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Liability exposure grows as California moves forward. Plus: obvious door handles on the horizon.
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Regulation tightens; liability gaps widen.
Tuesday, July 28 · #59
~1 min read
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California's bandit towing bill just cleared committee with body shops in scope, and NHTSA is writing new rules on door handles. Both hit your liability and operations this fall.

INDUSTRY

1. California 'bandit towing' bill advances with shops in crosshairs

The bill cleared Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously and heads to Appropriations. It restricts vehicle sales before towing disputes are resolved. Collision shops could face liability if they accept a towed vehicle without proper documentation or hold it during a title dispute.

Mark says: Add intake checklist question about tow origin and lien status before accepting any vehicle. Document the answer in every estimate.

Source: Repairer Driven News →

OEM

2. NHTSA starts rulemaking on obvious door handles for all vehicles

Federal regulators are moving forward with a rule requiring an obvious door egress system on every motor vehicle. This addresses design flaws that trap occupants during emergencies. Repair procedures and parts availability will follow once the rule is finalized.

Mark says: Watch for recall campaigns on 2020-2025 models; start flagging hidden door latch designs in your intake now.

Source: Repairer Driven News →

INDUSTRY

3. SCRS liability survey reveals gaps shops are missing

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists meetings surfaced liability exposure that most shops don't recognize. The Carolinas Collision Association shared specific gaps in coverage and procedures. Details are still emerging but point to documentation and supplement practices.

Mark says: Pull your last 10 estimates and check supplement attachments include OEM procedure citations and insurer denials with rebuttal evidence.

Source: Autobody News →

TSB

4. OEM procedure gaps force technicians to interpret calibration rules

Many repair procedures still leave technicians and estimators guessing rather than following a clear binary process. The gap between what the OEM publishes and what shops actually use is widening. This creates both liability and missed supplement revenue.

Mark says: Build a one-page ADAS work-order template that names the OEM procedure document by number and links every labor line to it.

Source: BodyShop Business →

INSURANCE

5. UK insurers warn repair cost squeeze will last through 2027

Motor insurers across the UK are projecting losses of 8% this year and again in 2027 as repair costs outpace premiums. This signals pressure on supplement approval and cycle time expectations globally. U.S. carriers are watching the same trend.

Mark says: Tighten estimating discipline this fall; supplements will face harder scrutiny but OEM cites will hold. Front-load your documentation now.

Source: CollisionWeek →

Denied a supplement or ADAS calibration charge? Use our free Calibration Denial Audit. Reply with the denial, get a one-page OEM-cited rebuttal in 60 seconds. No sales pitch.

Get a free audit →
📬 Hit reply. Reply: did a carrier reject a calibration line this month citing "no OEM requirement", which system and which carrier?

📤 Know a shop that should read this?

One forward could save them three hours of denial fights this month.

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Published by Absolute ADAS. Mark Fowler, owner. Mobile ADAS calibration in Western Washington. 50,000+ calibrations on the floor.

👀 Tomorrow: SCRS drops more specifics on those liability gaps plus watch California's Appropriations vote timeline on the bandit towing bill.
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