The Governor of Massachusetts finds himself embroiled in a controversy when he cut out a longtime Auto Damage Licensing board  member. Click here for the latest on the story.

Here’s a snapshot of labor rates in the San Fernando Valley area.

Some dealers feeling a little upset?  I guess trusting the Government to follow through and be efficient was a mistake as usual. Dealers simply aren’t getting their money due to poor Government organization and the  inability to process the files quickly.  To think you’d want them to be in control of your health? Click here for the article.

In an article we found,  shop owner Joseph Valarioti who was a member of the state’s auto damage appraiser licensing board was removed from his position.  Valarioti feels the decision was illegal. Click here for the full story.

	COMPLETE BILL HISTORY

BILL NUMBER  : A.B. No. 1200
AUTHOR	: Hayashi
TOPIC	: Motor vehicle insurance: direct repair programs.

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

BILL HISTORY
2009
Aug. 24	Read third time, passage refused.  (Ayes 19. Noes 17.)  Motion to
	reconsider made by Senator Calderon.  Reconsideration granted.
	(Ayes 40. Noes  0.)
Aug. 19	Read second time.  To third reading.
Aug. 18	Read third time, amended.  To second reading.
July 14	Read second time, amended, and to third reading.
July 13	From committee:  Amend, and do pass as amended.  (Ayes  8. Noes  1.)
	(July  9).
July 6	Joint Rule 62(a) suspended.
July 1	In committee:  Hearing postponed by committee.
June 25	From committee chair, with author's amendments:  Amend, and re-refer
	to committee.  Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on
	B., F. & I.
June 11	Referred to Com. on  B., F. & I.
June 2	In Senate.  Read first time.  To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
June 1	Read third time, passed, and to Senate.  (Ayes 78. Noes  0. Page
	1818.)
May 7	Read second time.  To third reading.
May 6	From committee:  Do pass.  (Ayes 10. Noes  0.) (May  6).
Apr. 30	Re-referred to Com. on  INS.
Apr. 29	From committee chair, with author's amendments:  Amend, and re-refer
	to Com. on  INS. Read second time and amended.
Mar. 31	Referred to Com. on  INS.
Mar. 2	Read first time.
Mar. 1	From printer.  May be heard in committee  March  30.
Feb. 27	Introduced.  To print.

Here’s some data reflecting parts usage over the year thus far….

Average Appraisal Value of Foreign Made Vehicles:  $ 2,352

Average Appraisal Value of  U.S.      Made Vehicles:  $ 2,316

Average national labor rate for “Body” work. $ 48.00 per hour

Average total loss %:  22.3 %

Top 3 Reasons Files Take Over 72 hrs:  #1 weekends  # 2 owner not available #3 owner requests later date for inspection.

According to an article we found this morning, The NICB states the 1994 Honda Accord is the most reported stolen vehicle of 2008.  Followed by the 1995 Honda Civic. Click here for the rest of the list.

NADA did a survey and it appears all 3 billion of Government funds have been exhausted for the “Cash for Clunkers” so the organization asked the Government to wrap up the program. Click here for the article we found.

The House in Michigan passed legislation that would have some very stiff penalties for insurers who wrongfully deny claims. Click here for the full story.