Nigro's Auto Body

What all car owners need to know about the insurance industry and auto body shops.

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:25:55 +0000

What all car owners need to know about the insurance industry and auto body shops. By Domenic Nigro

Modern vehicles are complex and increasingly easily totaled; advances like anti-lock brakes and traction control have increased driver control, and increased consumer awareness has improved safe driving practices. So what is steering? It’s probably happened to you, steering is when you’re in an accident and you call your insurance company and they tell you where you have to get your car repaired. Some other examples are when the Insurance company says they cannot guarantee the repairs from a certain shop, or that you will have to pay the difference in labor rates. These are all forms of steering and they are all illegal.

Steering has existed since the beginning of the auto insurance industry and, while illegal, it may be here to stay unless something is done to change the awareness, standards within the industry and the laws that govern their behavior. Steering hurts both the shops and the customer, and if there is going to be progression in this industry, a solution must be found and regulations must be enforced. Good body shops are being forced out of business. Car owners are receiving sub par parts and service. A solution would benefit the entire industry and its customers.

Most insurers today use what are called DRP’s, or Direct Repair Providers. These are shops not owned by the insurers, but shops that agreed to provide service to these insurers. So what does this mean for the vehicle

owner? The insurance provider will say it means faster service and quicker turn-around on their damaged vehicle. In some cases this is true. In most cases it is not.

How is steering bad for YOU, the consumer?

Consumers have the right to choose where their car will be fixed after an accident, but the Auto Body Association said insurers continue to illegally steer customers and pay inadequate labor rates to body shops. Insurers skirt the language in the law and steer to save money. They get a cheaper repair at the consumer’s expense. The shops may cut corners and make greater use of inferior aftermarket parts.They say the shops may rush a repair job because if it takes longer than what an insurer specifies, the shop may have to foot the bill for the customer’s additional rental car costs.

Steering is anti-consumer, anti-competitive and anti-car safety because it rewards the insurance companies through preferred body shops but, in effect, deprives consumers of their choice.

Can it be dangerous (steering?)

When a shop signs a DRP agreement it basically turns it’s managerial rights over to the insurer. These agreements direct a shop in how to write estimates, how to report claims, which parts to use, how much to charge,

what not to charge for and a host of other do’s and don’ts. Basically the agreement ties the hands of the shop that tries to repair a vehicle owner’s vehicle back to it’s original pre-accident condition. For instance. to save

money on a claim, the insurer will tell the DRP shop to use A/M, or aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are parts made to fit a certain year, make and model of vehicle, but they are not made by the original

manufacturer. Most A/M parts come from overseas and have been proven to not be LKQ, Like, Kind and Quality. A/M parts are not of the same quality of OEM, Original Equipment manufacturer. What does this mean for the

vehicle owner? It means, if A/M parts are used on the repair of your vehicle, they may not fit the same, may not be as safe as OEM and certainly are not the same quality as OEM parts.I say, if you are happy with that shop, then by all means, let that shop repair your vehicle. Don’t go there just because an insurance company says that’s where you have to go.

If you have any questions, give me a call and I’d be happy to assist you, 215-925-4520

Nigro’s Auto Body is located at 939 Washington Ave in South Philly.

Best Of Philly 2012!

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:28:42 +0000

Nigro’s Auto Body has been awarded the prestigious Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Of Philly 2012 Award. First time an Auto Body Shop has ever won!

The Auto Repair Insurance Alphabet and What the Consumer Should Know

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:15:33 +0000

Nigro – The Community-Focused Body Shop

The Auto Repair Insurance Alphabet and What the Consumer Should Know

Just about anyone using health insurance in the past two decades is familiar with the PCP’s and HCP’s of HMO’s and PPO’s. It took a while for many consumers to become familiar with health insurance lingo. Consumers who know the health insurance alphabet make better health care choices, resulting in better, more effective treatment at lower out-of-pocket expense. Knowledge of the Auto Repair Insurance Alphabet will have similar benefits for consumers.

Many auto insurance companies have entered into agreements with auto repair shops similar to health insurers’ preferred provider networks. The auto insurance industry has developed a system in which repair shops agree to certain conditions and the insurer directs policyholders in need of repair services to those shops. After being involved in an auto accident, car owners are directed by insurance companies to DRP’s using OED and LKQ parts.

Fortunately, consumers rarely need to use auto repair shops to remedy accident damages. Unfortunately, this lack of experience can lead to unnecessary problems and expense when an accident occurs.

In auto insurance lingo, shops to which auto insurers direct policyholders are Direct Repair Providers (DRP’s). In theory, the DRP’s and auto insurers negotiate volume rates resulting in savings to the insurer and policyholder; and, they save the policyholder time by eliminating the need for an insurance adjuster to arrange an appointment to report on the damage to the company.

In practice, however, consumers have discovered that using a DRP under the agreements worked out with insurers is, often enough, less than satisfactory. DRP agreements are arranged by insurers, not auto repair shops. They typically include provisions requiring repairers to base estimates on “aftermarket” or salvage parts [also called "like kind and quality" (LKQ) parts] not “original equipment manufacturer” (OEM), i.e. the car manufacturer, parts. LKQ or aftermarket parts are often made outside the US and warranties for parts and performance have been difficult for consumers to enforce. The agreements also usually require the repair shop to shoulder all liability for the repair and to hold the insurance company harmless from any claim, even though the insurance company directs policyholders to the DRP’s and tells policyholders that the company “guarantees” the DRP’s work. Unfortunately, consumers have found that the insurer often “guarantees” only the parts, and then only either the fit of the part or the performance, but not both. The insurer usually does not guarantee the safety or manner of the repair method.

In short, DRP-Insurance arrangements, in practice, have benefited neither the policyholder/consumer nor the repair shop. DRP agreements are written in the insurance company’s interests and are executed accordingly.

The insurance company’s practice of requiring policyholders to use their DRP’s [or not to use other repair shops] is called steering and it is illegal in Pennsylvania. The consumer, however, is probably not aware of this. Under state law, the policyholder seeking auto repair is in a contract with the repair shop, not the insurer. The consumer is a customer of the repair shop, not the insurer.

When it’s necessary to have auto repairs done due to an accident covered by insurance, consumers need to take two simple steps.

First, when the insurer recommends an auto repair shop, ask to see the DRP agreement. Insurers have every right to ask the consumer to use a DRP. Insurers do not have the right to require the consumer to use their DRP’s for the repairs.

Second, the consumer should get an estimate for repairs from any shop with which he/she is familiar. Insurers are required by law to pay any reasonable and customary charges regardless of where the work is performed.

Just as it took time for consumers to become aware of the ABC’s of health insurance coverage, it may take some time for consumers to become aware of the ABC’s of auto repair insurance. Knowledge of the auto repair alphabet will benefit consumers financially – what better reason to know about DRP’s and the rest of the ARIA [auto repair insurance alphabet]?

Philadelphia Zoo Partner’s with Nigro’s Auto Body

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:44:06 +0000

Nigro’s Auto Body is excited to announce its partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo!! “Like” us to keep up to date with the events with do with the zoo!

Nigro’s Facebook Page

Nigro’s Wins the Chamber of Commerce Award For Excellence in Customer Service!

admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:59:56 +0000

Congrats to us! We won the Excellence in Customer Service Award given by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Referral Program

admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:20:48 +0000

Our referral program is one of the most rewarding in the business. Just fill in your name and phone number then print out the coupon and give it to as many people as you can that need our service. Once they come in and use the coupon, you get paid. It is that simple.

Creative Kids Safety Contest

admin — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:11:25 +0000

Nigro’s Auto Body Gets Greener, Converts to eco-friendly Refinish System

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:13:01 +0000

Nigro’s Auto Body announced today that it is the first autobody repair shop in Philadelphia to offer eco-friendly collision repair. Nigro’s Auto Body has made an environmentally-sound decision to convert its shop from a solventborne system to the R-M Onyx HD® waterborne refinish system by BASF – The Chemical Company. R-M’s Onyx HD® waterborne paint system not only helps protect the environment, but also combines ease of use and durability with superb color matching. Nigro‘s goal is to protect the region’s air, water, and soil by reducing hazardous waste and air pollution. “A more environmentally friendly repair or collision center today, a greener tomorrow,” says Domenic Nigro.

BASF applauds Nigro‘s commitment to the environment. “We view Nigro’s Auto Body as a true environmental leader in its industry,” says Darlene Eilenberger, BASF Marketing Director, North America.

Auto Insurance Claims

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:34:46 +0000

At Nigro’s auto body, we work for you, we are pro consumer, pro YOU, not pro insurance company. We handle all claims, we deal with you insurance company. don’t let the insurance company tell you where you have to take your car to be repaired, you can pick anywhere, so choose the best.

concierge auto insurance claims. File an insurance claim, insurance concierge program. All-state, Travelers, works or with all major insurance.

Autotex Pink Wiper Blades

admin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:08:25 +0000

Show your support!

Nigro’s Auto Body is very proud to announce that we are now offering AutoTex Pink wiper blades to our customers. Not only is this a great product, but a portion of each unit sold will be donated directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. More information can be found by following the link or you can call us or stop by the shop! Let’s work together to Wipe Out Breast Cancer!

Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
One out of eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

Because of these startling statistics, AutoTex PINK is taking a proactive role in prevention by donating to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The NBCF is a leading provider of funding for breast cancer research and prevention. Additionally, studies have shown that increased awareness through education and early detection can increase a woman’s survival rate by 98 percent!

The National Breast Cancer Foundation:

Funds research to find a cure
Educates women about breast cancer, with 85 percent of its funds going directly to the programs about prevention and early detection
Provides screening for those in need, by providing more than 20,000 free mammograms in the past year

There are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors today. That’s 2 million reasons that the NBCF continues to run one of the most admired, accomplished, and notarized charities in the world. Through this relationship, the NBCF and Autotex PINK are giving “help for today, hope for tomorrow”. (Please visit www.nbcf.org for more information)