Insurance carriers are cutting repair corners harder than ever. This week, MABA called them out publicly, and regulators in North Carolina and Texas are listening. Meanwhile, a major GM-UMTRI study just dropped proof that ADAS features cut injury crashes by up to 57%—which means the tech you're calibrating actually saves lives.
Massachusetts collision shops are reporting pressure from insurers to bypass necessary repair steps to cut costs. The state's auto body association just released a consumer warning list of 10 questions people should ask before choosing a shop—a direct signal that shops are getting squeezed. This matters because shops caught skipping procedures face liability when repairs fail.
Source: BodyShop Business →
A new University of Michigan study analyzed 700,000+ police-reported crashes on 2020–2024 GM vehicles and found advanced driver assistance features significantly reduced injury crash rates. Depending on the feature (collision warning vs. automatic emergency braking), effectiveness ranged from 14% to 57%. This is proof your calibration work directly prevents human harm.
Source: CollisionWeek →
Texas regulators are updating the state's consumer bill of rights to explicitly protect policyholders' right to appraisal when loss amounts are disputed. This gives shops a formal path to challenge lowball estimates from insurers—and regulators are now watching whether carriers actually honor it.
Source: BodyShop Business →
North Carolina's insurance commissioner—a former collision repair lobbyist—told shops at an SCRS meeting to keep reporting insurer violations, despite complaint limitations. The message: regulators are paying attention and want your intel on unfair practices.
Source: SCRS →
Collision shops are claiming State Farm is cutting repair approvals more aggressively than other carriers. SCRS chairman—an A+-rated shop owner—is on record saying the pressure is real. Expect more regulatory scrutiny and potential state investigations.
Source: SCRS →
When you calibrate ADAS, you're not just passing a diagnostic—you're preventing crashes. Train your team on why it matters and how to document every step.
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