According to some auto body repair shops in Indiana, people aren’t being to nice lately when they hit a parked and unattended car.  Hit and run losses seem to be on the rise. Click here for the story.

In West Texas, collision repair shops and insurance agents are seeing more auto insurance policies being non-renewed. This means some damaged vehicles will sit at repair shops until the owner can come up with the repair difference. Click here for the story.

A Pittsburgh man faked an insurance loss stating his motorcycle was stolen and collected $29,000 dollars. Click here for the story.

According to a CNN investigation, insurers seem to be taking a very tough stand on injury claims involving minimal impacts.  Click here to read the entire story.

Since November 1st 2008, here’s the general auto damage severity trending chart by type of loss. The overall trending seems to be heading downward

Data source:  © 2009, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (D)  has requested the Oregon Speaker of the House to introduce H.B. 2186.

This bill’s goal is to “decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.” allegedly. Click here for Bill’s link.

Copart, one of the largest auto salvage companies in the United States just opened it’s 4th facility in Alabama. Click here for the story.

Yesterday, a press release indicated that Nationwide Insurance joined with the Quality Parts Coalition to speak out against a car manufacturer monopoly on replacement collision parts. Click here for the whole story.

The average age of a vehicle deemed a total loss in 2009 is 11 years old.

Data source:  © 2009, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink

Here’s the average loss severity breakdowns by dollar categories in 2009 thus far.

Percent of Losses Under                $500.00      6.2%    

Percent of Losses Under              $1000.00    21.1%

Percent of Losses Under              $1500.00    33.6%

Percent of Losses Under              $2500.00    50.7%

Percent of Losses Over                 $2500.00    49.3%

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Data source:  © 2009, AutoClaims Direct, DirectLink