Contact:
| Angie Wilson
(800) 272-7467, ext. 216
angie@asashop.org |
For Release:
| Immediate
News Bulletin ASA-33
June 22, 2009
|
ASA Revises 'Open Platform' Position Statement
USAA requirement limiting for members
BEDFORD, TEXAS, June 22, 2009 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) board of directors has approved a newly revised position statement proposed by the volunteer leadership of its Collision Division.
The position statement reads: "ASA supports an individual collision business owner's selection of an estimating system that meets the individual's business needs and commends those insurers that allow for the use of an 'open platform.'
"ASA believes the same logic should apply - but is not limited - to management systems, paint systems, parts suppliers (OE, aftermarket and recycled), equipment and customer satisfaction indexing/customer service information programs.
"In situations where collision repair estimates are transposed by insurers, all efforts should be made by the insurer to duplicate the collision repair facility's original document."
The updated position statement emphasizes the business owners' inherent right to select their individual vendors, suppliers, systems and services; and conveys ASA's support for its members in making individual business decisions.
Revision of the position statement was prompted by a USAA requirement for participants in its STARS direct repair program to enroll in a specific customer service information program, at the shop's expense.
When the issue was brought to ASA's attention by members of its Collision Division, a letter was sent to USAA explaining ASA's concerns. ASA has not received a response from USAA.
In the letter, ASA informed the San Antonio-based insurance company that its members do not support the requirement to participate in a specific program without consideration for other customer service information programs a shop may have in place. ASA pointed out that this requirement could be repeated by other insurance companies, therefore creating redundancies of customer service information companies within the collision shop's business model, thus leading to confusion and shop inefficiencies.
Darrell Amberson, AAM, director of ASA's Collision Division and member of the ASA board of directors, said: "ASA's volunteer leaders, all of whom are independent collision and mechanical shop owners, believe strongly in a business owner's inherent right to structure, manage and orchestrate their personal business as they see fit."
ASA members may access the letter in the June issue of their Collision Division newsletter, ASA Collision Division Dispatch.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.
# # #
