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Letter to the Editor

Matters of Trust - and Anti-Trust

This month’s feature story sheds some light on the grey areas of debate and discussion surrounding the possible repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, under which the Insurance Industry has enjoyed its antitrust exemption. Interviews with several participants in the Collision Repair Industry certainly illustrate how extremely complex this whole legislative and legal arena can be. INSIGHT will continue to track this issue as it unfolds in Congress and how developments will impact the complicated and ever-evolving collision repair facility - insurer relationship.

Speaking of trust, and anti-trust, this month INSIGHT has launched a new product, the Market Prevailing Rates Survey, in response to concerns expressed by local auto body repair associations throughout the U.S. (See page 15.) As a disinterested third-party pledged to protecting the anonymity of survey participants, INSIGHT can provide accurate metropolitan area data for association members that will be useful for negotiating rates and allow-ances with insurers.

The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) certainly has a lot on its plate for 2007, judging by the long list of hot topics discussed at the group’s planning meeting in mid-January. Read a report from that meeting on page 13.

A report from the newest Collision Repair Industry association, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has made this particular woman smile. “WIN-ning” things are really happening under the capable leadership of executive director Sheila Loftus and with generous support of several corporate sponsors. Read more on page 19.

Check out big changes for estimating systems providers this month: Aurora Capital’s acquisition of Mitchell International (page 3) and Charlie Baker’s take on Solera’s decision to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stock (page 22).

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