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VOL. 1 ISSUE 8 APRIL 2013
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Vermont Bill Regulates Use of Aftermarket Parts Vermont State Rep. Bill Botzow (D1) introduced House Bill 362, a bill that regulates the use of aftermarket parts in automobile repairs covered by insurance. The bill has been referred to Vermont’s House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. The language of the bill includes the following provisions: ● No insurer shall require the use of aftermarket parts in the repair of an automobile unless the aftermarket part is at least equal in like kind and quality to the original part in terms of fit, quality and performance. An insurer that requires the use of aftermarket parts shall consider and be liable for
the cost of any modifications that may become necessary when making a repair. ● All aftermarket parts manufactured after Jan. 1, 2014, shall carry sufficient permanent identification so as to identify their manufacturer. Such identification shall be accessible to the extent possible after installation. ● Aftermarket parts may not be required by an insurer in the repair of automobiles placed in service during the two years immediately preceding the claim report and which have 30,000 or fewer miles recorded on the odometer. See Vermont Bill, Page 13
Maryland Legislation Would Block InsurerMandated Parts Procurement, WMABA: Yes Maryland Delegate Mark N. Fisher (R-27B) has introduced House Bill 1375 regarding replacement parts for damaged vehicles. The bill would prevent insurers from requiring a “specific vendor or process for parts procurement”—in effect it would block requirements like State Farm’s PartsTrader initiative in the state. This legislation is one of the first attempts to address recent insurer initiatives relative to parts procurement. The bill language prohibits an adjuster, appraiser, insurance producer or employee of an insurer from requiring a motor vehicle repair facility to use a specific vendor or process
PAINT AND REFINISH TECHNOLOGIES First of 2 Issues
for parts procurement or other necessary material for vehicle repair. The legislation requires an insurer to authorize repairs to be made using genuine crash parts, prohibiting an insurer from requiring repairs to be made using aftermarket crash parts during the five years after the vehicle is manufactured. The insured may consent to the use of aftermarket crash parts in writing at the time of repair. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its Collision Division Operations Committee have conducted educational meetings around the country, met with insurer repreSee Maryland Legislation, Page 14
• Custom Painter Stories, p. 16, 19, 28, 32, 36, 40 • Companies Talk Tech p. 9, 22 • Tips and Tricks p. 12 • Training and News, p. 8, 22
Indiana Convention & Exhibition Takes Control of the Future: “What are You Doing to Prepare?”
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“Taking Control of Your Future” was the motto of the 2013 Bi-Annual Convention and Technology Exhibition sponsored by the Indiana Auto Body Association in Indianapolis, February 22–23. This two-day convention was a solid mix of collision repair technology, education and industry issues. The freezing rain that hit Indi-
anapolis the night before didn’t slow down this show one bit, although Mike Anderson, who was scheduled to open the show Friday morning, got trapped in Toronto by the storm. IABA Executive Director and manager of the Convention, Tony Passwater, took over and gave the event a great start. The convention was held at the Lincoln College of Technology, a perfect venue for the event. Over 65 ven-
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dor booths populated the main hall and educational programs were in the classrooms. The Industry Panel Discussions were built into the Technology Exhibition. “The success of this event Rich Evans, fabricator, customizer and Autobody News columnist, was a joint effort gets the students’ attention at the Indiana convention (see p. 40) between the Indiana Auto Body Asso- Passwater. “I can’t thank them enough ciation and Lincoln College of Tech- for its success.” The show opened with Tony nology instructors and staff,” said Passwater delivering the theme “The Future Is Not Locked In Stone.” The meeting moved right into a panel discussion “The Future of the Collision Repair Industry,” which featured, Nick Notte, Sterling Auto Body Centers, Jim Keller, 1Collision, Tim Adelman, ABRA and Erick Bickett, FIX Auto. These industry leaders collectively represented MSOs, insurerTony Passwater, Executive Director of the Indiowned shops, networks and franchises ana Auto Body Association, opens the 2013 Bi-Annual Convention and Technology Exhibit
See Indiana Convention, Page 20
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