Hunter Auto Body Inc.

Report finds State Farm, Allstate most hit by insurance litigation in 2021 - Repairer Driven News

Remember this when dealing with, or looking for an insurance carrier.

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2022/07/21/report-finds-state-farm-allstate-most-hit-by-insurance-litigation-in-2021/

Report finds State Farm, Allstate most hit by insurance litigation in 2021 - Repairer Driven News State Farm, the nation’s largest auto insurer, is also far and away the most sued, according to a recently-released report by data provider Lex Machina....

Another one ready to go home!!!

Norma J. Propst was so upset that someone stole her vehicle. It was recovered and we restored it following only manufacturer requirements!

Thank you for the business!

Important message to our clients!!!:

Due to the ongoing logistics problems we have seen a drastic increase in part procurement times. In order to mitigate vehicles from sitting for weeks waiting on parts we are implementing a new process. In some cases we are waiting 5-7 weeks for parts.

-We will be scheduling pre repair disassembly appointments to put together a parts list.
-The vehicle will be put back together so you may drive your vehicle(unless the vehicle is completely usafe to drive).
-The repair agreement will be signed and a down payment for parts will be taken after the afore mentioned step.
-Once we have the parts we will schedule your vehicle for the full repairs.

We believe this process will help with the overall customer experience. Less days out of your vehicle and a much lower probability of rental coverage expiring.

Thank you for your continued trust in our facility! Please contact me personally with any concerns or questions.

Jack R Hunter
3143697677

The Hunter Auto Body crew would like to wish our customers a Merry Christmas!!!

Five Automotive Trends to Watch in 2021: From Electric Vehicle Expansion to the increased prevalence of collision repair diagnostics, there are a few repair trends that COVID-19 has impacted. For you as a driver, you may want to pay attention to what is becoming more acceptable and what is not.

For instance, another trend is an increased focus on glass becoming a core component of proper safe repair. Not all repair shops will value glass repair as such and put your safety systems at risk.

Read full article --> https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/industry-news/item/21940-five-automotive-trends-to-watch-in-2021.html?start=0

#2021

The latest vehicle recalls include the following manufacturers: Volvo, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and Ford...Read the full article in the link below for the latest vehicle recalls.

Recall Watch: The Latest Automotive Safety Recalls - https://autonxt.net/latest-automotive-safety-recalls/

"Also, as vehicle options and technology become more complex, repairs become more costly. That's why auto service contracts and vehicle protection products can help save consumers so much down the road."

Read the full article here: https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/industry-news/item/21931-as-auto-prices-increase-service-contracts-gap-waivers-and-protection-products-become-even-more-important.html

Its crucial your body shop follows OEM repair procedures because recent findings show that your vehicle's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems may still be impaired after an accident even if it did not throw a diagnostic trouble code. Its important to check the vehicle completely after a collision to ensure all of these features are in working order.

Read full article: https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2021/01/22/airpro-collision-advice-adas-issues-possible-after-crash-without-dtcs-present/

How do you feel about having insurance bundled with your car payment when you buy a new one?

Read the full article and the pros and cons of both here: https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2021/01/19/mdgo-in-pc360-oem-auto-insurance-leaves-carriers-in-precarious-position-including-those-participating/

When OEM insurance hits the market, auto insurers are left to pick up the tab:
The latest announcement of Common Motors’ (GM) return to auto insurance coverage with the launch of its usage-based insurance coverage program, OnStar Insurance (delivered with American Household Insurance coverage), didn’t come as a shock in most circles. Again in 2007, GM discontinued a enterprise into auto insurance coverage because of the monetary local weather — the Nice Recession — and doubts of whether or not auto insurance coverage prospects would truly buy protection from unique gear producers (OEMs).

Read more --> http://gekkotimes.com/2021/01/11/when-oem-insurance-hits-the-market-auto-insurers-are-left-to-pick-up-the-tab/

A ValuePenguin “State of Auto Insurance in 2021” report announced last week estimated that auto insurance rates this year represent a 1.7 percent decline — the first decrease in more than a decade.

“Rates Will Rebound in 2022 and Here’s Why: As Americans get back to normal, auto insurance rates will rise again,” ValuePenguin wrote. “The increase in distracted driving, and more expensive claims from smart technology in vehicles will continue to drive rate increases.” (Emphasis ValuePenguin’s.)

Read full article: https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2021/01/14/valuepenguin-auto-insurance-rates-dropped-for-first-time-in-years/

#2021

Automakers have promised for years that they would soon unleash a flood of battery-electric vehicles. That’s happening now, though it’s still a steady flow more than a gush of new models. EVs are moving from novelty status to mainstream in the 2021 model year as more manufacturers jump into territory that has been dominated by Tesla, and they include the types of vehicles that Americans crave: SUVs and pickup trucks. Rest assured that more are on the way. This will likely change some collision repair methods.

Read full article: https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-new-with-electric-vehicles-for-2021-431496/

#2021

Vehicles equipped with rear automatic-emergency braking (AEB) had 28% fewer property damage liability claims and 10% fewer collision claims, according to research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI.)

Read more: https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/industry-news/item/21841-rear-automatic-brake-systems-can-reduce-fender-bender-claims.html

A vehicle is one of the most significant purchases a person will make during their lifetime. OnStar Insurance Services intends to leverage its unique understanding of the vehicles GM produces to offer a secure, fair, personalized and easy-to-use digital insurance experience for drivers.

Read more --> https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/general-motors-aims-to-transform-the-auto-insurance-industry-with-onstar-insurance/

Seat Belt Issue Prompts Recall of 624,200 GM Vehicles: Seat belts are critical to passenger safety, and an unsecured seat belt bracket in the front-row center seating position of approximately 624,200 GM vehicles is prompting a recall.

Read more: https://www.cars.com/articles/seat-belt-issue-prompts-recall-of-624200-gm-vehicles-431093/

Nissan recently released an updated statement voicing its support for OEM repair procedures. "It is recommended to refer to [Nissan's] Electronic Service Manual prior to any repair or replacement to ensure that the proper inspection and repair guidelines are being performed by a qualified technician."

Read full article and repair manual here --> https://www.fenderbender.com/articles/15974-nissan-backs-oem-repair-procedures

More than 105,000 Volkswagen Beetles are recalled to replace the driver frontal Takata airbags at risk of exploding.

Read full recall: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/vw-beetles-recalled-replace-takata-airbags.shtml

Happy New Year from all of us at Hunter Auto Body! We hope you have a safe holiday welcoming 2021!

#2021

CCC, Mitchell, Audatex weigh in on panel 'break point' concept: Major paint manufacturers indicate that a body shop must refinish to the natural breaking point in a panel to preserve a paint warranty, and insurers have been responsive to the idea of extending clear to that edge.

Read more - https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2020/12/31/ccc-mitchell-audatex-weigh-in-on-panel-break-point-concept/

“There are various steps involved when you discuss calibration and it’s important to understand and document,” said Darrell Amberson, Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) calibration committee member, as he began describing the business review related to calibration in an industry webinar.

Read more: https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/industry-news/item/21729-a-closer-look-at-calibration-documentation-and-technical-changes.html

Merry Christmas from all of us at Hunter Auto Body! We hope you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season!

#2020

GM recalls 840K vehicles for seat belt, suspension problems

When taking your vehicle to a shop after a collision there are a number of things that shop must think about. Safety should be number 1.

This is why every vehicle we repair gets the required manufacturer inspections completed.

Make sure you are choosing a shop that advocates for you, not the insurer!!

Have a blessed holidays!

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/gm-recalls-840k-vehicles-for-seat-belt-suspension-problems/507-d8768a87-fcf7-4e6b-b512-29b3a1ede38b?fbclid=IwAR29rwj9WkSBP0Rw4sGKPZoBV_hn2yB8KAuUVM_CYN4jUUJwTmh9XFcr1UU

GM recalls 840K vehicles for seat belt, suspension problems GM says the seat belt brackets may not have been secured to the frame, so the belts may not hold people in a crash.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Hunter Auto Body!

We will be closing at 12:30 on Christmas Eve 12/24/20
We will be closed Christmas day 12/25/20

We hope you and your families have a happy and safe holiday season!

OEM procedures might extend to auto body touch-up work too. Read more in the article below about what repair procedures you may need to look out for on your vehicle even if it seems like a minor scratch. There could be additional steps involved to ensure the most safe, correct repair.

Read more --> https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2020/12/18/oem-procedures-might-extend-to-auto-body-touch-up-work-too/

New Nissan position statement: Read OEM repair procedures before auto body repair - “It is recommended to refer to the (Electronic Service Manual) prior to any repair or replacement to ensure that the proper inspection and repair guidelines are being performed by a qualified technician,” Nissan wrote in the Dec. 9 position statement. “… Failure to adhere to these repair guidelines could result in an improper and, in some instances, an unsafe repair.

Read more --> https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2020/12/17/new-nissan-position-statement-read-the-oem-auto-repair-procedures-first/

Dealer, Customer Excitement Builds As All-New F-150 Arrives In Showrooms, Earns Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award.

The Ford F-150 arrives in dealerships nationwide this week, and early sales are indicating that customers can’t wait to start driving the newest version of the F-Series, America’s best-selling truck.

The first sales of the truck have already occurred in the Midwest and F-150 is now on its way to dealers in other parts of the country; the number of retail orders placed is at an all-time high.

Read more --> https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2020/12/08/all-new-f-150-kelley-blue-book-best-buy-award.html

The Future of ADAS and Proper Vehicle Calibration: “There are nearly 2,500 unique static calibration procedures, many are changing mid-model year and back dating to prior years,” said DeBoer. “With this in mind you have to ask, are you sure you have the right procedure?”

All of your vehicle's safety features are part of the ADAS technologies that require additional steps during the collision repair process. Be sure your body shop knows the proper steps to repair these safety features so they can continue to protect you and your passengers.

Read the full article here --> https://www.glassbytes.com/2020/12/the-future-of-adas-and-proper-vehicle-calibration/

Hyundai last week unveiled its “E-GMP” electric vehicle platform and highlighted some of the structural battery protection elements collision repairers might need to restore.

The new architecture is tailored specifically for electric vehicles and is all-wheel drive by default, unless a customer orders rear-wheel drive. Read the full article below if you plan on owning a Hyundai. If you are ever in a collision, you may need to be aware of these new technologies.

Read more --> https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2020/12/09/hyundai-describes-crash-safety-elements-on-new-e-gmp-electric-vehicle-platform/

Kia is recalling about 295,000 vehicles in the US because their engines are at risk of catching fire while driving.

The affected models include some 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles.

Read full recall here -- > https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/cars/kia-recalls-vehicles-engine-fire-risk-trnd/index.html