I want to work with the insurance companies as equals - to be treated like clients. I'm not one of their employees. I understand they have a profit-driven business to run, but we also have profit-driven businesses. There must be a mutual respect between us. If I wanted to be pushed around by a boss, I would have applied for a job, and not gone into business; at least then I would have benefits and a retirement fund.

It is time for insurance companies to open their eyes and see they have a good thing going and they are about to ruin it. Do we want to repair cars for less and less profit and have a boss to boot? Why can't the insurance companies share the savings related to administering their claims process? They used to pay for it entirely.

What if our industry stuck together and started to charge a fee for processing a claim? Would they hire thousands of adjusters and reopen claim centers or would they pay us? We would get paid, because we still save them billions of dollars. I want to be my own boss again, I know what its like to make a profit and turn out a quality product. I'm tired of being threatened, reprimanded and having money deducted from my paycheck. They have become my boss. I don't know about you but I don't like it very much.

Negotiate v. demand

Business people negotiate with one another, these bosses demand! We need to unite as an industry to take a stand that will force the insurance industry to create an easier standardized DRP profile and processes for handling their claims that are less demanding, and less time consuming. At least they should pay us a fee for processing their claims - it's their job!

We need to make changes. Since the insurance companies now have very few adjusters, we should give them back their DRPs nationwide. Would this get their attention? They would be forced to spend billions of dollars to reopen claim centers, and hire thousands of employees; it would have a devastating effect on them. Then the collision industry and insurance companies together would be able to restructure the entire DRP process nationwide with a standard profile and process that works for both of us.

Remember the insurance companies need us as much as we need them. They would respect what we have to say and treat us like the collision business professionals we are, and not like one of their employees. Who's your boss?

In business for 26 years, Lee Amaradio, Jr. is the president and owner of "Faith" Quality Auto Body Inc. in Murrieta, California. With 65 employees, he attributes his success to surrounding himself with good help, claiming to have some of the best office staff and techs in our industry. Amaradio has been in this industry long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. He feels that now is the time for us to unite as an industry before it's to late. He can be reached by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .