NEXT MEETING:
L.I.A.B.R.A.
The Long Island
Auto Body
Repairmen's
Association
425 E. John St.,
Lindenhurst, NY
11757
631/941-9647
631/592-2804
631/888-5577
www.liabra.com
ACT WITH KNOWLEDGE
- STAY CONNECTED
WITH YOUR INDUSTRY
All Members, Spouses
& Employees are
Welcome to Attend &
Participate
February 19, 2008 at
Penn Toyota 2400
Northern Blve,
Greenvale, NY.
~~~~~~~~~~~
NYSACTA
Lobby Day April 8,
2008
Press Release: The
New York State Auto
Collision
Technicians
Association, (NYSACTA)
held its annual
Lobby Day in the
State Capitol on May
1. Lobby Day is one
day a year where
auto body shop
owners and managers
from all over NY
descend on Albany
and deliver
pre-packaged folders
to Assembly members
and Senators. This
year the focus was
over concerns that
some insurance
companies are
violating state
regulations by
systematically
engaging in the use
of word tracks aimed
at one thing;
Bullying consumers
into using shops
controlled or owned
by insurance
companies. This
practice is
blatantly illegal.
Illegal steering is
causing auto body
shops to take
serious action. The
lobby day
participants also
distributed a DVD of
a local news story
highlighting a
consumer who fought
for his rights
against illegal
steering.
Over 200 Auto Body
shops owners,
managers and
technicians met with
legislators and
their staff during
the day. The oldest
member attendee aged
75 and the youngest
16. Mike Orso,
President of NYSACTA
said, “ it was great
to see such a huge
turn out and the
more than three
generations of shops
represented. Our
trade is not a big
box trade and is for
the most part still
represented by
generations of
family owned and
locally operated
businesses that are
deeply rooted to
communities across
NY. Our legislators
know us by name and
trust our integrity
as we do theirs.”
NYSACTA members met
with over 100
members of the New
York State
Legislature to
express concerns of
unfair claims
practices. Ed
Kizenberger, NYSACTA
Executive Director,
said, “ the illegal
steering is so
blatant that
consumers are being
mislead as soon as
they call the claim
in by some insurers.
It has to stop.
While we are very
concerned over
unfair caps and
labor rate
suppression the
steering is out of
control. “ This year
you feel the energy
of the new
administration and
that gave the whole
day a new feeling of
optimism.” NYSACTA
has made a number of
attempts to move the
NYS Insurance
Department to take
action against
insurers who
participate in
unfair claims
practices over the
years and has put
pressure on
lawmakers to create
legislation intended
to protect consumers
from unfair
insurance tactics.
NYSACTA has long
believed that the NY
auto body shop
owners could be a
stronger industry
voice united under a
single message and
illegal steering
seems to be that
common thread. No
matter whether a
shop is part of a
direct repair
program or non-DRP,
illegal steering is
a big concern.
Orso said, “while
steering is
perpetuated by the
DRP arrangement
shops cannot be on
all of them and
sooner or later a
shop loses a few
jobs to illegal
steering and gets
mad. That's when we
get a call. Only
then does the issue
hit home.” NYSACTA
is a huge group of
united owners.
Kizenberger said,
“Every participating
member understands
the importance of
these issues. Today
I think we got our
point across, I
think they are
listening now.”
Orso said, “Every
single law maker was
responsive to our
goals and has
offered to work with
us. “Assemblyman
William Magnarelli
and Senator John
Defransisco who
actually sit on
opposite sides of
the aisle have each
sponsored
legislation that is
aimed at putting a
stop to illegal
steering and capping
claim allowances.
“Orso said, “ there
is no good reason
for insurers to
steer consumers or
to cap claim
allowances other
than control and
greed. If insurers
control the claim
consumers more than
likely will lose.”
Additional meetings
are also planned
with the NY State
Insurance Department
and the N.Y. State
Attorney General
NYSACTA pointed out
the cost of lost tax
revenue related to
short changing
consumers. The sales
tax and income tax
alone lost is in the
$60 million dollar
range says
Kizenberger.”
For additional
Information call Ed
Kizenberger
631-941-9647
