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Record Hailstone, 4.5 Inches Across, Marks Massive Storm, Extensive Vehicle Damage in Northern MI by Samantha Radecki, 9 and 10 News
These severe storms also dropped some massive hail in northern Michigan. In Ogemaw County’s West Branch—the hail set a new record—and caused some major damage. Just north of the town, a hail stone came in at 4¼ inches. It’s the largest hail Northern Michigan has seen since record keeping began back in 1950. And this big hail storm caused a lot of damage. “Massive hail, the size of baseballs, coming down like crazy.” The largest hail in West Branch was about the size of a softball. There
The largest hail stone reported during the storm was 4 ¼ inches
were also many reports of one and two inch hailstones in the area. See Massive Hail, Page 48
Record $24,000 Raised at Godfrey, IL, Body Shop Fundraiser “Christmas in July”
Taylor and Lily Freer with their family. Credit: riverbender.com
See Christmas in July,, Page 30
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas on July 31 at Freer Auto Body. Taylor and Lily Freer and the rest of the Freer family hosted its annual Christmas In July event, which
raised a phenomenal $24,000 for Community Christmas. Community Christmas is an annual United Way toy and clothing collection for the impoverished. The meal at Freer Auto Body in Godfrey consisted of Sloppy Joes, chips and Margaret Freer’s well-known cheesecake. The large group in attendance all had smiles on their faces, enjoying the meal with the joy of helping a good cause. Margaret Freer said the family’s goal was to top the $20,000 mark in fund-raising and they did that by $4,000, getting to $24,000 total. “The customers and sponsors
Change Service Requested
by Dan Brannan, riverbender.com
VOL. 4 ISSUE 12 SEPTEMBER 2015
www.autobodynews.com ww ww.autobodynews.com
Three-C Body Shop in OH Wins Lawsuit Against American Family Insurance Three-C Body Shop in Ohio recently won a lawsuit against American Family Insurance. On September 29th, 2014, during a bench trial in the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio, Civil Division, American Fam-
granted, and on April 29, the Magistrate reversed his earlier judgment and ruled in favor of Three-C Body Shop. The facts surrounding this matter stem from when the vehicle owner had a vehicle towed to Three-C Body shop
“We are happy that our customer [the vehicle owner] did not need to come out of pocket for work that was clearly owed by American Family,” —Bob Juniper, Owner and President of Three-C Body Shop
ily, the Plaintiff, levied a complaint against Three-C Body Shop. On April 10, 2013, American Family Insurance filed a lawsuit for replevin against the shop due to a dispute arising from Three-C Body Shop’s billing. On January 21st, 2015, the Magistrate ruled in favor of the insurer. Three-C’s legal team filed a Motion for Reconsideration, which was
for repair. During the repair process, American Family Insurance, recognizing they had not properly evaluated the cost to repair, and after reviewing Three-C’s blueprint deemed the vehicle a total loss. On September 19, 2011 the insurer made a settlement with the vehicle owner (their policy holder), took title/ownership of the vehicle and on
by Clay Chandler, The Clarion-Ledger
Mosley’s crusade began right after a 2013 hailstorm did millions of dollars in damage to vehicles and buildings in the Jackson area. Insurers were less than clear about what repair procedures were covered, Mosley said, an issue he took to Chaney in a meeting attended by representatives of State Farm Insurance, the company Mosley labeled as the worst offender. The summit seemed to iron out the issues, but it wasn’t long before the insurer reverted. Making the problem worse was insurers’ ignoring an opinion from Attorney General Jim Hood that Mosley said affirmed his position. Chaney countered with data his office gathered after the hailstorm that showed that, out of 100,000 claims filed (about 60,000 of which were for automobiles) a total of “50 or 60” complaints arose, all filed by three body shops, he said. He said last week that further investigation into the issue
See Three-C Body Shop, Page 14
Mike Chaney Defeats John Mosley for MS Insurance Commissioner in GOP Primary Incumbent Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney likely secured another term on August 4, defeating Clinton businessman John Mosley in the Republican primary. Chaney and Mosley had sparred over insurers’ ability to dictate vehicle repairs at body shops. Mosley, whose family started Clinton Body Shop almost 40 years ago, said a series of complaints he and other body shop owners had taken to Chaney’s office regarding insurance companies moving the target as to what they would and would pay for was the primary reason he ran to unJohn Mosley (File seat the incumbent. photo), owner of Neither returned Clinton Body Shop, cell phone messaran for Insurance ges on the night of Commissioner of Mississippi. August 4.
See Mosley Defeated, Page 48
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