Massachusetts Auto Body Association Telling Repairers “The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up”

For Immediate Release:
May, 2007

Massachusetts Auto Body Association, Inc.
20 East Street, Hanover, MA 02339
(781) 826-0553 • (800) ITS-MABA • Fax (781) 826-0953
Email: mail@massautobody.org
Website: www. massautobody.org or www.itsmaba.com

For Information Contact:
Stephen Regan
MABA: 781-826-0553
Cell: 617-257-1222

Repairers Encouraged to Attend
May 9 th Hearing

On May 9 th in Boston, the Massachusetts legislature’s Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing to accept testimony on numerous bills that affect the collision repair industry. In order to ensure that legislators understand how important these bills are to the collision repairer industry, the Massachusetts Auto body Association (MABA) is encouraging repairers to attend and voice their opinion.

With faxes, phone calls, letters, and articles MABA is on a campaign to educate their membership, and non-members as well, about the importance of political involvement. This effort comes on the heels of a successful political campaign by MABA to get the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance to support a regulation change that will make it easier for shops to be paid through use of a manual or documentation for paint and materials charges rather than an arbitrary formula of dollars times hours by insurers.

“Whether we like it or not, our industry is highly regulated due to the involvement of insurance, and when these laws change they can, and will, affect how collision repairers conduct business, and how profitable their businesses will be,” said MABA spokesman Stephen Regan. “I have heard legislators often use the phrase ‘the world is run by those who show up’ to describe what issues they pay the most attention to. Therefore, it is critically important that legislators are aware of repairers support or opposition to the many legislative proposals offered every year,” added Regan.

During the May 9 th hearing 7 bills that have been filed by MABA will be heard. One bill, HB 1051, is a comprehensive reform bill that addresses steering, shop equipment requirements, electronic supplements, labor rates, bonding, and other concerns. The full list of MABA bills is below.

MABA Filed Bills:

House 945 AN ACT RELATIVE TO AUTOMOBILE REPAIR PARTS

House 947 AN ACT RELATIVE TO ARBITRATION FOR AUTOMOBILE

INSURANCE PROPERTY DAMAGE

House 1045 AN ACT RELATIVE TO UNFAIR CLAIM SETTLEMENT PRACTICES IN A CONSUMER'S RIGHT OF CHOICE IN COLLISION AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS

House 1046 AN ACT RELATIVE TO PROTECTING A CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO CHOICE IN COLLISION AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS

House 1047 AN ACT RELATIVE TO LABOR RATES FOR MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRS

House 1049 AN ACT RELATIVE TO AUTOMOBILE INSURERS AND APPRAISERS

House 1051 AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE REPAIR OF DAMAGED MOTOR VEHICLES

In addition, a labor rate bill (House 1085) filed on behalf of the AASP MA/RI chapter and Central Mass Auto Rebuilders Association (CMARA), which MABA has been supporting will also be heard. Recently, there were several well-attended meetings held around the state to learn about the bill and its implications. This is a chance for collision repairers to let the legislature know how they feel about the labor rate issue and this proposal.

The insurance industry fights their battles with money in the form of campaign contributions. But shops have something more powerful: votes. If the legislators see a room filled with supporters, they cannot ignore the issue or bury it. This does not mean that each and every shop must testify. Just their presence at the hearing sends a strong message that the industry wants these issues addressed.

“It is important that the collision repair industry show its political strength at the time these bills are being considered by the legislature,“ said MABA president Ed Nalewanski. “All legislative committees are influenced to some extent by what occurs during their hearings. If we are able to pack the room with supporters of our legislation, it will go a long way toward generating support among legislators,” he added.

The hearing will begin at 1:00 PM and will be held in Room A-2 at the State House in Boston, MA. MABA is asking all shops that can to arrive at least an hour or two early and if possible meet with your local legislators and seek their support for these and other bills they want passed.

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