Contact:	Bob Redding (202) 543-1440
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin 99.20 March 31, 1999

ASA meets with Pennsylvania regulators

Washington, D.C., March 31, 1999 -- The Automotive Service Association (ASA) met with top analysts from the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) to discuss a proposed regulation by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The proposed regulation makes significant changes to the current regulations governing the Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraisers Act.

ASA filed formal comments with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and began a grassroots campaign to encourage regulators and policymakers to make specific changes to the proposed rule.

ASA leaders have also been meeting with state legislators in an attempt to assure a review of the final regulation. "I am cautiously optimistic after our meeting in Harrisburg. We will review the IRRC's comments during April and work with the Pennsylvania Legislature to assure collision repairers' and consumers' rights are protected," said ASA chairman Johnny Mock, AAM.

"The Proposed Regulation opens the door for steering consumers to specific repair facilities. This is unfair to consumers and small businesses. ASA is also concerned that the Department's attempt to address the replacement crash parts issue does not go nearly far enough. It provides for notice but does not allow the consumer to participate in the decision as to what types of parts are used on the vehicle. It must include consumer authorization," said Bob Redding, ASA Washington, D.C. Representative.

The IRRC will submit comments to the Insurance Department. The Department has up to two years to publish final regulations that are again subject to legislative and IRRC review.

ASA Board Member Dan Frohlich, AAM, of Pittsburgh, Pa., described discussions with officials, "We briefed them on how our industry operates and the long-term negative impact this proposal will have on the collision community as well as the consumer. We also explained that new policies should enhance our industry not take us back in time. By allowing the consumer to consent to the replacement crash parts used in the repair, we move this industry forward."

ASA will continue its efforts on this issue in the coming weeks.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 13,000 businesses and approximately 70,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA is headquartered in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. Additional information about ASA, including past news releases, is available on the ASA Web Site on the Internet (http://www.asashop.org).