Contents SEPTEMBER 2024
A NEW ERA: ABAT Bleeds Red, White and Blue
Chasidy Rae Sisk
of
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Burl Richards Back to Basics: What’s Next for ABAT?
ABAT MEMBER APPLICATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE by Jill Tuggle Having Fun Doing It!
LADIES OF COLLISION by Alana Quartuccio Carrie Coppi, Hub City Body Shop, Lubbock
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT by Alana Quartuccio
1 Source ADAS Reshaping the Way for ADAS Calibrations
ASK THE EXPERT by Robert L. McDorman Carriers Wrongfully Reducing Settlement by the Salvage Value is Happening Everywhere
Bobby Beason DeMontrond Collision Center bobby.beason@demontrond.com (936) 577-2747
Larry Cernosek Deer Park Paint & Body lcwrecker@comcast.net (281) 930-1539
Kevin Ellison Westway Ford kellison@vtaig.com (972) 584-9033
Brandon Gillespy Park Place BodyWerks bgillespy@parkplace.com 214-443-8250
Chad Kiffe Berli's Body & Fine Finishes chadk@berlisbody.com (512) 251-6136
Greg Luther Helfman Collision gluther@helfman.com (713) 574-5060
Chad Neal Innovative Collision Equipment Chadwneal@yahoo.com (817)
&
manuelr@miraclebp.com (210) 843-9564 Albert Salinas South Houston Nissan asalinas@southhoustonnissan.com 833-856-7871
Darrell Smith McDaniel’s Quality Body Works Inc darrell-mcdaniels@sbcglobal.net (903) 753-5391
Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110
Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com
VICE PRESIDENT/SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Alana Quartuccio / alana@grecopublishing.com
SR. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Chasidy Rae Sisk / chasidy@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco / joe@grecopublishing.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Burl Richards / Jill Tuggle
Robert L. McDorman / Mike Anderson / Jacquelyn Bauman
www.grecopublishing.com
President’s Message
Back to Basics: What’s Next for ABAT?
NNow that ABAT’s 2024 Texas Auto Body Trade Show has successfully concluded, you may be wondering what the association has planned for the rest of the year. If you don’t know ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle, our Board of Directors or me very well, you may suspect that little will happen over the last months of the year as we rest on our laurels after the association’s largest annual event…but if you’ve actually met any of us, you’ll know there’s not a chance in Hades of that! Sure, the show takes a lot of hard work, but now it’s time to refresh our intentions and get back to the basics.
For starters, ABAT will be hosting several meetings via Zoom this fall and winter. Various chapters will hold in-person gatherings to air the meetings while also providing an opportunity for attendees to network with like-minded collision peers. I know it can be difficult for some of us to find time away from the shop, but because we are utilizing this meeting format, you have no excuses to miss out! You can attend from home or the office – you don’t even have to wear shoes if you don’t want to – what’s most important is
that you show up, not for ABAT but for yourself and your business.
Plans are still being finalized, so you’re going to want to stay tuned to Texas Automotive and ABAT’s social media channels to keep updated on announcements as they become available, but I want to tease y’all by sharing a little of the information I have so you can start getting excited about what’s coming up in your own backyard (or on your screen if you choose that route). So, like I said, it’s about getting back to basics. We’re going to have experts presenting on important topics like repair planning and other things that impact a shop’s profitability, and by experts, I mean people who have had success doing the things they’re going to teach us about. Participants will be able to take notes and then head back to the shop with a list of items to implement to improve their own businesses. Because that’s
continued on pg. 22
Burl Richards ABAT President
Executive Director’s
Having Fun Doing It!
WWow! I can’t believe this year has flown by so fast! They say time flies when you’re having fun, and we are doing just that! In fact, I was reading through Chasidy’s cover story (see page 16) where she talks about ABAT’s 10-year journey, and something caught my eye: My quote from when I was first hired by ABAT in 2017. With ABAT being so new, we had no history or expectations for what I would be doing for the association – it was a “take it as it comes” kind of thing. My quote was, “My vision for ABAT is to grow our association and be a unified voice for Texas. We will bring education, government affairs, communication and industry networking, and we will have fun doing it.” I am proud to say that seven and a half years later…CHECK! We are doing all that –especially the last part.
Fun fact: In addition to being the executive director of ABAT, I’m also a party planner. Yes, I know that auto body and party planning are a natural pairing (just kidding). But if you have ever attended any ABAT event, you would see where the party planner side of me steps in and creates experiences that are unique to our industry.
I want to take a moment to let you in on some of the events we have planned for ABAT through the end of the year:
September 28 – ABAT’s Fall Celebration, San Antonio. Come for an evening of food and fellowship with a special presentation on ABAT’s current initiatives as well as what we are gearing up for in 2025. Food, margaritas, music and TONS of amazing door prizes.
October: Be on the lookout for a webinar – announcement coming soon!
November 14 – ABAT’s Top Golf FUNdraiser, Houston. I will also be traveling to SEMA that month to scout classes, speakers and new tools to bring back to you all at the next Texas Auto Body Trade Show.
December: ABAT will be announcing the premiere of a NEW look! It’s a secret for now, but get ready for a SERIOUS membership upgrade for 2025!
That’s all for now, but just remember that every ABAT event promises to deliver both heavy-hitting education and little fun twists along the way.
jill@abat.com
Jill Tuggle ABAT Executive Director
Carrie Coppi, Hub City Body Shop, Lubbock
The ladies in this industry are certainly something special! In the words of ABAT’s very own Jill Tuggle, “There’s something special about the women in the collision repair business. It’s almost like we are our own breed – so wildly unique, yet still similar!” With that, welcome to our new feature where we highlight the many interesting ladies who make the collision industry so unique!!
Our inaugural feature lets us get to know Carrie Coppi of the family-owned and operated Hub City Body Shop (Lubbock).
Texas Automotive: How did you get into this industry? What role do you play?
Carrie Coppi: Our family has been ‘gear-heads’ for our entire lives. I would help my father rebuild miscellaneous barnyard finds. When my father retired from banking after 30 years, he started with MAACO in Texas. My family was based in California at the time, but we’d come down here to visit. After my husband got out of the military, we moved down to Texas, and I started working at the shop as an estimator. Once my father retired, my brother, Dan Seay, took over, and we named the shop Hub City Body Shop.
TXA: What are some of the biggest challenges women in the industry face?
CC: Typically, when someone comes into the shop, they assume I’m the receptionist, and they may seem taken aback when they realize I’m handling the repairs as an estimator. Occasionally, if it does appear that a male or female customer would prefer to speak with a male, I’ll refer them to a coworker who usually tells the customer, ‘Carrie is our lead estimator, and you’ll want her taking care of your repairs.’
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TXA: What about this industry do you love the most?
CC: The camaraderie, with my shop and even with those in other shops. We are located in an area where there isn’t any real contention. We all get along great and will send business each other’s way. Everyone is very involved.
TXA: What’s life like outside the body shop? Do you have any interesting hobbies you’d like to share?
CC: We are a family-owned business. I am here as early as 7am Monday to Friday, so there’s not often a lot of time away. We will be moving our daughter to college soon, so I will likely be figuring out some hobbies to take part in once she is no longer home with us. Also, hoping to do some off-roading in the desert. We haven’t had the opportunity to do that in several years.
TXA: What encouraging words would you give to other women interested in entering the world of collision?
CC: Keep up with all of the industry standards and all the training. Be confident when you are with your customers and your coworkers. The more knowledge you have, the more confident you can be. That’s really something I’ve learned from Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway). Being knowledgeable will help you be confident in everything you do and when working with adjusters, customers, coworkers, parts distributors and vendors.
TXA
Carrie Coppi (far right), pictured with her brother and parents (from L-R) Dan Seay, Sheila Seay and Roy Seay
Vendor Spotlight
by Alana Quartuccio
1Source ADAS: Reshaping the Way for ADAS Calibrations
It takes an experienced technician to know what an experienced technician really needs, especially when it comes to ensuring that today’s vehicles are correctly repaired.
That is exactly what longtime ABAT supporter and automotive professional Tommy Ames has devoted his career to –ADAS calibrations. Automotive electronics is his specialty. Through his company, Automotive Electronic Solutions, they provide the solution to all automotive electronic needs, from pre- and postscanning to ADAS calibrations, providing service to anything and everything in the repair process that involves electronics.
Now, he’s taking things even further with the development of 1Source ADAS, software that reads or “scrubs” an estimate to decipher the post-repair calibrations and required safety procedures. The technician using the software receives an easy-to-follow report with links to OEM procedures –everything they need post-repair in one document!
Although other software exists in the market, Ames and his partner Robby Read, along with their product manager Kirk Carlisle, recognized that technicians’ needs were not being met – so they set
out to create their software to truly serve technicians.
“Sadly, we didn’t create the idea for estimating scrubbing, but we have made a software that’s more affordable and geared to the technician and the shop owner’s mindset,” Ames explains.
“With over 30 years in the collision industry, many of those specifically in ADAS and automotive electronics, we know exactly what is needed from a software platform like this,” he adds. “We knew that we could make it better. That was our goal. We also have a lot of experience knowing what is required and what is not required with these repairs. Our main focus was to not have our software be all bells and whistles, but rather be based on simplicity and accuracy. It provides accurate reports for the technician on an easy-to-use platform. Nobody has time to learn something new, so we wanted to make it as simple as possible.”
Read echoes his partner’s sentiments. “We saw the need and decided to build something that’s good for the calibration and collision market that is also userfriendly.”
It’s important to the 1Source ADAS team that their customers know that it’s
their shared passion for fixing cars correctly that drives them in this business. “We don’t have any outside investors, so we don’t answer to anyone but our customers; we’re just industry professionals with the industry’s best interest in mind,” Ames expresses.
The purpose of 1Source ADAS is to assist the technician in the blueprinting process. “The blueprinter or the estimator doesn’t have to dive through pages and pages of OEM procedures to figure out what needs to be done after the car is repaired,” according to Ames. “This takes that out of their hands, gives them a report and saves them hours worth of blueprinting time for just a few dollars.”
Another huge part of following procedure lies in protecting the consumer and one’s shop from liability. “It’s about integrity,” shares Carlisle. “We want to make sure that we’re doing what the customer expects us to do – a correct and complete repair so that the vehicle looks and behaves like it did before it was involved in a crash. And from a business owner’s standpoint, when you put your hands on a customer’s
The 1Source ADAS team at the 2024 Texas Auto Body Trade Show. (L-R): Kirk Carlisle, Tommy Ames and Robby Read
Russell & Smith Logging Big Paint Hours with USI Booths & Prep Station
Buying a paint booth is a huge investment, and there are many factors to carefully consider before selecting one Will the booth work well in a region where there’s a ton of humidity and with drastic changes in the weather? How long do you think the booth will last and will it require a lot of maintenance? Will your painters be comfortable using it ever y day and finally, will the company making the booth provide solid training and reliable customer ser vice?
To answer these questions before acquiring two Chronotech spray booths and a prep deck from USI ITALIA back in 2004, Collision Center Manager Kevin McIllveen at Russell & Smith Body Shop in Houston, TX spent six months studying the market He was looking for the best booths that matched his needs to use in a brand-new 36,000 sq ft facility that the company built from the ground up
Mcllveen, age 56, entered the industr y more than three decades ago as an estimator and has worked for Russell & Smith Body Shop since 1993 His goal with his new spray booths was to improve the efficiencies in his paint department and to accommodate his production, he said, while simultaneously saving time and energy if possible
The vetting process was arduous but worth it in the end. "We did our research so that we could make an educated decision," he said "I went to NACE two years in a row and talked to literally ever yone and asked a lot of questions We knew that this was going to be a ver y significant investment, so we took the time to perform our due diligence to cover all our bases We invested in their prep stations as well, which was another good decision, because my guys can work so much faster and effectively with five different places where we can spray We put a curtain up in the prep booth that provides us two additional spaces that are heated and properly ventilated So, when we are really jammed, we can handle the workload and maintain our cycle time without interrupting or slowing down our production "
After using them for a ver y short time, Mcllveen could clearly see that his Chronotechs were more than capable as they quickly became a centerpiece in his new, high-end, modern shop
"We have four paint teams here, consisting of a painter and a painter’s helper and we consistently log approximately 600-700 paint hours weekly,” he said “We switched to waterborne paint when we opened this facility because we want to provide a healthier climate for our employees and the community as a whole ”
we push these booths and they never let us down ”
Any issues that Russell & Smith Body Shop have encountered with their USI ITALIA booths have been rare and far between But Mcllveen feels good knowing that if called upon, the company will respond and find solutions promptly “If you do your scheduled maintenance and keep ever ything clean, these booths will last you 30 years and maybe even longer The issues that we have encountered with the Chronotechs have been minor and quickly solved, which is impressive when you think that we have been using these booths daily for the last 16 years. I tell people that these booths will be here long after I’ve retired!”
Why was Mcllveen able to improve his numbers by simply adding two USI booths? “In the end, it all comes down to their airflow because we never need blowers or additional air to cure these vehicles The fans in these Chronotechs are exceptional because they feature variable speeds, so we can switch depending on the parameters of each job. Our painters are producing an impressive product day after day, so these booths are saving us both time and money We paint an average of 400 cars ever y month, so
After training provided by USI ITALIA, Mcllveen’s painters were able to start spraying after one day, he said "The Chronotechs are designed to work with waterborne paint, which makes it easier for our painters to do their work After a ver y short time, all of our guys were comfortable and the results were consistently exceptional.”
Mcllveen is also impressed by the Chronotech's sturdy construction and durability "Some booths are just a box, but these are wellbuilt," he said “I know, because I've seen them all and there isn't anything like a USI ITALIA booth "
His career in collision repair industr y has been a great experience and products like his USI ITALIA spray booths and prep station are a part of that, he said “We haven’t had to furlough anybody here and that’s because we value our people and, in the end, our Chronotechs are part of the team ”
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Repairers
Over the past decade, ABAT has done some truly great things for the Texas collision repair industry. Whether the association is hosting local training sessions that feature nationally renowned educators, bringing the best vendors and speakers from around the country to the annual Texas Auto Body Trade Show, educating legislators at the Capitol in Austin or challenging the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to protect consumers’ rights, there’s no doubt about it – ABAT continues to do everything possible to support auto body repairers in the Lone Star State.
Earlier this year, ABAT celebrated its double digits (check it out at grecopublishing.com/txa0224coverstory). Now, after the group’s 10th birthday, members can expect a lot of those same initiatives to take on a new edge as ABAT celebrates a decade with a rebranding!
“ABAT has accomplished a lot over the past 10 years, and reaching such a huge milestone seems like a great time to take advantage of that momentum and figure out how we can do things even better than we have in the past,” shares ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle. The rebrand will begin with refreshing their logo.
“Our new logo incorporates the Texas flag, and one version of the logo even includes an outline of this great state we live in,” she says, clarifying that the color scheme remains unchanged because “these are the colors of Texas! Others may see them as the colors of the United States, and while we always show pride and patriotism to our country as well as our state, true Texans know that red, white and blue are Texas colors.”
ABAT will also be building a whole new website complete with an updated membership module. Like many small organizations, different components have been added over time as ABAT has grown, creating a less-than-ideal situation where tasks are performed in different systems that do not necessarily communicate with one another. “We invested in the software and solutions that suited our needs and budget at the time, so everything was added piece by piece, but we’ve identified ways to improve some of those processes,” Tuggle explains.
Currently, ABAT utilizes separate software for its email campaigns, trade show registration and membership portal. Tuggle is excited that the association is “obtaining software to bring everything under one umbrella, which will enable us to streamline our processes and allow us to reach people in more targeted ways than before to better suit the needs of our members, sponsors and vendors. The information we disseminate will be useful and relevant because it will be reaching the intended audience only.”
The new website will also provide an opportunity for members to customize their profiles by adding photos and a description of their services. “ABAT wants to be a place for members to connect with each other, but our website should also provide the ability to locate other members who offer the products and services they may be looking for,” Tuggle notes. “We want to become a better resource for Texas collision repairers to find those services by showcasing our members, and the new, improved website will also provide a place for consumers to search for shops near them when they’re in need of repairs.”
The website is scheduled to launch in early 2025. As part of the rebranding process, ABAT leadership will be reevaluating other components of the association as well, including its mission statement, vision and more, so stay tuned to abat.us for updates as they become available.
ABAT has always bled red, white and blue for Texas collision shops, and as much as things may change, many things remain the same.
From the very beginning, the association’s focus on training has shone through. Industry veteran Janet Chaney participated heavily in getting the association off the ground in its earliest days, beginning when former Board member Brandon Dodd invited her to Texas to join one of the group’s first gatherings. “I didn’t know I was going to be a speaker at three meetings,” she recalls. “However, it turned out to be a rich, wonderful and fun experience that could only happen in Texas – such high energy, good spirit and camaraderie! ABAT is such a great association, and I have been lucky to be a small part of their beginnings.”
Chaney became a supporting force behind the association, participating in the Board’s monthly meetings, and she was ecstatic when they found the perfect fit for their executive director position. “I was fortunate enough to be on the call when the Board made the decision to hire Jill Tuggle. Jill and I shared a lot when she got started, and I am so proud to see where she and ABAT are now. Jill and the Board are the perfect mix; they are innovative, creative and determined to make a difference.”
Since Tuggle became executive director of the association, she has strove to unite Texas collision repairers. “My vision for ABAT is to grow our association and be a unified voice for Texas. We will bring education, government affairs, communication and industry networking, and we will have fun doing it,” she promised upon accepting the full-time position in 2017. “I am excited to see the momentum continue to grow.”
And it certainly has grown with the association expanding to include seven chapters across the Lone Star State, but Tuggle hopes to see even more growth. “Expanding our membership has been a huge priority in 2024 and will continue to be a focus in 2025. We have many great shops that are active in the association, but as a state with nearly 5,000 collision repair facilities, our membership numbers are not reflective of that. Lots of non-members attend our training seminars, events and the Texas Auto Body Trade Show, but they haven’t yet made the leap into joining ABAT because they just haven’t gotten around to it. It only takes a few moments, but I believe that process is going to become even easier once we launch our new website and membership module, so I anticipate seeing a big increase in membership next year.”
Likewise, ABAT will continue to promote and enhance its annual trade show which began in 2016. ABAT President Burl Richards asked Chaney to assist the group with planning their first trade show in Fort Worth. Although there was a limited amount of time to prepare for the event, “that Texas spirit came through, and it was a huge success,” Chaney says. “They knocked it out of the park and have been knocking it out of the park ever since!” While continued on pg. 18
continued from pg. 17
attendees at the first trade show numbered in the dozens, the 2024 Texas Auto Body Trade Show attracted just shy of 1,000 industry professionals, yet Tuggle hopes to top that next year when the event will return to its original time frame, scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2025.
During this year’s show, ABAT unveiled a new tradition: an awards ceremony honoring those who have made a huge impact on the association (get the details at grecopublishing.com/ txa0824abat10years). “The idea behind the awards ceremony was definitely borne out of our 10-year anniversary,” Tuggle acknowledges. “It just kept coming back to the idea that we never could have gotten this far and achieved so much without our Board of Directors and all our members. We felt like those were the people who should be recognized for ABAT reaching this milestone, and it felt especially right to honor Robert [McDorman of Auto Claim Specialists] and Chad [Neal of Paint Works]. I expect that we’ll be giving out
more awards and recognizing more folks who have contributed to ABAT’s success in the future.”
The ladies’ event that takes place during the show has been a crowd favorite for several years, but the 2024 iteration of this gathering was bigger than ever before, riding on the coattails of ABAT’s Inaugural Night of Honor for Collision Industry Women in Lubbock this past spring with over 100 female collision professionals in attendance (read our recap at grecopublishing.com/ txa0624abatfeature). Tuggle promises more events in this vein to come as well.
“ABAT evolves with our industry because we listen to our members to determine what matters most to them, and this level of recognition and engagement is imperative. This has nothing to do with rebranding and everything to do with continuing to keep a pulse on the industry’s needs, which has always been a huge goal of the association. Through our new online presence, we hope to reflect these types of initiatives more clearly to gain momentum
in these areas as well.”
Although ABAT’s focus remains on Texas shops, their involvement on the national level enables them to also keep tabs on what’s happening in the industry on a much larger scale. Tuggle often attends regional industry events like the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show and the Southeast Collision Conference hosted by the Carolinas Collision Association and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association, as well as national events like the Collision Industry Conference, the SEMA Show and meetings hosted by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). By networking on this scale, she has been able to develop relationships with many of the industry leaders who visit Texas as educators at the trade show and for other ABAT meetings, inspiring Lone Star shops to improve their businesses.
Tuggle is often pleasantly surprised by the level of respect and admiration ABAT receives at these events. “We work hard to do what’s right for our members, but it’s always so humbling when national leaders praise our efforts or when newer associations strive to be like us.”
And it’s not just newer associations, as evidenced by the 60-plus-year-old AASP/ NJ’s decision to add to their events at NORTHEAST with the Bodywork Bowl, a contest inspired by ABAT’s BIG SHOTS Competition, which Tuggle has managed for the past two years on behalf of ABAT’s friends in New Jersey.
ABAT’s passion and dedication was recognized in a major way late last year when they became the seventh recipient of the SCRS Affiliate Association Award during SEMA 2023! (If you missed the news, you should really check out grecopublishing.com/txa1223coverstory for a better understanding of just how impressive this accomplishment is.) The recognition came as no surprise to Chaney, who stresses, “ABAT has come a long way, and they will continue to shoot for our industry’s stars. ABAT is the best association in the country!”
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Ask The Expert Carriers Wrongfully Reducing Settlement by the Salvage Value is Happening Everywhere
by Robert L. McDorman
Dear Mr. McDorman,
I own and operate a collision facility in Southeast Texas. I read the reader’s question and your answer in the August edition, “In the last several months, several insurance carriers have abandoned vehicles at our shop. The insurance carrier refused to send us the title in each of these instances.” We are having a similar issue with our clients. However, in our situation, the insurance carrier is having Copart or IAA pay our charges, pick up the vehicle and then deduct such charges from the insured’s settlement. Have you also seen these kinds of activities in other parts of Texas?
Thank you for your comments and questions. Yes, we also see this type of egregious behavior across the United States. As stated last month, it is my professional opinion the first line of defense the insured has in these types of situations is to review the total loss proposed settlement offer to make sure the insurance carrier has appropriately defined the actual cash value. If the insured will email us the market valuation report, settlement summary and pictures of the damaged vehicle, we will review the settlement at no cost. If we determine that the insurance carrier has likely underindemnified the proposed settlement, we will offer suggestions to the insured to see to it they are made whole for their loss. Should the proposed offer be inline with the current market, we can also discuss options available to the insured to mitigate their loss. The first step is to obtain a certified actual cash value appraisal. As I have spoken and written about for many years, the actual cash value of the loss vehicle is the fence post on how liability should be handled according to the policy.
When the carrier selects to reduce their liability, lowering the insured’s settlement by the salvage value and not honoring reasonable fees due to the collision or tow facility as a covered liability, it is a rocky road for the carrier. Over the years, when our clients’ insurance carriers have wrongfully deducted the shop charges from their settlement, we have successfully seen that these charges are reimbursed. As a note, the insurance carrier is only liable to the insured for the liability limits as outlined in the policy and declaration page. As mentioned above, the insured should always check the proposed settlement to ensure the insurance carrier has appropriately identified the actual cash value.
In most of the Texas insurance policies in our library, the limits of liability states that the limits of liability for loss to a covered auto, non-owned auto or custom parts or equipment is the lowest of: A) the actual cash value of the stolen or damaged property at the time of the loss reduced by the applicable deductible; B) the amount necessary to replace the stolen or damaged property
Robert is a recognized Public Insurance Adjuster and Certified Vehicle Value Expert specializing in motor vehicle-related insurance claim resolution. Robert can be reached by phone at (800) 736-6816, (817) 756-5482 or via email at AskTheExpert@autoclaimspecialists.com.
reduced by the applicable deductible; C) the amount necessary to repair the damaged property to its pre-loss condition reduced by the applicable deductible; or D) the stated amount shown on the declarations page for that covered auto.
As we can see in the policy language listed above, once the insurance carrier has reached the policy limits of liability, the carrier has the right to not honor the insured policy requirement to preserve the loss vehicle after the loss expense. To take this one step further, when the insurance carrier realizes they cannot reduce their liability enough to cover the collision facilities’ fees to pick up the loss vehicle, we see the insurance carrier electing to abandon the car at the shop. However, we routinely see the carrier’s error in this process. Our position at Auto Claim Specialists is that these types of loss disputes should be subject to appraisal.
As discussed above, should the carrier not properly indemnify the insured by not recognizing the actual cash value of the loss vehicle, use an unsupported salvage value and/or reduce their liability by deducting the salvage from the insured’s settlement, it becomes a rocky road and a mixed bag of tricks for the carrier. In each of our clients’ claims where the carrier elected to travel down this rocky road, we have referred the insured to lawyers familiar with these types of situations after we have defined the actual cash value. In each of these instances, the carrier suffered severe monetary punishment at the dismissal of the litigation. Defining the actual cash value will identify the carrier’s liability.
Until legislators pass laws to make the Right to Appraisal mandatory in Texas for all motor vehicle policies, we have no choice but to continue to advise our clients who have been harmed and cheated by their insurance carriers to fight like the third monkey in line to get onto Noah’s Ark when it has already begun to rain, and we will help. In my professional opinion, the more times these systematic under-indemnification schemes are exposed, and monetary punishment is levied, the quicker change will come to help us all.
Our position at Auto Claim Specialists is that the Right to Appraisal should be a mandatory contractual right in every policy. For the 89th Texas Legislative Panel, we will team up with our lobbyist, Andrew “Drew” Graham, to educate lawmakers and help secure mandatory contractual appraisal rights for all insured Texans.
continued on pg. 24
Industry Update
Keeping it Spotless: The Importance of a Clean Room for Aluminum Repairs
When performing aluminum repairs, preventing crosscontamination is crucial. Aluminum is highly sensitive to contamination, especially from steel. If you don’t prevent steel dust from settling on aluminum-intensive vehicle surfaces, galvanic corrosion will occur and weaken aluminum components. When aluminum exterior surfaces like the hood, roof or door panel are exposed to steel dust, galvanic corrosion can damage a paint job. Aluminum dust also is explosive when exposed to a spark.
A clean room minimizes the risk of crxoss-contamination by providing a controlled environment free from airborne dust, metal shavings, and other contaminants. This ensures that the aluminum repair process is conducted in optimal conditions, prevents surface damage and helps maintain the integrity of the repair as required by OEMs.
The RAE Body Repair Station features a curtain that has special light reflection as well as fire approved properties. This will isolate your aluminum work area from nearby bays. Accepted by leading OEM certified collision repair facility programs, the body repair station features an e-glass curtain that meets fire retardation standard EN-13501-1 (required by OEM certification programs across the globe). A built-in viewing window meets standards for eye protection of workers outside the aluminum bay. LED lighting helps provide ideal lighting conditions when performing
President’s Message
continued from pg. 4
what ABAT is all about: helping shops get better, but you have to be there to benefit from what we offer.
Meanwhile, anyone who has been paying attention has probably noticed that insurance companies are starting to pull out that whole “prevailing competitive practice” nonsense that was really popular about 10 years ago, and I’m hearing that some shops aren’t asking for necessary repair items. I’m not sure I believe it –we all know insurers will sell things however they want to get their
The RAE Body Repair Station isolates your aluminum work area from nearby bays.
intricate repairs, while a specially-coated welding curtain separates and protects the surrounding area from the aluminum bay. Please contact Reliable Automotive Equipment to learn more about how we can help you perform aluminum repairs safely, efficiently and cleanly. Visit Booth #32135 in the South Upper Hall at SEMA for more information on our full line of collision repair equipment, products, training, service and more.
way – so ABAT will be sending surveys out to find out what shops are actually doing instead of taking the carriers’ word for it. None of us should be relying on what they say to determine how we want to run our shops, but we cannot get stuck in our bubble, unaware of what’s going on outside of our four walls.
That’s why it’s so important to attend ABAT’s meetings, participate in the surveys and show up for yourself, your shop and your industry. We need everyone to get involved instead of sitting around asking, “What’s the association doing for us, anyway?”
The answer is “A LOT!” But ABAT can’t just wave a magic wand and fix everything in this industry. A group of 20 or 30 people cannot change what happens throughout the entire state. When we come together, there is strength in our numbers. The association is here to educate and inspire Texas repairers, but it’s up to us – the shops – to make the magic happen. So stay tuned and make sure to participate because what’s next for ABAT is really about what’s best for YOUR shop, and we need YOU to get back to the basics and beyond for our industry to be its very best.
Ask The Expert
We, the insureds, are many, and I am confident that if we join forces and do all that we can, we will be successful in securing our right and our children’s right to contest insurance settlement offers that would result in underpayment of losses and/or shoddy and dangerous repairs.
Under-indemnification in repair procedure claims in Texas is rampant. Most of the above-referenced averages on estimates and supplements had many overlooked (by design) safety and OEMrequired operations needed to restore the loss vehicle to its pre-loss condition to the best of one’s human ability. Besides the higher settlements we have obtained for our clients with repair procedure disputes, we have increased total loss settlements on average by $4,200 or 28 percent above the carrier’s proposed final offer. These under-indemnification percentages are staggering and harmful to Texas citizens. I believe limiting or removing the insured’s right to appraise a repair procedure is a safety issue. Insurance carriers limiting or eliminating the Right to Appraisal in a repair procedure dispute will be the nail in the coffin for safe roadways in Texas.
The spirit of the Appraisal Clause is to resolve loss disputes fairly and to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner. Invoking the Appraisal Clause removes inexperienced and biased carrier appraisers and claims handlers from the process, undermining their management’s many tricks to undervalue the loss settlement and
under-indemnify the insured. Through the Appraisal Clause, loss disputes can be resolved relatively quickly, economically, equitably and amicably by unbiased, experienced, independent third-party appraisers as opposed to more costly and time-consuming methods such as mediation, arbitration and litigation.
In today’s world, regarding motor vehicle insurance policies, frequent changes in claim management and claim handling policies, and non-standardized GAP Addendums, we have found it is always in the best interest of the insured or claimant to have their proposed insurance settlement reviewed by an expert before accepting. There is never an upfront fee for Auto Claim Specialists to review a motor vehicle claim or proposed settlement and give their professional opinion as to the fairness of the offer.
Please call me should you have any questions relating to the policy or covered loss. We have most insurance policies in our library. Always remember that a safe repair is a quality repair and quality equates to value. I thank you for your question and look forward to any follow-up questions that may arise.
Sincerely,
Robert L. McDorman TXA
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Vendor Spotlight
continued from pg. 10
car, whatever you touch, you own. So, even if you don’t do the calibration yourself, you interact with the systems, and ultimately you take on a degree of responsibility for it. If you’re going to carry that liability, it is imperative that you do it correctly and document that you’ve done it correctly to protect yourself and your customer.”
Affordability was another need they set out to address. “We bill per report, so there’s no minimums or contracts involved,” Ames explains. “One can cancel anytime and pay only for what they used. There’s no package pricing. It gets cheaper the more you use it. At the end of each monthly billing cycle you will be billed for your total reports at the respective pricing tier that you fall under.”
“Another thing that sets our software apart is that collision industry experts designed it,” Read points out. “It wasn’t built by some software guy sitting behind a desk who had a good idea. We are in the industry doing this every day, and we run hundreds of cars a week, so we know what works and what doesn’t.”
Ames also stresses how important it is to follow OEM procedures. “My other business, Automotive Electronic Solutions, is really particular about OEM procedures. We’ll do it the way the manufacturer says, or we just won’t do the job at all.” TXA
Cover Story
continued from pg. 18
The association’s legislative advocacy was cited as one of the many reasons ABAT received this coveted honor.
“Our legislative initiatives have been important to ABAT from the beginning,” Tuggle stresses, recalling one of her first business trips when she shared ABAT’s legislative goals with the leaders of several other associations. “A few of the older guys told me it was a waste of time and would never work, and while I respected their opinions and experience, I remember thinking, ‘That attitude doesn’t lead to change, though.’ I couldn’t wait to tackle it our way, and while we haven’t gotten the desired results just yet, I’m still hopeful that we’ll ultimately see a different outcome. We learn a little more during each attempt to pass legislation, and by incorporating those lessons in our next endeavor, we move the needle a little more in each legislative session.”
Texas repairers can surely expect ABAT to be at the forefront of the 2025 legislative battle, pushing for all insurance policies to include Right to Appraisal and continuing the fight to ensure safe roadways for all Texans by requiring proper repairs based on OEMrecommended processes, in addition to addressing the differences between original and aftermarket parts. Stay tuned to Texas Automotive as more details become available, including instructions on how YOU can help make these important endeavors become ABAT’s greatest success story yet! TXA
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Designed for high production, the Italia comes with the Timeless Series Direct Drive Air Make Up Unit, completely integrated intake, heat,
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The exterior of Accudraft’s Dual Skin Finishing Equipment is available in FOUR colors:
