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When insurers push back, procedures fall out
Tuesday, May 12 · #7
INSURANCE
1. MABA: Insurers pushing shops to skip necessary repairs
The Massachusetts Auto Body Association is warning that insurance pressure is leading collision shops to skip procedures—and they're giving consumers 10 questions to ask before choosing a shop, essentially calling out the problem publicly. This matters because it signals shops are caught between carrier demands and doing the job right. It's a liability and reputation play for shops that don't push back.
Source: BodyShop Business →
INDUSTRY
2. GM study: ADAS cuts injury crashes 14–57% depending on feature
A new University of Michigan study analyzed over 700,000 police-reported crashes on 2020–2024 GM vehicles and found that advanced driver assistance features dramatically reduce injury crashes. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking had the strongest impact. This is the clearest proof yet that ADAS calibration isn't a nice-to-have—it's a safety system that actively prevents injuries.
Source: CollisionWeek →
INSURANCE
3. Texas DOI proposes appraisal right for policyholders in disputes
Texas is updating its consumer bill of rights to include a new right for policyholders to request appraisal when there's disagreement on loss amounts. This is significant because it gives customers another tool to push back on insurer denials and may reduce shop-insurer billing friction—or create new channels for disputes. Watch your Texas peers for how this plays out.
Source: BodyShop Business →
INDUSTRY
4. LKQ: Alternative parts hit 40% utilization in Q1 2026
LKQ reported alternative parts utilization (aftermarket, recycled, refurbished) reached a record 40% in the first quarter. That's a structural shift in what shops are actually installing, driven by carrier cost pressure and customer budgets. If you're not sourcing and pricing alternatives effectively, you're leaving margin on the table.
Source: Repairer Driven News →
INDUSTRY
5. Crash Champions hiring 300 techs in 60 days amid demand surge
The MSO is adding 300 certified technicians (a 10% increase) in two months to handle growing customer demand. That's a signal the market is heating up and consolidators are staffing aggressively. If you're independent and competing on turnaround, this is worth watching—your labor pool is about to get tighter.
Source: BodyShop Business →
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