing Crosby movie where what seems like the whole town comes out and everyone is happy and singing along. Snow, Santa, horse and buggy rides, you get the idea. For as far back as I can remember, the Nutley Christmas tree was always located on our high school football field, which is the centerpiece of town. But this year, we changed it up, built a beautiful new plaza in front of the Town Hall and placed the tree right smack in the middle of it. It looked amazing.
It is part of our job to cover the event every year. This year, I got the brilliant idea to use a drone to fly over the town leading to the tree as it was being lit. Now, the Town Hall is right across from our police station, so I sent my son
by THOMAS GRECO, PUBLISHER
Joe over to the station to set up the drone and fly it from there. (He’s the expert; I have no idea how to work it.) I wasn’t far from him, enjoying my chestnuts roasting on an open fire when I turned back to see some police officers talking to him. I figured it was just a few of his friends on the force or a couple of the officers who knew me, since I do all the police public relations as well. I turned back to watch the Mayor start his speech when my wife grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.
Joe was being brought into the station in handcuffs. WTF?
I ran over to the cops and said, “Whoa, guys, what’s going on?”
“Stay back, Tom. We just want to ask him some questions.”
“Are you f#%ing kidding me? He’s shooting a video for the town.”
As they took him into the station, one of my friends on the job said, “You’ve been reading about those drones all over the state, right?”
“Get the f#$k out of here. He’s shooting the tree…”
“Calm down. We just have to ask him a few questions.”
I turned away and went searching through the crowd for the police commissioner. When I found him, he had the same reaction I did: “WTF?”
I followed him into the station and as I waited, he came out and said, “I can’t do anything right now. It’s a state thing. They have to question him. It shouldn’t be long.”
About 10 minutes later, a detective friend of mine came out and told me that the Governor has issued a mandate that anyone flying drones without a permit would be arrested. Now, I was losing my mind.
“How long is he going to be here?” I raged.
“It’s Sunday night. He’ll have to go before the judge tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll see about that,” I said. Our town judge happens to be one of my oldest friends.
“Alan, can you come down to the police station?” I explained what had happened to Joe. His answer almost made me faint.
“Tom, you know I’m your lawyer, right?”
“Yeah, so what?”
“So, I can’t preside over this. It’s a conflict of interest. He has to go to county court in Newark.”
‘NEWARK???”
This time, I actually did faint.
When I woke up in a cold sweat, Joe was standing over me. “Come on, Dad. We’re going to be late for the tree lighting.”
You can’t make this shit up?
Sure you can.
BTW: Everyone LOVED the drone footage.
The Human Toll of Denials: A Topic Not Often Considered
Every single day, claims personnel at auto insurance companies make decisions that deeply affect the lives of policyholders. Yet, many of these decisions are made in strict adherence to corporate directives – guidelines designed to prioritize cost-cutting over compassion, often in direct contradiction to the promises made in the policy. Adjusters, often pressured to minimize payouts, rarely pause to consider the personal consequences of their denials: families left without transportation, individuals struggling to recover from financial hardships or repairers forced to compromise on safety. This detached, procedural approach to claims handling has eroded trust in the insurance system and left countless policyholders feeling abandoned in their time of need.
This dynamic was disturbingly underscored late last year when the CEO of UnitedHealth Group was murdered in New York City. Even more unsettling has been the public reaction. Some individuals, disillusioned by their own experiences with denied claims, have shockingly celebrated the suspect as a hero or symbol of resistance
by KEN MILLER
against insurers. This grotesque distortion of justice reflects how broken the insurance system has become. When the public begins to see violent acts as a form of justice, it reveals the profound failure of an industry that is meant to protect, not betray, its customers.
High salvage values have driven insurers to lower the thresholds at which vehicles are considered a total loss, allowing them to recoup costs through salvage auctions while issuing lower payouts to policyholders. At the same time, repair costs are routinely undervalued, often leaving repairers and insureds scrambling to make up the shortfall. This results in policyholders receiving inadequate settlements that fail to restore their vehicles to pre-accident condition, further eroding trust in the process. Those still paying off loans may find themselves underwater, saddled with debt for a car they can’t replace or repair. It’s a cruel calculus, designed to prioritize the insurer’s bottom line while disregarding the devastating financial impact on policyholders.
Repairers are no less affected by these tactics. Total loss declarations bypass shops entirely, reducing work opportunities for those committed to safe, proper repairs. When repairers are involved, they often face relentless pressure to use substandard parts, cut corners or accept rates that don’t reflect the true cost of repair. Insurers have weaponized these practices to pit repairers and insureds against each other, deflecting attention from the root cause of the problem: an industry driven by profit at any cost.
Why Join WIN?
WIN offers education, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to build critical skills for success in the collision repair market.
• Local/Regional Networking Events
• Annual Education Conference
• Educational Webinars
• Mentoring Opportunities
womensindustrynetwork.com
• Scholarship Program
• School Outreach Program
• Most Influential Women (MIW) Award
The tragic murder of the UnitedHealth CEO is a grotesque reflection of how deeply broken the insurance system has become. It highlights the personal toll of decisions made by claims personnel and the systemic prioritization of profits over people. Policyholders deserve more than being treated as obstacles to insurers’ financial goals. They deserve fair, timely settlements that honor the promises made to them.
Reforming this broken system requires more than regulatory oversight; it requires a cultural shift within the industry. Adjusters and claims personnel must be empowered to consider the human consequences of their decisions. State regulators must impose stricter oversight, and insurers must be held accountable for practices that harm their policyholders. Without these changes, the frustration and despair felt by so many will only grow. And while this recent tragedy has served as a wake-up call, we must act quickly to ensure no similar circumstances arise – or worse, that another copycat crime is carried out in a misguided response to the industry’s failures.
Little Red Riding Hood – When Did Doing It Right Become So Wrong?
We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood: the Big Bad Wolf, disguised as Grandma, lurking with deceptive intentions. But what if that wolf wasn’t in the woods? What if it was sitting in the office of an insurance company?
Have you noticed the evolving tactics of insurance companies? Their marketing is nothing short of brilliant – catchy slogans, warm visuals and promises that tug at your trust. But here’s the rhetorical question: would you trust these marketing slogans to protect yourself and your property, knowing how the industry operates behind the scenes? If you had to rate their service, would it pass or fail? Are these advertisements truths…or are they halftruths cloaked in comforting imagery?
At its core, an insurance policy is a promise: to protect the policyholder in their time of need and restore their property to its pre-loss condition. But is that what’s really happening? Let’s call it what it is: insurance estimates are merely opinions, constrained by KPI-driven guidelines. While insurers claim to be your ally, their actions tell a different story. These estimates are shaped by financial motivations, not consumer needs or protection, and they are sold under the guise of “helping you” while vilifying repair shops as overcharging opportunists. Sound familiar? It’s the Big Bad Wolf, warning Little Red Riding Hood to stay away from the one who actually cares about safety.
Insurance premiums have skyrocketed – rising 73 percent over the last decade, with an average annual increase of seven percent. Meanwhile, insurance companies are raking in millions, rewarded for corporate growth and cost-cutting measures that come at the expense of the consumer. So, ask yourself: are insurers living up to their promise and marketing slogans?
Instead of validating proper repair procedures, insurers invest their time in discrediting or ignoring detailed
by JERRY MCNEE
repair plans. They write estimates that align with their financial goals, not the technical requirements to ensure a safe and proper repair. These decisions aren’t made out of ignorance but as deliberate cost-containment strategies. The consumer, unfamiliar with industry complexities, is left to trust these half-truths, often to their detriment.
It’s no secret that insurers abuse their position, often harming consumers in the process. Conversations with appraisers offer a glimpse into this troubling reality.
Appraisers often admit, “I’m just doing what I’m told,” with no room for negotiation or concern for the consumer. When asked if they would trust a direct repair program shop for their own family’s repairs, their silence speaks volumes. Another appraiser revealed that his personal car, repaired at a DRP shop, now has peeling paint. A third pointed out glaring deficiencies on his company’s vehicle: mismatched headlights, improper part fits, poor color match and a hood with a blend line running straight down the center justifying it as, “It’s not my car.”
This raises critical questions: What’s wrong with this industry? Who is responsible for protecting the consumer? What measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of repairs and ensure vehicles are returned to pre-loss condition safely?
The truth is, many insurers are prioritizing profit over safety. They’ve mastered the art of appearing to protect the consumer while quietly undermining the very promises their policies were built upon. It’s time for a reckoning – a push for accountability, transparency and a commitment to restoring trust in an industry that seems to have lost its way.
As a repair expert with extensive expertise in repairs including OEM certification, it’s disheartening to see our knowledge and skills undermined by individuals with minimal qualifications. It’s like being overshadowed by a preschooler wielding a crayon, yet boldly claiming to be the so-called expert.
Shops should clearly document and communicate to consumers what repairs are necessary and why. This includes identifying any shortfalls in insurance company payouts and their potential impact on actual cash value and safety.
It’s not surprising when the appraiser purposely avoids answering your questions, especially if the questions challenge their methodology, authority or objectivity in the appraisal process.
I’ve recently asked a series of questions to an appraiser in multiple emails…would it surprise you that every question went unanswered? Were they purposely ignored as if they never existed in hopes that it would
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CONTACT: Joe Amato, Jr. Principal
World Insurance Associates 4900 Route 33, Suite 103 Neptune, NJ 07753
O: 732-530-6740 x412
joeamatojr@worldinsurance.com
Terence
terencegorman@worldinsurance.com Call or email us
x162 | M: 646-438-4959
REPAIRERS SPEAK OUT: Meet AASP/NJ’s New Board Members
AASP/NJ welcomed three new directors to its Board this past fall during its Annual Meeting. New Jersey Automotive sat down with Nick Barbera (Union Collision; Union), Todd Fontana (Proline Body & Chassis; Elmwood Park) and Dean Massimini (Autotech Collision; Sewell) to find out what brought them into the world of auto body, learn more about their businesses and discuss what each hopes to accomplish by working closer with AASP/NJ.
New Jersey Automotive: What first got you interested in a career in auto body?
Nick Barbera: I was born into the family business. When I was kid, my first job at the shop was to ride my bike to the camera place to get the photos developed for the insurance companies.
NJA: Tell us about your shop. How long have you been in business?
NB: The shop has been in business for 45 years, and I’ve been here 16 years. My parents – Kenny and Barbara –started it as a one-car garage/gas station. The business expanded substantially, and our facility now has 25 bays. We are still at the same location as we were able to expand into adjacent buildings on the same street. It’s a true family business. My brother Mike and I are both here; my parents are semi-retired, meaning instead of working 70 hours, they only work 60 hours (laughs). At one time, there were three generations here. Although he didn’t start the business, my grandfather worked here when I first started. It was pretty cool to have worked with my parents and my grandfather all at the same time.
NJA: What do you think is the biggest issue plaguing the collision repair industry right now?
NB: Changing technology. Continued advancements with ADAS and EVs and trying to keep up with the procedures involved.
NJA: What is your favorite part of the job, and what is your least favorite?
NB: My favorite part is interacting with the customers, and my least favorite part is interacting with the customers (laughter). I enjoy helping people with their issues and finding solutions for them – but that can also be my least favorite part. There are good experiences. Just yesterday, the very first customer I ever remember helping 16 years ago came in and asked for me by name. It’s so cool to see this customer still coming back to me all these years later.
NJA: When did you get involved with AASP/NJ, and why?
NB: I first got involved about six years ago because I was looking to make connections in the industry in order to gain more knowledge about the repair process.
NJA: What issues do you hope to see the association address? And what do you hope to contribute as a Board member?
NB: I’d really like to see the association grow, expand and get more members. I’ve heard a lot of stories about how the association was back in the 1990s, and I’d like to see it regain that type of strength.
NJA: What is life like outside the body shop? Any hobbies you’d like to share?
NB: I have three kids who are all very active in sports, so if I’m not at the shop, I’m driving my kids to and from basketball, baseball and soccer. When I get home at night, I do supplements. Can supplements be a hobby (laughs)?
My mind is pretty much on work. I think about work on the way to the shop and on the way home from the shop. I have a Type A personality. Whenever I have time, I try to invest it in work-related things like keeping up with I-CAR or reading industry publications so I can stay on top of things. I listen to industry podcasts too. I’m learning that I’m not the ’only one.’ I recall reading an article in New Jersey Automotive about retired AASP/NJ leader Eddie Day, who said his wife brought him Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at the shop. I’ve heard Collision Chairman Jerry McNee say he’ll put in a full day at the shop, go home and help out with the family and then go back to the shop to work on a car or do paperwork. Hearing others talk about that makes me feel better when I feel overwhelmed or overworked.
I also owe a lot to the industry, I met my wife 13 years ago at the shop. We fixed her 2004 Honda Civic and the rest is history. She is a big part of this and supports the time and passion that I put into the business.
Nick Barbera (Union Collision)
Nick Barbera (Union Collision)
NJA: What keeps you inspired?
NB: I like the new and changing technology with ADAS and EVs which keeps us on our toes. We have to evolve to make sure we stay relevant because if we don’t, we’ll be out of business. It keeps me engaged and inspired to get ahead of the curve.
Todd Fontana
(Proline Chassis & Body)
New Jersey Automotive: What led you to the world of collision repair?
Todd Fontana: I just always loved cars. Since I was a kid, I was into all kinds of cars.
NJA: Do you have a favorite car?
TF: Back then, it was a Porsche 911. Now, I have a ‘67 Corvette, a ‘69 Camaro and a ‘71 Firebird.
NJA: How long have you worked in the industry, and what led you to open your own shop?
TF: I started working for a body shop back in 1987. One day, the boss asked me if I wanted to learn how to paint cars, and I thought that would be the coolest thing ever. I stayed on as his painter for about 12 years, and then I found myself wanting to learn all aspects of the business. I had a dream that someday I would own my own shop, but I knew I needed to learn more about it. I went from being a painter to learning body and structural. I landed a job as a production manager and went into estimating. In 2000, I had the opportunity to go into business for myself, so I decided to risk it and see what I could do. I found an empty building and just started from scratch.
NJA: What would you say are the biggest challenges that collision repair shop owners face?
TF: It’s finding good help. There’s fewer and fewer of the older, more skilled technicians, so we’re finding we have to hire younger people who don’t have as much experience, train them and turn them into technicians. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be hard when you’re busy and don’t have the time for it.
by ALANA QUARTUCCIO
NJA: When did you first join AASP/NJ?
TF: I became a member of the association the day I bought my shop. So, it’s been over 24 years now.
NJA: What do you hope to see AASP/NJ focus on the most?
TF: I’d love to see shops work together more. We all share a lot of the same problems, so it’d be nice to come together, talk it out with others and get on the same page.
NJA: You sound like quite the car enthusiast. Do you have any related hobbies or other interests to share?
TF: I raced cars for the last 20 years or so. For the last seven years, I raced at the professional level. I’ve raced all over the East Coast, and I’ve been as far west as Indianapolis. I’ve gone from Michigan to Florida and everywhere in between. In my career, my crew and I have won International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) championships. We’ve won National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events and Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) in all different sanctioned bodies. We’ve set records in classes. My class was a pro-modified car that raced in a class called pro-nitrous. But I’ve given it all up, and now I enjoy fishing. I went out and bought a boat and fishing pole.
NJA: What do you think you’d get from this industry that you know you wouldn’t have gotten if you had picked another career?
TF: I’ve gotten a lot out of this industry. In the beginning, when I first started my business, I felt that I had the knowledge of fixing cars, but I was not a businessman, and I was forced to learn that right away. The best advice somebody gave me was to surround myself with smart people.
And I did that, and I’ve had consultants throughout my whole career. I owe them a lot. They’ve definitely taught me a ton.
NJA: Since you’re such a car connoisseur, do you have a favorite car you like to work on or a favorite job that you like to do?
TF: I’m a hands-on guy. I like to refer to myself as the undercover boss. I’m happy to be out in the shop, assisting the guys. I’ll take on a project and do everything from welding a car together to painting; I’ll even wash a car. It doesn’t matter to me. If you came into my shop, you wouldn’t know that I was the owner.
Todd Fontana (Proline Chassis & Body)
continued from pg. 15
Dean Massimini (Autotech Collision)
New Jersey Automotive: How did you get your start in the auto body world?
Dean Massimini: When I was a kid, my brother owned a shop. Shortly before I was old enough to drive, like 15 or 16 years old, he started bringing me to his shop on Saturdays to help out.
NJA: So, is that what inspired you to get into your business? Tell us how that got started.
DM: After working for my brother for enough time, I wanted to see what I could do on my own. I wound up originally opening up a shop at a dealership in Woodbury on April Fools Day in 1990 shortly before my son Dean was born. I stayed at that dealership for about three years. Right around the time, my second child was born, and that was when I realized it wasn’t a great environment; I knew it wasn’t going to be a long-term scenario, so I began to look around, and that’s what got me to where I am right now.
NJA: What would you say makes your shop stand out among the rest?
DM: It may sound kind of cliché , but it’s really the customer service that we offer. The things we do and the time we spend with our customers – nobody does what we do. We help them file diminished value claims and settle total losses. It’s not just about being good at fixing cars. We aim to help them through so many things. The insurance companies they pay a premium to don’t give them good information. We want to be an educational resource for them and go out of our way to really help people through the process.
NJA: You’ve been quite involved with the industry by taking part in 20 Groups and national groups like the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and you’ve been very active with AASP/NJ over the past few years. What made you decide to become a Board member?
DM: I hung out on the sidelines for a little while and then decided to step in.
NJA: What do you think is the biggest issue plaguing the collision repair industry right now?
DM: It’s insurer interference. They’re just running wild, and I feel like they are basically getting away with murder. They seem to be able to do whatever they want with no repercussions. Insurance companies are not anyone’s friend, and they’re not anyone’s good neighbor. Nobody’s in good hands with them.
NJA: What do you hope to contribute as an AASP/NJ Board member?
DM: I want to do anything I can contribute to advancing consumer rights, anything that gets customers treated fairly and puts them back in control of their own destiny when it comes to their choices.
NJA: What do you like most about the auto body world?
DM: I do enjoy repairing cars. I found it very rewarding to take a wrecked car and fix it, paint it and put it all back together. I don’t do that anymore, but I’m still involved in all the aspects of the business. Now my sons work for me, so I enjoy having a family business. I also enjoy the customer interactions, getting to know and meet different people and get reviews when they’re happy with the repair.
NJA: So, what is life like outside the body shop?
DM: In the past, I used to love playing volleyball, but I’m getting kind of old for that. I’ve coached the sport, and at one time, we had an Autotech Collision volleyball team. My boys still play, but I enjoy boating, fishing, crabbing and anything that involves the sun and water. I love jet skis and walking the dog. I love the beach, the shore and the bay. And eating. I don’t know if I would call myself a foodie, but my wife is a great cook, and we definitely like to eat.
NJA: What keeps you going in this industry?
DM: Just continuing on the family business. Both my sons – Dean Jr. and Dan – work in the business. Dean is involved with estimating and parts, while Dan does our accounting and customer service at the front desk, greeting all the customers. We jokingly say my wife is involved as head of security (laughs).
Dean Massimini (Autotech Collision)
The Car Doctor Returns to WOR Radio
Some things are just written in the stars.
That’s the way it’s always been for AASP/NJ Hall of Famer and former Mechanical Chairman Ron Ananian and his life on the radio as “The Car Doctor.” For thirty-plus years, motorists all around the country (and the world by way of podcasts and streaming) have been relying on Ananian for his enlightening car ownership advice and tales. Now, the nationally-syndicated show is making a long-awaited return to the New York market via WOR 710 AM, a clearchannel New York City radio station known for its talk radio programs.
Ananian never went looking for a career in radio. A tinkerer since he was a young boy, his career as an automotive mechanic was clearly a no-brainer. “I would take something apart, put it back together and then read the manual,” he says of his natural ability for the art of fixing things, which he gets from his father, “an old school mechanic” who gave him his “mechanical curiosity.”
He recalls those early days as a seven or eight year old sitting on the fender of his father’s car. “He’d say, ‘Ronnie, get me that wrench.’ I knew the numbers. I didn’t know what they meant, but I knew what a half-inch was.”
That early interest in mechanics would lead Ananian to open R/A Automotive (Waldwick) in 1978. His
shop has earned multiple accolades over the years including AASP/NJ’s New Jersey Automotive/Mechanical Shop of the Year. For 46 years and counting, his business continues to provide vehicle owners with “quality, honest work with a smile” as per his company’s motto.
He admits that “never in my wildest dreams” did he imagine life on the radio. He already had a busy life with his shop, teaching mechanics how to fix cars and selling diagnostic equipment, but when a student and fellow shop owner asked Ananian to join him on the airwaves to lend his knowledge for an infomercial, he took the opportunity because “life is about the adventure.”
That small start on WFAS out of White Plains, New York – at a station so tiny “you’d have to step outside the control room to change your mind; it was just that small” – led to big things. When the advertising budget ran out, Ananian thought his radio career was over, but as chance would have it, the station liked the show so much they offered to make it a regular show, giving it the moniker of “The Car Doctor.” The show “took on a life of its own,” staying on the air at WFAS for six and a half years.
When the show’s reign at WFAS ended, he once again thought his radio days were over, but as fate would have it, “The Car Doctor” was only just about to get started.
He found himself with an interest in continuing a life on the radio with aspirations to hear himself on WOR. As if someone somewhere were listening, the right people just happened to come into his life at the right time, opening the doors for Ananian to get to his goal. For starters, the mother of his daughter’s childhood friend wound up being a big name in New York radio and helped open some doors, and a chance meeting in a bagel shop with the marketing director for Castrol North America, paved the way!
Had his wife not thrown out his tattered raincoat, Ananian would not have been wearing a Castrol jacket in the bagel shop on that fateful Saturday morning, which led to a conversation with the man who just happened to comment, “You should be on radio” in response to hearing Ananian’s knowledge about the product. That discourse led to many more, resulting in Castrol investing in “The Car Doctor” on WOR, leading the show to become a quick success which resulted in syndication in hundreds of markets.
Over the years, Ananian has felt, “It’s God’s radio show because you can’t line all this up. It’s just all clicked into place. Everything just clicked into place one thing after the next.”
The show’s life on WOR would meet its fate due to corporate changeover with iHeart Radio in
AASP/NJ Hall of Famer and former Mechanical Chairman Ron Ananian
2012, but the show has lived on as Ananian has continued to broadcast from rented studio space and since 2014, via his own at-home studio. Over the years, the show has continued to grow in affiliation most recently through the efforts of Talk Media Network. It’s currently syndicated in 187 markets but none within the proximity of New York City. Now fate has stepped in once again. He’s been asked to return to WOR!
The week before Christmas, Ananian received a phone call from the assistant program director of WOR Radio 710 in New York City. He thought the caller was in need of automotive advice but it turned out to be something very different and unexpected – it was an invitation to return to the New York airwaves. “He told me, ‘We know you’ll make the phones ring off the hook.”
After all these years and no matter where he’s broadcast from, “The Car Doctor” has only been focused
on “talking about the industry and delivering the message. I don’t do it for work at the shop or to promote the shop. One caller asked about bringing the car to my shop, and I said ‘I won’t tell you that. If you want me, you have to find me. I’m here to answer your questions about what is a proper repair.’ I know there’s a need for this – whether it’s educating the public or helping those who work on cars.”
He’s excited to be back on WOR and looks forward to taking the ride and seeing where it leads. That’s the way it’s always been.
“That’s the universe. Throw out a raincoat, wear the Castrol jacket. I go places and meet people.”
Ananian has learned to expect the unexpected. “Never in a million years did I think I’d be back in the New York market. I get to go home again.”
Learn more about where to hear Ananian’s show by visiting cardoctorshow.com
by ALANA QUARTUCCIO
A Note from Ron
It is both a thrill and an honor to sit down once again with New Jersey Automotive and discuss The Car Doctor. However, no conversation about its origins would be complete without mentioning the following: In 1987, New Jersey Automotive Publisher Tom Greco, a name we all know, came to the shop to interview me. During that conversation, Tom offered me my first opportunity to write a column for New Jersey Automotive – some may remember it as “No Brakes.”
The day-to-day operations and challenges of the time were covered over the next decade or so. As time passed, all things eventually came to an end, and I moved on.
However, I never forgot Tom and his generous offer, which - for the record - helped me reach further than I ever thought possible. It must have been his prophetic words that day: “If we can get you to write like you talk, there’s no telling how far you can go!”
Thank you, Tom.
NJA
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FishingRefundfor Insurers:
Shops Speak Out on Wilber Group’s Collections Horse Play
Imagine: A wife goes to the store and purchases a gallon of milk. She pays the bill and goes home, but weeks later, her husband – who never does the grocery shopping and has no clue what amount is reasonable to pay – writes to the store to demand a partial refund and insists his wife overpaid. Seems pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it?
Yet, the absurdity of a similar situation is less laughable. For the past several years, shops across the country have been receiving communications from the Wilber Group, demanding partial reimbursement for invoices paid to those repair facilities by insurers on behalf of their policyholders. Thus far, the majority of these communications appear to have been made on behalf of Safeco Insurance, a trademark of Liberty Mutual.
The onslaught begins with a letter stating, “We are now handling this claim on behalf of Safeco Insurance. Our client is seeking reimbursement from you as a result of the incident which occurred on the claim date listed below. Your cooperation is required to reach a complete resolution.” The Wilber Group then follows up with calls and emails, purportedly with the intent of intimidating shops to acquiesce to their demands for this so-called “reimbursement.”
“Before I ever heard of the Wilber Group, I started getting letters from them regarding these charges I ‘owed’ without any explanations or justifications,” recounts Jerry
McNee (Ultimate Collision Repair; Edison). “Then, they followed up with letters claiming the insurer paid ‘under duress’ – despite the fact that we had negotiated all charges with the carrier before they paid our bill! And this all began months after the services provided were completed and paid for!”
Although Ken Miller (821 Collision; North Haledon) is always willing to work collaboratively with his clients, he did not provide a discount on the services rendered, and he has received similar correspondence from the Wilber Group. “Basically, a vehicle comes into the shop and is either repaired or deemed a total loss. The insurer makes the payment and then hires the Wilber Group to contact the shop months later, insisting that they overpaid for the claim, both in rates and labor time; Wilber’s representative even claimed it was improper to charge for storage prior to the insurer rendering the vehicle a total loss. Prior to paying the invoice, I don’t believe the insurer ever notified the vehicle owner or shop of the specific disputed amount, and we have yet to receive an explanation or breakdown of the amount demanded for reimbursement.”
But Wilber isn’t just honing in on Garden State collision repair shops. Last September, Robert Grieve (Nylund’s Collision Center; Englewood, CO) vented about a total loss that remained in his shop for an entire year during a two-part installment of his popular YouTube series, Airing
of GRIEVEances. A customer’s car brought to Nylund’s was deemed a total loss after writing a thorough repair plan, but the insurer disagreed that it was a total loss and insisted it was repairable, so the consumer – advised of this policy protection by Grieve – invoked the Appraisal Clause. Unhappy with the guest invoking that process, the carrier continued to drag their feet for over a year, passing the claim off to multiple adjusters and accumulating a total bill of $30,000.
During a phone call with a supervisor for the carrier, Grieve was offered $12,900 and ultimately agreed to “split it,” accepting $15,000. The claim was approved by the manager, and the supervisor agreed that the negotiation was “incredibly fair” in the recording played on the episode. Then, the other shoe dropped six months later when Grieve received an email from the Wilber Group, claiming reasonable charges would be $3,610 and requesting payment of $11,390.
All three shop owners received emails from a “recovery specialist” employed by the Wilber Group; these form letters were identical other than the differing amounts and read, “We are now handling this recovery matter for our client regarding the advanced charges they paid to your company. Our client paid your invoice, under duress, to expedite resolution of the claim with their customer. However, our client determined that the reasonable and customary charges that would be owed in your area would be $xx. We are requesting payment from your company in the amount of $xx, which is the difference between what your company charged and what our client determined was reasonable and customary.”
This wasn’t Grieve’s first rodeo with Wilber; he started receiving letters from them early last year. After receiving their standardized email request this time, he responded with his own form letter…and a little extra flare. In addition to asking questions about how “reasonable and customary” was determined and how the demands could be justified as “collections,” he referenced the recorded conversation in which the insurer’s supervisor agreed to the charges and informed Wilber, “Given that we have a previously recorded agreement with Liberty Mutual in which we reduced our legally owed charges by half in a good faith effort to work with your client, not only do we not owe $11,390, but we are now requesting to be paid for our charges in full which were $30,000, plus another $500 administrative cost because I am spending time relitigating this after receiving your letter.”
“I recorded that phone call because I knew there was potential for this to happen,” Grieve reports. “It seems unfathomable that they would want their money back, but if they want to play, let’s play – now, I want the whole amount I was rightfully owed in the first place.” Not surprisingly,
Grieve hasn’t heard anything else on the matter since his rebuttal to Wilber’s email.
His experience seems to be par for the course. “In all of my communications with them, they never once responded back to any questions about what the bill is for,” McNee shares. “They just send it to us, and when we reach out, we never get a response, but the notifications keep coming.”
Miller believes these actions are dishonest at best. He engaged the services of his attorney, who responded to Wilber’s email: “The assertions and demand for payment issued to 821 Collision are frivolous and entirely without merit…The amounts invoiced by 821 Collision to its contract counterparty [customer] are entirely reasonable, consistent with industry standards and have been paid without issue by Wausau and other insurers in similar cases. 821 Collision will not accept what Wausau unilaterally deems ‘reasonable and customary charges.’” The attorney also suggested, “Wausau may wish to review New Jersey law governing this claim. Specifically, the New Jersey Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (UCSPA), N.J.S.A. § 17:29B does not support Wausau’s position.”
Although Wilber’s website identifies them as “one of the nation’s top and most innovative subrogation recovery law firms” that “specializes in recovering funds from atfault parties,” evidence of their knowledge of the collision repair industry seems to be absent.
New Jersey Automotive reached out for clarification on the company’s role and experience. We asked:
• Wilber Group identifies itself as a “subrogation recovery” firm, but subrogation typically indicates a collection of debt owed or an insurer’s right to request reimbursement from an at-fault party. In the instance of seeking reimbursement from collision repair shops, these facilities are neither a debtor that owes money to the insurer nor are they an at-fault party, so how do these situations fall under the category of “subrogation?”
• The shops we spoke with indicated that their invoices were paid after negotiations with the insurer in question, yet Wilber’s demands for payment claim that these invoices were paid “under duress.” Why did they pay the invoice without indicating that they were doing so under duress, only to seek reimbursement six months later?
• In reference to the claim that the recoveries were for “advanced charges,” these invoices were submitted and paid for services already rendered. Please explain why these are considered “advanced charges.”
Fasten your seatbelts! It’s time to get in gear and rev on over to AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® 2025 Automotive Services Show – happening March 14-16 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Automotive professionals make their way to the Garden State every March because NORTHEAST offers an elite educational slate, a first look at the latest tools and equipment and so much more. It is the go-to destination.
With all the changes constantly coming into play in this industry, NORTHEAST is the pathway to preparing for a solid future. An exceptional educational slate (sponsored by AirPro Diagnostics) promises to deliver just that. Industry rockstars like David Luehr (Elite Body Shop Solutions), Mike Anderson (Collision Advice), Aaron Schulenburg (Society of Collision Repair Specialists) and many more are slated to headline the roster of offerings. It will all begin with a pre-show workshop on Thursday, March 13 with Luehr who will present “Fundamentals of Operational Success.” The NORTHEAST educational schedule will officially get underway on Friday, March 14.
Anderson is teaming up with Craig Stevens of CCC Intelligent Solutions to offer an exclusive, in-depth, one-day workshop –“Unleashing the Full Power of CCC ONE” – to kick off the NORTHEAST weekend on Friday, March 14 from 8am to 5pm.
According to Stevens, the course “was born out of the understanding that more and more of our customers around the country enjoy these types of sessions. It gives them the ability to sit in a room with others like them, interact with Mike Anderson, who’s always a big draw, and ask questions about the product.”
The all-day session will dig deep into all there is to offer in CCC ONE, giving users access to tools and features they might not know about. “Simply put, we want to help users make the most of their investment in CCC ONE.”
Another huge benefit is that users will have the opportunity to focus, ask
by ALANA
questions and truly get the most out of the experience without all the distractions of the day to day when they are in the shop. “Identifying the people within your organization who may benefit most from it is number one in terms of preparation,” he recommends regarding who shop owners should consider signing up.
It’s key to come prepared to get the most out of the experience. “It’s something very tactical, very nuts and bolts, but make sure you have your username and password. You will be able to log in to your CCC ONE during the session to show us any challenges you may be encountering. Coming prepared will just make the experience go much smoother and faster.”
A native of New Jersey, Stevens is excited to present at NORTHEAST. “I came up through the industry in New Jersey, and I know and have worked with a lot of these people for many, many years. Ken Miller and I have been working together for a number of years before he became president and Jerry McNee before him. On a personal aspect, I feel indebted to New Jersey, and I always enjoy being in the room with my fellow brethren.”
He also enjoys helping customers be successful. “That’s what we want our products to do for them, and that is what we want this forum to do for them – to allow our customers to sit, talk and ask questions. They’ll get to hear from Mike and from us on how to make things work. It’s a pretty cool experience.”
Technology is advancing at lightning speed and has made terms like ADAS, artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EVs) common utterances in the automotive and collision repair space.
Taylor Moss of OEC will set out to address how shop owners can view AI from a theoretical and practical standpoint with “Using AI Tools to Support Your Collision Repair Operations” on Saturday, March 15.
According to Moss, there are AI tools available that can be applied to one’s
from pg. 29
business, whether it’s in customer acquisition or in helping people make the best use of their time.
“I like to call it supercharging your people or giving your people superpowers to do their job because we all know that it can be frantic in the body shop. People can be expected to do so much that it’s impossible for them to give proper attention to everything that they’re expected to do on a daily basis.”
People shouldn’t look at AI as something that will take their jobs away, says Moss. They need to see how these tools can give them a chance to do a better job by taking away some of the busy work that doesn’t actually add value to what they do but is part of their job.
“There’s a ton of energy and great attendance at NORTHEAST,” Moss says of his past experiences with the show. The people he has interacted with “want to learn and get better; they have a great attitude about the business and a positive outlook on different things.” He hopes attendees will walk away from his discussion with new-found knowledge on how to implement AI tools into their businesses and gain value as a result.
Preparing for the future in collision repair is one thing, but one must also be ready for their post-shop afterlife. Laura Gay (Consolidation Coach) and Matt DiFrancesco (High Lift Financial) will walk repair professionals through the process of “How to Create and Achieve Your Post Shop Life” on March 14.
Attendees will walk away from the discussion with a clear mindset of how to plan for their exit and what that process can look like. “It might be a 90-day journey, or it might be a 10-year one,” suggests Gay. “People need to start thinking about this now, so they are not hit in the head with it by not being prepared and knowledgeable.”
“Many shop owners may get to the point where they think about the next chapter in their life, but they find they don’t have a clue about how to navigate it,” adds DiFrancesco. “We will look to arm them with some information to help guide them onto that journey, into that next phase of their life.”
Both suggest coming to the class with an open mind
continued on pg. 32
FRIDAY, MARCH 14 SHOW HOURS 5pm - 10pm
5:30pm
8am - 4pm
UNLEASHING THE FULL POWER OF CCC ONE
Mike Anderson (Collision Advice)
Craig Stevens (CCC Intelligent Solutions)
5:30pm
Small Shops, Big Leaps: Leveraging Technology to Compete with Industry Giants
Brian Evces (AirPro Diagnostics)
Navigating the Collision Industry Today: Insights from SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg Aaron Schulenburg (SCRS)
7:30pm
How to Create and Achieve Your Post Shop Life
Laura Gay (Consolidation Coach) & Matt DiFrancesco (High Lift Financial)
7:30pm
The Importance of Wheel Alignment in ADAS Recalibration for Collision Centers
Chris Sobieski (Snap-on Equipment)
SATURDAY, MARCH 15 SHOW HOURS 10am - 5pm
8am
I-CAR Latest Technology & Trends I-CAR Industry Experts
8am
Estimating Tips & Tricks
Ben Stephens (Matthew’s Auto Supplies)
10am
ADAS PANEL DISCUSSION:
Exploring ADAS Trends in 2025 & Beyond Panelists: Josh McFarlin (AirPro Diagnostics), Tommy Ames (1Source ADAS), Greg Peeters (Car ADAS Solutions), Joffrey Starcher (TEXA), Steve Dawson (Hunter Engineering) Moderated by Liz Stein (Certified Collision Group)
12pm REV UP Your Business!
Dave Luehr (Elite Body Shop Solutions)
2pm
OEM PANEL DISCUSSION: Driving the Future of Repairs Panelists: Kelli Doherty (GM), Ken Park (Volvo), Dave Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment) Moderated by Liz Stein (Certified Collision Group)
4pm
Using AI Tools to Support Your Collision Repair Operations
Taylor Moss (OEC)
SUNDAY, MARCH 16 SHOW HOURS 10am - 3pm
9am
Stay Humble, Stay Hungry Mike Anderson (Collision Advice)
11am
The Art of Leadership: Balancing People, Process & Profits Jim Saeli (DRIVE)
and
THURSDAY, MARCH 14 (PRE-SHOW)
9am-3pm
Fundamentals of Operational Success Workshop Dave Luehr (Elite Body Shop Solutions)
3:30-6:30pm
OEC Presents: 2025 Certified Sips & Solutions Hosted by OEC and OEM Partners
and being ready to learn.
Prepare to “listen a little and think a lot,” advises DiFrancesco.
“It’s a huge life change,” offers Gay. “You want to make the right decisions and changes because once it’s done, it’s done. You can’t back the bus up.”
Also on March 14, attendees can get the latest on the SCRS blend study as Schulenburg will be on hand to review how conclusions made way for the information providers to conduct their own research, the results of those outcomes and changes to their systems and how that response can provide opportunities to document variations in the refinish process.
Luehr will return on Saturday, March 15 to present “REV UP Your Business” where he plans to share the secrets of the world’s best body shops while helping repair professionals build a strategy to take advantage of the incredible opportunities coming their way.
Of course, NORTHEAST offerings go above and beyond education as show-goers will have the opportunity to visit hundreds of booths along the aisles
of the MEC, take part in the BodyShop Bowl competition for a chance to win prizes, meet celebrities and more!
“A new year is here, and with that comes new ideas and solutions,” states AASP/NJ Ken Miller. “NORTHEAST 2025 is where the industry gathers to obtain the newest information available on some of its most crucial concerns. We all know this industry isn’t getting easier, so the only way to truly thrive is to stay informed. What better way to do that than at NORTHEAST where one can get insights from an array of industry experts.”
Registration for the tradeshow and the educational courses are now open at aaspnjnortheast.com
*All scheduled and anticipated seminars and events are subject to change.
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continued from pg. 12
go away, or was it ignorance by deception, as this hadn’t gone unnoticed by our client?
Accountability:
By not addressing the questions, the appraiser may hope to sidestep scrutiny or avoid admitting fault or a lack of expertise.
Ignorance by Design:
Appraisers or representatives might intentionally ignore difficult questions, expecting the issue to be overlooked or dropped. This can be a tactic to maintain control or avoid addressing shortcomings in their assessment.
Inadequate Knowledge:
The appraiser won’t respond accurately, especially if your
questions highlight gaps in their expertise or understanding of procedures and industry standards.
Bias Toward the Insurer:
In some cases, appraisers may intentionally evade questions that could weaken their position or reveal bias in favor of the insurance company.
The lack of response could be strategic, but that doesn’t mean it should go unchallenged. By documenting the issue and pursuing appropriate channels, you can ensure the appraiser is held accountable for their role in the process
Who Is the Expert?
The repair expert (the shop following all guidelines) should always be regarded as the authority on what repairs are needed – not the “so-called expert” employed by the insurance company to minimize costs. So, what measures are you taking to protect the consumer? After all, it’s your liability in the event something goes wrong. What have you done yesterday or today or what will you do tomorrow when the insurance company ignores scrutiny and short pays the repair? Who is responsible? Who will pick up the shortage? Who’s the expert?
The repair expert or the “socalled expert”? Insurance policies aren’t based on HMOs. This is not the medical field. Nowhere in the policy does it claim an out-of-pocket expense other than a deductible, so how are they getting away with it? Does the industry understand what “pre-loss condition” means?
Push for better consumer education so they understand their rights and the risks of inadequate repairs. After all, you’re the repair expert. Get involved with your local associations, join a 20 group, educate yourself and become part of the solution.
Little Red Riding Hood trusted the wolf dressed as Grandma, only to discover the truth too late. We need to stop trusting the Big Bad Wolf before we’re eaten alive.
continued from pg. 25
• In several instances, shops were informed that the client indicated the amount paid differed from what they found to be “reasonable and customary” charges in that market. What determination is used to identify what is “reasonable and customary?”
• Can you please clarify what experience/knowledge the Wilber Group has related to the collision repair industry, its need to provide safe and proper repairs for vehicle owners and the amount that those repairs should cost?
At the time of publication, no response has been received.
“Wilber is merely a third-party middleman focused solely on collection efforts with no real understanding of our industry; they lack any understanding of the situation or the negotiations involved and are incapable of answering questions or providing clarity,” McNee says. “They act as administrators, following the insurer’s instructions without providing any valid justification. It’s outrageous that an insurer can negotiate a claim, willingly pay it and then later claim they were under duress – despite showing no signs or mention of it during the negotiation or the payment process. Conducting business this way feels inherently unfair and unprofessional.
“Why even bother negotiating in the first place?” he asks. “If the insurance company and Wilber were acting professionally, these notices should be directed to their policyholders. After all, neither the insurer nor Wilber has any contractual agreement with the repair shop – their agreement is solely with the policyholder. Instead of unfairly targeting the shop, they should address their demands to the person bound by the policy. Throwing a hundred darts at the wall to see what sticks hides transparency from the general public. Let them direct these demands to the policyholders and face the inevitable backlash from consumers.”
“This is essentially an attempt by the insurer to get shops to reimburse them for items like storage and associated fees that they believe should cost less,” Miller suggests. “Then, Wilber proceeds to act like a collection agency, sending notices and even threatening lawsuits.”
But shops should not be intimidated by these unjust and unethical bullying tactics, Grieve insists. “This insurer seems to be operating in bad faith and cannot be trusted. It’s hard to believe that a reputable company would negotiate a claim and go back on their word, but that simply leads to the conclusion that they aren’t so reputable,” he indicates. “But honestly, the insurance carrier doesn’t owe me a thing; they owe their policyholder, my guest. That’s why it’s imperative that shops have an
ironclad repair authorization with every guest. Although I never want to sue a guest for payment, I will if necessary… but the insurer doesn’t want that. When I suggested that on a phone call with Wilber, their representative was quick to tell me there was no reason to involve the vehicle owner.”
Grieve consistently responds to Wilber’s “collections” attempts by refusing to pay the amount they request, and they simply “go away. They have yet to try to pursue these matters in court. Of course, they may change course, but I think they’re just trying to rattle some cages and see if anything falls out. It’s a gigantic fishing scheme – they bait and cast the hook, and if they get a bite, great. If not, they go home hungry. Send them home hungry!”
A shop that receives its first notice from Wilber may be shaken, but before sending the reimbursement requested to make the situation go away, Grieve recommends taking a breath. “Don’t be afraid. It’s easy to panic; I might get nervous if I wasn’t confident in what I do and how I do it, but I know who I’ve contracted with, and it isn’t the insurer; I don’t owe them anything, just like they don’t owe me anything.”
The first step to being prepared for this type of situation begins before ever receiving correspondence from Wilber or any similar agency. “Having a solid work authorization signed by your guest gives you a lot of leverage,” Grieve stresses. “Consult with your lawyer to make sure your repair agreement is ironclad, and ask them about this type of situation in advance. It’s always ideal if you’re prepared ahead of time; you’ll be less anxious if this type of thing actually happens to you. And don’t believe it can’t happen to you because it can.”
When a shop does receive this type of correspondence, Grieve advises shops to contact legal counsel to make sure they understand what their state and local laws allow and whether these activities are supported. “Know what you can and cannot charge for. Be confident about who your contract is with. If the insurer doesn’t owe you and you don’t owe them, how can they come after you for an amount you charged and they paid? You had an agreement which was satisfied, and now they want their money back…how does that make sense? People get wigged out because these requests are coming from a ‘recovery agency,’ but submitting that reimbursement they request is just setting a precedent and emboldening the parties behind this situation. Mind your business, the business of doing the right thing, and stand firm in your convictions.”
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Dillon Rinkens - East Brunswick Auto (732) 254-6501 / ebautonj@comcast.net
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2nd Vice President - Mike Ronayne Tilghmans Auto Parts (609) 723-7469 / tilghmans@snip.net
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The Automotive Recyclers Association of New Jersey
Wharton Insurance Briefs
Prevent cold weather injuries by staying warm. Staying warm can prevent hypothermia. This occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Here are a few tips to prevent hypothermia:
• Wear a hat or other protective covering. This will prevent heat loss from your head.
• Wear a scarf and mittens instead of gloves. Mittens keep your fingers together and help keep them warmer.
• Minimize activities that cause you to sweat. Wet clothes in cold weather can cause you to lose heat faster.
• Dress in layers of loose fitting and light-weight clothing. Polypropylene holds heat better than cotton and wicks the moisture away from your body.
• Stay dry and get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. Remember that normal body temperature is 98.6 F, and hypothermia can occur as the body core temperature drops below 95 F. Stay warm and healthy.
Mario DeFilippis AAI Vice President Wharton Insurance Group
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
Precise and Non-Destructive Aluminum Repairs With RAE’s AluRepair VISAR 3-in-1 System
The AluRepair VISAR is a globally unique, high-performance 3-in-1 system with OEM approvals from leading brands like Porsche and Audi, to name a few. It enables repairers to deliver faster, cleaner, and more efficient repair solutions than ever before. Designed specifically to address the unique challenges of aluminum repair, the AluRepair VISAR system can be used to weld aluminum bits as well as threaded, ground and device carrier studs up to 12mm. The system can also set special pull-out studs for rapid removal of selfpierce rivets in conjunction with XPress 800 BR50 Pulling Adapters.
Repairers working on multi-material design (MMD) vehicles will note increased efficiency. Aluminum repairs demand exacting standards due to metals’ sensitivity to heat and structural integrity. The VISAR system utilizes advanced calibration and measurement tools to ensure every repair meets manufacturer specifications, reducing
instances of compromised safety or performance.
The AluRepair VISAR system is also designed with sustainability in mind. By minimizing material waste and energy consumption, the AluRepair VISAR system supports environmentally responsible practices, aligning with the growing demand for green solutions in the auto repair industry.
The AluRepair VISAR system uses innovative techniques, including highstrength bonding and welding, to deliver repairs that are both visually seamless and structurally robust. This ensures customer satisfaction and further enhances your facility’s reputation for excellence throughout the entire repair process. Its reliability, accuracy and efficiency make it a sound investment and essential tool for businesses wanting to confidently handle aluminum repairs and deliver outstanding results.
To learn more about the AluRepair VISAR System or to view Reliable
Automotive Equipment’s full offering of products, services and support, visit raeservice.com.
AluRepair VISAR 3-in-1 system provides innovative, precise repair solutions for any repair
