Repair Act A-803 was passed in New Jersey by more than a 2 to 1 margin. The opponents of the act though are upset. 

**************

Click Here For More.

In a report of 20,000 random files processed through AutoClaims Direct’s Directlink this year the following data was revealed……

Domestic Vehicles    $ 2662.76 Average Severity    OEM parts usage 64.48% percent

Foreign Vehicles       $ 2884.31 Average Severity    OEM parts usage 72.30% percent

*******************

Data source:  © 2008, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink

Over the past year the percentage make up of vehicle repairs show a slight increase in repair & refinish time while frame & mechanical time has dipped. 

Data source:  © 2008, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink

An Alabama auto body shop just finished investing $250 million and is now a “Green” shop. 

**************

Click here for the story.

Here’s another story of auto body shops booming during the tough economic times. More people are holding onto their cars longer and having them repaired.

**********************

Click Here for more.

With the recent announcement that California Governor Schwarzeneger’s proposal to raise 4.4 billion in taxes to reduce a budget shortfall, there is some talk such as……

The Governor’s office said, “Raising taxes is never a good idea, but in this extraordinary situation, there is no question that new revenues must be brought into the state to protect education and vital services. 

The Governor is proposing broadening the Sales and Use Tax to the following services beginning February 1, 2009: appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair, golf, and veterinarian services. 

*****************************

Based on an initial analysis of auto body repairs processed through AutoClaims Direct’s Directlink system for 2008, an increase in the sales tax along with the taxation of labor on auto body repairs would increase overall severity between $95 to $115 per auto damage claim. This is only a preliminary figure but this gives some indication regarding the ramifications of such a move.

Two women in WV plead guilty to insurance fraud. Click here for the story.

An illegal body shop in Milford,MA was shut down Wednesday.. Click here for more.

According to an article we found on ABRN, non insurance auto body work is on the rise.

************

Click here for the news.

The economic crisis has some shops booming while others going out of business. Here’s a story of a small shop weathering the storm.

Click here for more.