☕ ADAS Brew · Free, Every Weekday Morning · Subscribe →
Montana shops sue State Farm over pre/post scan denials. California comment period ends Aug. 24.
ADAS Brew
Grab a cup of coffee and get caught up on all things calibration and body shop.
Scan denials, airbag rules, and recycled part pushback.
Tuesday, August 18 · #73
~2 min read
🤖 ROBO-MARK
Have AI read the newsletter to you. (Definitely not my voice.)
Inbox player not showing? Listen on the web →
Markets
Mobileye$8.93-3.25%YTD -14.46%
Aptiv$49.44-1.20%YTD -35.02%
Tesla$339.60+0.09%YTD -24.49%
Nvidia$221.38-1.61%YTD +18.70%
LKQ Corp$25.20-0.98%YTD -16.56%
Mobileye led the slide with a 3.25% drop while the rest of the board bled red, with Tesla barely holding flat as the only exception.
Data via Yahoo Finance
Good morning, {{firstName}}.

State Farm is facing a Montana class action for systematically denying pre- and post-repair scan charges at independent shops. Meanwhile, California's airbag safety regulations are in the comment phase with six days left to weigh in.

INSURANCE

1. Montana sues State Farm over pre- and post-scan denials

A class action filed in Montana alleges State Farm routinely refuses to pay for pre- and post-repair scans performed at independent collision shops. The lawsuit targets a pattern of denial that affects shops across the state. This matters because scan costs are legitimate repair expenses and belong in every estimate when ADAS systems are involved.

Mark says: Document every scan denial from State Farm this month. You may have evidence for the Montana case or your own fight.

Source: Repairer Driven News / SCRS →

TRAINING

2. California airbag regulations open for comment until Aug. 24

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair proposed new airbag safety regulations that would mandate specific repair and handling protocols. The public comment period closes next Monday. Shops in California should review the proposal and submit feedback if it affects your workflow or compliance costs.

Mark says: If you operate in California, read the proposed rules and comment by Sunday if you have concerns about implementation or cost.

Source: Repairer Driven News / SCRS →

INDUSTRY

3. Automotive Recyclers push back on GM's recycled parts ban

The Automotive Recyclers Association is challenging GM's prohibition on using recycled OEM parts, arguing that GM's own ADAS inspection and calibration standards prove recycled parts are safe when properly validated. The trade group says the ban is overly broad and ignores the data shops already use.

Mark says: GM's recycled parts ban is under pressure. Monitor this closely if you source salvage ADAS sensors or assemblies for repair.

Source: CollisionWeek →

INDUSTRY

4. GCIA hosts supplement bottleneck Zoom meeting Thursday

The Glass, Metal and Glazing Contractors Association is hosting a free call Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. EST to discuss the supplement approval delays hurting shops, customers, and insurers. The session will cover practical steps to speed up the reapproval process and reduce downtime.

Mark says: Join the GCIA call Thursday if supplement delays are eating into your throughput this quarter.

Source: BodyShop Business →

INSURANCE

5. Illinois appraisal rights law takes effect July 1, 2027

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 4104, requiring all auto insurance policies with first-party physical damage coverage to include an appraisal provision starting July 1, 2027. Shops will gain the right to invoke appraisal when insurers and shops disagree on repair cost or scope. Start planning now to brief your estimators.

Mark says: Illinois shops will have appraisal rights in 11 months. Prepare your team to use this tool when supplementing hit a wall.

Source: CollisionWeek →

Denied scan charges, supplement delays, and scope disputes drain your margin every week. Run your last five denials through our free Calibration Denial Audit. Reply with the claim and get an OEM-cited rebuttal you can send straight to the adjuster.

Get a free audit →
📬 Hit reply. Reply: has State Farm denied a pre- or post-scan line on your estimates this year? What reason did they give?

📤 Know a shop that should read this?

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

Forward by emailLinkedInFacebookX

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

👀 Tomorrow: watch the Montana scan denial suit expand, three other states have similar filings in review and State Farm's response is due this week.
ADAS Brew · brew@absoluteadas.com
Unsubscribe

Read more issues in the ADAS Brew archive · or subscribe to get them by email.