Business News

         
 

Audatex urges motor insurers to focus on total losses When commercial pressures become acute, businesses need to find ways of turning problems into opportunities. According to Audatex, the total loss scenario could be a potential candidate for removing cost from the business.

19% of parents ‘front’ for kids Moneysupermarket.com has found that almost one in five drivers (19%) have or would consider fronting on their motor insurance policy to save money, with one in three (31%) saying fronting is legal.

Don’t drive with sport on radio Esure has warned football fans not to listen to the Champions League Final tonight while driving after research by TTE Systems at the University of Leicester estimated listening to sport causes two million accidents.

Nevada salvage bill could harm repairers The Nevada State Assembly is considering Senate Bill 360, the Salvaged Vehicles Act, which changes provisions governing the sale and title of salvage vehicles. The Nevada Senate passed S.B. 360 earlier this year and if the Assembly amends the bill, it would return to the state Senate

Taking the mystery out of PAS 125 Several bodyshops recently attended an information day organised by the MVRA and Martec Training, held at Martec’s new Training Centre Newcastle Staffs.

Carmakers delay car scheme start Ford and Honda have delayed the start of their involvement in the UK car scrappage scheme, saying there are a number of matters still to be resolved. Ford has suspended deliveries of vehicles to dealers, while Honda has told its dealers not to register any cars under the scheme.

N.J. must pay body shop owner $1.2 million for taking his property A jury awarded $1.2 million to the owners of a former auto body shop in Dover, N.J., who lost their land and business after it was condemned by the state.

Three and easy for Baldwins Baldwins has achieved PAS 125 accreditation across all three of its sites. The business initially achieved accreditation at its Stratford-upon-Avon site in August last year and now the Corby and Aylesbury premises have followed suit.

UK vehicle scrappage scheme gets underway The UK vehicle scrappage scheme comes into effect today (18 May 2009) which offers a £2,000 discount on a new car or light commercial vehicle (van up to 3.5 tonnes). The scheme will run until 28 February 2010, or until the £300 million government funds run out.

AkzoNobel Launches Energy Efficient LED Spray Gun Co-developed by AkzoNobel’s Car Refinishes businesses, the UV LED spray gun, being introduced to the European market this month, ensures a nearly instant cure of the company’s Sikkens Autoclear UV clearcoat.

AkzoNobel and Global Autocoat join forces in Perth AkzoNobel Car Refinishes is pleased to announce that they are joining forces with Global Autocoat to create a stronger distribution presence in Perth, WA.

Expensive lesson on test drive A man lost 23,000 euros (20,594 pounds) to the wind when an envelope with the money he had stuck in the passenger seat pocket of his convertible blew away during a test drive in northern Germany.

Thatcham Maintain Installation Standards Further to the recent statement from the Board of the VSIB (Vehicle Systems Installation Board) that the company has gone into administration, Thatcham are moving to support the installation industry, today announcing the ‘Thatcham Recognised Installer’ scheme.

A-PLUS Network from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. Announces Top Collision Repairers The Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp (SWAFC) A-Plus™ Network is an exclusive group of collision repair specialists who reflect the industry’s highest standards. These leading shop owners and their facilities are part of the brand’s leading value added program that combines comprehensive business solutions to help them improve customer service, employee growth, insurance relationships, process refinement, productivity and profitability.

SCRS issues position statement on damage assessment The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) issued the following position statement on damage disclosure.

Chaplane approved by Porsche Chaplane Accident Repair Centre in Colchester is the first Porsche Centre Approved Bodyshop, in the history of the awards programme to have won the title of Porsche Centre Approved Bodyshop of the Year in two consecutive years, winning in 2008 and again in 2009.

Office of Fair Trading launches market study into the sale of second-hand cars The OFT has today launched a short market study into the sale of second-hand cars. The study follows concerns about the large number of consumer complaints relating to the sector. Last year, more than 68,000 consumers complained to Consumer Direct about issues with second-hand car sales. Concerns around defective vehicles, services and potentially misleading selling are consistently among the top complaints to the government-funded advice service.

Penske Truck Leasing to offer collision management solution Claims InSite Penske Truck Leasing now offers Claims InSite, a collision management solution, to complement its North America truck collision repair centers.

Complaints, court cases credited with pushing regulatory action against GEICO An assertive stance among an ever-widening collection of California collision repairers is being credited with obtaining potentially significant action from state insurance regulators regarding alleged instances of steering and underpayments. The shop owners encouraged and assisted their customers in filing successful small claims court cases regarding short-pays, and they helped file a series of affidavits from drivers who felt they were being steered toward selecting particular repairers.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car launches direct hire service Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced the launch of a new not-at-fault direct hire model for insurers. The model provides insured drivers involved in not-at-fault accidents with a way to access their rights to mobility and access to justice, whilst ensuring this is delivered in a simple, fair, cost efficient and transparent way to the insurance companies.

Boom in DIY car repairs More motorists are attempting basic car maintenance during the credit crunch, according to a survey.

Kwik-Fit trials smart repairs at six centres Kwik-Fit Fleet has started trialling smart repairs for fleet and retail customers at six locations across the UK.

AA signs deal to use WNS AA Accident Management’s car, van and truck fleet customers will use WNS Assistance’s repair network, following a deal between the two companies.

Accident repair millions go begging The economic downturn has led some of the UK’s largest dealer groups to miss a multi-million pound profit opportunity in accident repair.

Axa re-designs motor trade product Axa has re-designed its motor trade product to target both SMEs and the larger corporate market. Axa claims the product is suitable for a range of trades operating within the vehicle service, sales and repair sectors.

Helphire slams late payers Troubled accident management firm Helphire has put the squeeze on insurers to pay bills and said it had received 106% of billed invoices in Q1 compared with just 72% in the same period last year.

Mitchell Releases Latest Edition of Industry Trends Report Mitchell International, Inc., a leading provider of information, workflow and performance management solutions to the property & casualty claims and collision repair industries, released the second quarter 2009 edition of its Industry Trends Report (ITR)—the company’s quarterly publication that highlights industry-related trends, news items and statistics.

California Congresswoman opposes convoluted steering bill California Congresswoman Jackie Speier wrote a letter to California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner opposing Assembly Bill 1200, which she said would undue consumer protection laws related to steering.

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