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NORTHEASTERN NEWS
- Auto Care Association Responds to Alliance for Automotive Innovation Lawsuit in Massachusetts
- COMMENTARY: Implications as Massachusetts Updates its Vehicle Right to Repair Law
- Pennsylvania Tightens Mask Mandate, Enacts New Travel Rules as Virus Surges
- Car Part Thefts Plague Rome, NY, Businesses
- Massachusetts Voters Vote Yes on Right to Repair Bill
Northeastern News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine
Mercedes-Benz USA Ranked One of Best Places to Work in NJ
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced April 27 that for the second consecutive year, it has been ranked one of the "Best Places to Work in New Jersey" according to NJBIZ Magazine, New Jersey's primary business journal covering the state. This award was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New Jersey, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The award program, created in 2005, is produced by NJBIZ and sponsored by Gibbons, P.C. and Novo Nordisk and is in partnership with Garden State Council SHRM, The New Jersey State Chamber, Employers Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
Auto Insurance Fraud in NY Remains at Crisis Levels & the ‘Fraud Tax’ Exceeds $200 Million for second consecutive year
Allstate responded April 26 to the Insurance Information Institute’s (III) announcement that fraud and abuse in New York State’s no-fault auto insurance system remains at crisis levels. III also revealed the estimated ‘fraud tax’ that New Yorkers paid in 2010 was $204 million—an amount exceeding $200 million for the second consecutive year. The New York State Senate Insurance Committee is holding a hearing on April 26 to examine the issue more closely.
Krista Conte, New York spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company, said in response to the III announcement:
"We agree with the Insurance Information Institute that the scale of fraud and abuse in New York State's no-fault auto insurance system today has reached crisis levels. Not only is no-fault fraud (auto accident fraud) costing New York consumers and insurers hundreds of millions of dollars, it puts drivers at risk.
"Those who would commit this type of crime are taking advantage of the broken no-fault system and they are organized, calculating and part of a big business. In essence, the perpetrators of this crime are imposing a 'fraud tax' on honest, hard working New Yorkers by gaming the auto insurance system.
"Without the support of lawmakers, incidents of fraud will continue to increase. Responsible citizens are the victims. We urge lawmakers to enact comprehensive, meaningful no-fault insurance reform that puts citizens of New York first."
New York is in an Auto Accident Fraud Crisis, Broken Laws Need to be Fixed Now, NYIA to Testify at Senate Hearing
Immediate reform of New York's fraud-riddled no-fault automobile insurance system is needed to stop criminals from cheating the state's citizens out of hundreds of millions of dollars a year, says the New York Insurance Association, Inc. (NYIA).
In testimony prepared for delivery April 26 at the New York State Senate Insurance Committee regarding no-fault auto insurance fraud, Ellen Melchionni, president of NYIA, identifies how the broken no-fault auto laws are forcing New Yorkers to paying for the fraudulent activities of criminals. Costs are spiraling out of control because bogus medical mills and unscrupulous medical providers, predominantly in the New York City area, are billing for treatments that were never performed, unnecessary or excessive.
"Criminals are committing rampant fraud, imposing a 'fraud tax' on honest, hardworking New Yorkers," Melchionni said. "Meaningful, comprehensive reform of the laws is necessary to fix the broken system that criminals are blatantly exploiting for their personal gain. There is not a silver bullet to solve this problem. Auto accident fraud is a moving target. The state needs to be vigilant in fighting this vast problem and cracking down on criminals who have created a 'big business' of fraud to cash in at the expense of New York residents."
"NYIA supports the substantive reform introduced by Sen. James Seward and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, S2816A/A6286," Melchionni said. "This bill contains numerous remedies including giving insurance carriers adequate time to investigate fraud, encouraging efficient and fair settlement of disputes and creating tougher penalties for fraud."
"NYIA also supports two bills that would help stop staged auto accidents," Melchionni said. "We believe the majority of staged accidents occur during the first 60 days of a newly issued policy. Sen. Martin Golden and Assemblyman Carl Heastie have introduced S4507/A6346A, which would allow insurers to cancel new policies purchased with phony checks or credit cards—minimizing the opportunity for fraud. Another piece of legislation, S1685 sponsored by Sen. Seward, was passed in the Senate and now needs to be taken up in the Assembly by passage of A6177 sponsored by Assemblyman David Weprin, to create a necessary deterrent for criminals who prey on innocent motorists by staging car crashes."
"If there is not comprehensive reform, we are concerned that the present crisis will become progressively worse, leading to a system that is not only broken, but beyond repair," Melchionni said.
The New York Insurance Association (NYIA®) is a state trade association that has represented the property and casualty insurance industry for more than 125 years. For more information visit www.nyia.org.
SOURCE New York Insurance Association
SCRS Industry Achievement Awards: Winners Include NY’s Ed Kizenberger and Greg Coccaro
On March 16, 2011 the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) held its Annual Awards Banquet at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands in Secaucus, New Jersey. As always, the highlight of the event was the presentation of the SCRS Industry Awards, through which the Society recognizes those that demonstrate outstanding service and achievement within the collision repair industry.
“Two Hawaiian words characterize these awards and their recipients,” explained Dale Matsumoto, chairman of the SCRS Awards Committee. “The first, ‘aloha,’ is familiar to us as a greeting and farewell; but it also can be used to mean the giving of one’s self-a lifestyle encompassing a life of giving, sharing, caring and love.”
“The second, ‘kina’ole,” means flawless-as in doing the right thing for the right reason with the right feeling. Most individuals can, and will, do the rights things; but it is the deep feelings in our heart that makes us to things, for the right reason. This year’s winners embody the meaning of both these words.”
Below is a summary of this year’s awards, their recipients, and the achievement being recognized.
New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program Works with AASP/NJ at Northeast Trade Show
The New Jersey Green Automotive Repair Program (NJGARP) announced in September that the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) joined them as a new organizational partner.
The NJGARP program, launched in April 2009, encourages the State’s automotive repair facilities—including dealerships, independent shops and, soon, auto body shops-—to implement environmentally-friendly business practices and become certified as “green” businesses.
“AASP/NJ is very proud to join with the other organizations in NJGARP as a partner in promoting environmentally-sound business practices within the body repair industry,” said Charles Bryant, Executive Director of the AASP/NJ. “The group has done tremendous work in its first year and I know that our members will be committed to helping promote processes that are good for the environment, good for consumers and good for business.”
AAA Urges Passage of Texting Ban, Graduated Licensing Program in Pennsylvania
Citing statistics that show highway fatalities increased in Pennsylvania last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic has urged area lawmakers to support proposals that would strengthen teen driver and seatbelt laws and ban texting, according to reports made by Pennsylvania's Montgomery News.
“There is legislation in Harrisburg that we’ve been urging legislators to support,” Rick Remington, AAA’s Philadelphia manager of public and government affairs, said.
Specifically, AAA Mid-Atlantic urged Southeast Pennsylvania legislators to support House Bill 9, introduced earlier this year by state Rep. Kathy Watson, R-144.
The bill would expand training requirements before a teenager could take a test for his or her license, increasing behind-the-wheel training from the current 50 hours to 65 hours. Ten of those hours would have to be at night and five of those would have to be during inclement weather, according to Watson’s proposal.
House Bill 9 also would limit the number of teen passengers to one in a vehicle operated by the holder of a junior driver’s license, those ages 16-1/2 to 18, with exceptions for family members.
More...
PPG Announces Miller Auto Parts & Supply Company as 2010 Platinum Distributor of the Year
PPG has named Miller Auto Parts & Supply Company, Inc., as its 2010 Platinum Distributor of the Year. The award was announced at PPG’s annual Platinum Distributor Conference, Feb. 24-27 at Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Fla. Charlie Lightner, president of the Huntingdon, Pa.-based distributor, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
“I am extremely elated and very proud of our entire organization and thank PPG for this award,” said Lightner. “I attribute our success to our two general managers, Jamey Robertson and Jim McGonigle, and our 250 employees. They’re very knowledgeable and we get tremendous support from everyone at PPG. This is wonderful recognition for everyone’s efforts.”
Bob Wenzinger, director of the PPG Platinum Distributor program, presented the award to Lightner.
AASP-NJ’s NORTHEAST 2011 Show Fills the Aisles at the Meadowlands
Friday through Sunday, March 18–20, body shop owners and operators and their mechanical counterparts met at the 34th annual Northeast™ 2011 show at the Meadowlands. Northeast™ is the region’s largest automotive repair show with hundreds of booths on exhibit.
AASP/NJ’s Northeast™ 2011 Trade Show—A Wealth of Information for Shops
I had the recent pleasure of attending my first Northeast 2011 Trade Show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ, on Friday and Saturday, March 18–19, 2011. For the benefit of those who were unable to attend I’ll do my best to summarize some of the presentations here, but all who are able should plan to attend next year. It’s a very worthwhile event and a great value for collision repairers.
To view a PDF of this article please CLICK HERE.
Waterborne Panel Sponsored by BASF
With pending regulations in the Northeast which will very likely mandate adopting waterborne paint to minimize VOCs, many shop owners have questions about converting to waterborne systems. Many of those regulations will come from the Ozone Transport Commission, a coalition of eleven East Coast states and the District of Columbia which advises the EPA on regional solutions to air pollution. The OTC has adopted a model rule, which is based on the recently adopted Delaware rule. Delaware, which is a member of the OTC, has already set the following allowable VOC content for various refinish products: Primer: 2.1 lbs./gal; Clear coating: 2.1; Base coat: 3.5; Multicolor coat: 5.7; Sealer: 5.4; Single-stage coat: 2.8.
The American Coatings Association’s Automotive Refinish Coalition has urged the OTC to move forward with adoption of the Delaware rule, which is based on the California mandates, for all its member states.
AASP-Pennsylvania Holds Quarterly Delegates Meeting
The Alliance of Automotive Service Professionals of Pennsylvania (AASP-PA) has over 2,000 members across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Each of the 34 active chapters holds their own monthly meetings, and provides two delegates to represent their chapter at the quarterly delegates meeting. AASP-PA held this quarter’s delegates meeting on February 12 in Harrisburg.
Items discussed included AASP-PA’s upcoming TechTrain 2011, the association’s annual training weekend, which will be held on March 26–27 at the Grantville Holiday Inn. New instructors include John Forro with two mechanical seminars and Tim McDonnell, David Rogers, and Gary Gunn with management seminars. Tim McDonnell, Training Manager with Mitchell 1, will give the breakfast keynote. There are 13 seminars scheduled for the weekend so far.