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- Reviver, Future Automotive Group Announce Agreement to Sell Digital License Plates
- G & C Auto Body, Allstate, State Farm, NABC Donate Refurbished Vehicles to 2 CA Recipients
- Ogden Auto Color Joins Wesco Group
- HGreg.com Ramps Up West Coast Expansion with Acquisition of 2 L.A. Nissan Storefronts
- Hawaiian Tourists Renting U-Hauls Due to Car Rental Shortage
Western News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
CAA Says "Help Stop More Tax Increases"
The CAA has released an appeal to its members which reads as follows:
You may have read about the Commission on the 21st Century Economy, a blue ribbon tax panel tasked with finding ways to modernize California’s tax system.
What hasn’t gotten much news media attention are some of the specific tax changes that are very alarming for California taxpayers. Proposals under serious consideration include a property tax change that could lead to higher taxes for employers and higher rents for small businesses and average Californian and a doubling of the state gas tax that would cost billions every year.
CAA Benefit: Tiger Gas
Effective Sept. 16, Tiger Natural Gas Company has partnered with the California Autobody Association (CAA) on a Third Party Natural Gas Program to benefit its members.
LAST Chance---A Veto on AB 1200?
AB 1200 (Hayashi) narrowly passed in the CA Assembly the evening of Sept. 10 by a vote of 41-19.
The bill is now on the governor's desk awaiting his signature or veto.
AB1200 would allow insurers to legally steer customers even after they have specifically chosen a body shop.
Both California body shop associations and many consumer groups are urging shop owners and consumers to call, fax, and email their opposition to AB1200 to the governor and ask for a veto:
AB1200, backed by auto insurers, wins key vote, will likely pass Assembly
The LA Times is reporting that AB 1200 will likely be approved by the California Assembly, based on the Assembly passing a previous version, and will likely go to the Governor next week.
Consumer Watchdog Publishes 'Top Ten Reasons Not to Trust Mercury Insurance'
Consumer Watchdog says it has "heard from consumers who felt they were mistreated by Los Angles-based Mercury Insurance Company. Our advocates and attorneys have observed Mercury's efforts to cheat consumers and avoid accountability through the Legislature, before state insurance regulators, and in the courts. For these reasons, Consumer Watchdog believes that consumers cannot trust Mercury Insurance. Here are the top 10 reasons why you cannot trust Mercury."
Auto Insurer Contracts Shed Light On A.B. 1200
Opponents of Assembly Member Mary Hayashi’s (D-Hayward) auto insurance industry-sponsored legislation, A.B. 1200, released a set of documents today they claim show the intent of Hayashi’s bill is profit for insurers, not consumer information or safety.
click for link to Consumer Watchdog Floor Alert and Mercury Insurance and AIG documents
More...
Auto Body Fraud Hearing Flusters Chair Mary Hayashi
On Aug. 25, Mary Hayashi chaired a hearing of the State Assembly to investigate fraud in the auto body industry in California. The hearing is closely related to AB 1200, which narrowly failed on the Senate floor during a 19-17 “Aye to Noe” vote on Aug. 24. Even though the vote was 19 in favor, the bill needed a 21 vote majority to pass. The bill was approved for “reconsideration,” which means it can either be voted on again, or it dies. This bill was also taken out of order. Insurance companies are lobbying very hard for this bill.
AB 1200 (Hayashi) Loses Close Senate Vote - Bill Granted Reconsideration
Bill Status: AB 1200 (Hayashi) was narrowly defeated on the Senate floor on August 24th. But, the bill was granted reconsideration, so victory is not yet assured. The legislation passed the Senate Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee by a vote of 8 to 1, with 3 abstentions on July 9th.
California's AB 1200 Takes Away Consumer Protection
“Unfortunately, AB1200 has been subject to a disinformation campaign led by those who have a vested interest in not allowing insurers to discuss these options with their claimants. These include trial lawyers who sometimes file questionable or frivolous lawsuits related to auto body shop repair.”
—Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi
In a piece written for the San Francisco Chronicle Open Forum on Aug. 19, Hayashi (photo left) asserted that AB1200 was under attack from a “disinformation campaign.” When looking at the facts of the bill it becomes clear that there is an abundance of disinformation on the bill, largely emanating from Assemblywoman Hayashi and the bill’s insurance company bankrollers.
The Bill
Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi has authored a bill (AB 1200) that is meant to undo California’s anti-steering consumer protections. Hayashi’s bill is sponsored and supported by the auto insurance industry. The insurance industry supporters maintain that this bill allows insurance companies to better inform their policyholders about the benefits of DRPs. Uniformly opposing Hayashi’s bill are consumer advocacy groups.
Battle Over Assembly Bill 1200 Intensifies-- Bill’s Author Challenges Collision Repairers' Integrity
The author of AB 1200, a bill that would make it easier for insurers to steer customers, will chair a legislative hearing on auto body repair fraud on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 2 pm in Room 126 of the State Capitol, Sacramento. The CRA---which is opposed to the bill---will request an opportunity to testify before the bill’s author, Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi who runs the powerful Assembly Business and Professions Committee.
“We resent the tone of the author who [implies] that insurers need more control over the repair process because there are too many dishonest collision repairers,” stated Lee Amaradio, CRA president. “ We applaud Congresswoman Jackie Speier for standing in opposition to Assemblywoman Hayashi’s special interest effort to reward insurers by giving them a blank check to strong arm claimants through the claims process. “ Amaradio is asking CRA members to come to the hearing to address any untruths that might be foisted upon committee members. CRA will issue updates on the hearing on August t as they occur.