In a release by Farmers Insurance this past week, a San Jose body shop owner is going to prison for insurance fraud. 

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Click here for the details.

Current industry parts usage data shows ( Used Parts ) and aftermarket utilization has been increasing with OEM experiencing a downward trend.

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Data source:  © 2008, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink

An interesting look into the current state of the auto repossession industry. The use of technology is helping centralize data and streamline the process. This article gives some insight into the industry.

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Click Here.

California State Assembly Bill 2800 is one to keep an eye on….

This bill allows insurers to apply a different
          rating factor for insurer-verified miles driven annually
          for purposes of automobile insurance rates.

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	CURRENT BILL STATUS

MEASURE	:  A.B. No. 2800
AUTHOR(S)	:  Huffman (Coauthors: Adams, Aghazarian, Berryhill,
	Blakeslee, Plescia, and Smyth) (Coauthors: Senators
	Kehoe, Lowenthal, Maldonado, and Scott).
TOPIC	:  Automobile insurance: rates.
HOUSE LOCATION	:  SEN
+LAST AMENDED DATE  :  08/14/2008

TYPE OF BILL :
                Active
                Non-Urgency
                Non-Appropriations
                2/3 Vote Required
                Non-State-Mandated Local Program
                Fiscal
                Non-Tax Levy

LAST HIST. ACT. DATE:  08/14/2008
LAST HIST. ACTION   :  Read second time, amended, and to third reading.
FILE	:  SEN THIRD READING
FILE DATE	:  08/27/2008
ITEM	:	85

COMM. LOCATION	:  SEN APPROPRIATIONS
COMM. ACTION DATE   :  08/07/2008
COMM. ACTION	:  Do pass as amended.
COMM. VOTE SUMMARY  :  Ayes:   14	Noes: 00	PASS

TITLE	:  An act to amend Section 1861.02 of the Insurance Code,
	relating to insurance.

In the effort to look good driving, 3.8 million women in the United Kingdom forgo their glasses. Those surveyed claim they don’t want to look unattractive behind the wheel.  Nearly 2.1 million have been involved in a collision or close call according to the article.  If those numbers are accurate for the UK, one wonders how many drivers here in the U.S.( men and women ) are driving without the glasses they need.

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Click here for the article.

In a press release by the California Department Of Insurance,  Commissioner Steve Poizner officially made the new pay-as-you-drive insurance available in California.  Privacy rights groups have opposed this but under the new regulations consumers could verify mileage by odometer readings, automotive repair records, or a technological device used to collect mileage data. This new insurance is strictly voluntary. Before the new regulations would take effect, ( sometime likely in 2009 ), it will have to allow for public involvement first.

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Click here for the announcement.

With a difficult economy, reduced auto sales and fewer people driving, the auto parts business is getting more difficult. In a recent article we found, some auto parts makers may be facing bankruptcy.

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Click here for more.

The IRC ( Insurance Research Council )  News Release documents higher injury claim costs when lighter vehicles are involved. 

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Click here for the interesting study.

In article yesterday according to the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Michigan, Higher gas prices may be leading to the dramatic drop in vehicle accident deaths.

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Click here for more.

Experian today released a report documenting nearly 15% of damage vehicles ran through their AutoCheck system had washed titles when re-registered in another state.

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Click here for the full article.