Tesla dropped almost 6% and dragged attention its way, while the rest of the board quietly closed green.
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North Carolina shops are calling out their state regulator for one-sided rulings. Meanwhile, California advanced three insurance accountability bills that could reshape how carriers handle repair claims.
INSURANCE
1. NC shops allege Department of Insurance unresponsive to repair concerns
A North Carolina collision shop and the Carolinas Collision Association filed a complaint saying the state insurance regulator dismisses shop input and favors insurer positions. The CCA says recent correspondence shows the DOI won't engage on repair standards or billing disputes. This follows months of escalating tension between shops and carriers in the state.
Mark says: If you're in NC, document every insurer denial and supplement pushback this week. This complaint needs real shop data to stick.
2. California passes three insurance accountability bills to governor
The California legislature approved a package that includes three bills designed to hold insurers accountable on claims handling, privacy, and transparency. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara sponsored the bills. They now go to the governor and could set precedent for other states on how quickly insurers must respond to supplements and deny claims in writing.
Mark says: California shops should track these bills close. Passage gives you OEM and CDI ammo for every estimate fight next year.
Investment bank Stephens Inc. projects a 1% year-over-year decrease in vehicle crashes for June once full data arrives. This modest decline contrasts with earlier 2026 volatility. For shops, flat or slightly down crash activity means tighter margins and higher pressure on labor billing and calibration pricing to maintain revenue.
Mark says: Tighten your scheduling now. Flat volume means you need every job at full labor and every calibration billed clean.
4. Auto Innovators urges Congress to ban Chinese connected vehicles
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation asked Congress to permanently ban the sale, import, and manufacturing of Chinese connected vehicles, citing cybersecurity and data privacy risks. No timeline for legislative action. For collision shops, this signals long-term uncertainty around repair procedures for Chinese-brand EVs entering the market.
Mark says: Monitor OEM training portals for any Chinese EV repair bulletins. If they land, calibration complexity and liability will rise fast.
5. NC State research shows composite metal foam could boost frontal crash safety
North Carolina State University researchers found that composite metal foam (CMF) could significantly improve frontal vehicle collision safety and reduce injury severity. The material is still in study phase and not yet production. If OEMs adopt CMF in bumper structures or frame rails, repair procedures and part costs will shift.
Mark says: File this for future reference. When CMF parts hit OEM catalogs, your estimate software and labor guides will need updates fast.
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