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Class Action Against Progressive Settled in MA Two Springfield, MA, law firms have settled a federal class-action lawsuit against Progressive Insurance that has the potential to see a payment of more than $8 million to 4,300 Massachusetts residents in an ongoing dispute over auto insurance coverage. The two firms, Alekman DiTusa LLC and Connor, Morneau and Olin LLC, filed suit against Progressive Direct Insurance Company, claiming that between 2008 and 2010, the insurance company deceptively had customers agree to an $8,000 deductible for injury claims resulting from car accidents. Ryan Alekman said the settlement, agreed to January 29, brings to
an end a four-year dispute affecting 4,311 people in Massachusetts. Each of the people listed in the suit, named “Wanda Estrada, et al v. Progressive Direct Insurance Company,” is eligible for a payment of $1,875 provided they filed by the end of last month. If all of the claims are filed, the payout by Progressive will be $8.08 million. In addition to the money for claims, Progressive also agreed to pay all legal fees. According to court documents, the company agreed to the settlement to bring an end to the court action but admitted to no wrongdoing. A spokesman
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
Mississippi,” said AASP/NJ President Jeff McDowell. “NORTHEAST is a show for repairers presented by repairers. The AASP/NJ Board works tirelessly to bring the best speakers and exhibitors to our region every year, and 2016 will surpass everything that has come before. We couldn’t be more excited.” Educational sessions at NORTHEAST 2016 will begin on Friday afternoon March 18 with “Building and Sustaining Standard Operating Procedures for Collision Repair,” presented by Keith Manich of Automotive Training Institute at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. This seminar will demonstrate the importance of keeping staff adequately
See Class Action Settled, Page 40
MassCAR Training Helps Meet EPA Compliance by Chasidy Rae Sisk
In January and February 2016, the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) hosted six MA Clean Auto Repair
(MassCAR) guidance and training sessions across the state. According to Tiffany Skogstrom, Environmental Analyst for OTA, the goals of the
AASP/NJ Releases Seminar Agenda for 39th Annual NORTHEAST™ Trade Show
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With the approach of the 39th Annual NORTHEAST Trade Show scheduled to take place March 18-20 at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ, AASP/NJ has released the agenda for the event, which includes 18 seminars and demos as well as over 130 exhibitors on the trade show floor. While every year features a variety of informative seminars, this year’s lineup features several industry favorites, including Mike Anderson, Larry Montanez, Tony Nethery and Judy Gatchell. “There isn’t a show that can match the NORTHEAST show this side of the
VOL. 6 ISSUE 12 MARCH 2016
informed of operational requirements, plus Manich will discuss the steps needed to create a structured production environment. From 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, “AASP/NJ Presents: Advanced Material Repair in 2016 and Beyond,” will be presented by Reliable Automotive Equipment’s Dave Gruskos, Larry Montanez III of P & L Consultants and Doug Richman from Kaiser Aluminum on behalf of the Aluminum Association. In covering everything repairers need to know when repairing advance materials, these three industry experts will discuss the properties of the materials, OEM-approved procedures, safety considerations, processes and equipment needed for these repairs, and more. “Maximize Your Estimates” is a fee-based course that will be taught by John Niechwiadowicz of QLC, Inc. and Jerry McNee of Ultimate Collision Repair on Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 3:305:30 p.m. In the second annual installment of this NORTHEAST estimating seminar, attendees will continue learning how to write complete and accurate estimates which capture all billable operations reasonably and realistically needed to repair a damaged vehicle.
training sessions were “to bring the MassCAR guidance document to the automotive industry across the state of MA. The purpose of the guidance is to give the shops the tools to not only stay in compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations, but also to introduce owners to safer alternative chemicals and practices that can be easily implemented in the shop.” The OTA is a state agency that provided free and confidential pollution prevention, toxics use reduction and resource conservation assistance to businesses in MA. In the 1990s, this agency created the Collision Repair See MassCar Training, Page 19
From 5:30-6:30 p.m., “Effective Training for Shops” will be presented by Tony Nethery of BlueCollar Collision Training who will define what type of body shop training is required and which optional training provides the best investment. Nethery will repeat this discussion on Sunday at 1 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., General Motors’ Jim Mickle will discuss three important areas to repairing and replacing structural components on a vehicle in “GM Structural Repair” which will be facilitated by Flemington Car & Truck Country. Mike Anderson of Collision Advice will present “Positioning Yourself in the Collision Repair Industry” from 7:30-9 p.m.; this seminar is sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems. Anderson will offer a unique look at how collision repair facilities can overcome challenges in today’s market by focusing on sales and marketing, production, accounting, finances and human resources. Attendees will learn how to increase sales, how to attract and retain employees, and how to develop and implement a successful apprenticeship and training program. Anderson will also cover which KPIs shops should monitor, and he will discuss the manSee NORTHEAST™, Page 38
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