AASP/NJ’s Educational Series Focuses on RTA and Customer Service
5.19.25 – The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) continues to carry out its series of educational programs designed to keep collision repair professionals as knowledgeable as possible in this often-contested and challenged industry plagued by flame-throwing third-party payers.
On May 14, AASP/NJ hosted a membership meeting featuring attorney Thomas J. Cherichello of the Thomas J. Cherichello Law Firm to help shops gain an understanding about Right to Appraisal (RTA) and policyholder rights.
Cherichello was joined by AASP/NJ President Ken Miller, AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant and AASP/NJ Collision Chairman/Immediate Past President Jerry McNee in an open forum styled discussion that took on the challenges associated with the uneven playing field between body shops and insurance companies.
“Shops almost need an attorney on staff these days,” Cherichello emphasized. “You need to protect yourself.”
Cherichello provided a thorough overview of when and how to go about invoking the Appraisal Clause, which has “been in insurance contracts for probably 80 years.” If there is a disagreement on the cost of repair, the policy holder has the option to invoke the Appraisal Clause. Both sides pick their own appraiser, and if those appraisers can’t reach an agreement, an umpire is called in for a fee split by both parties. The final agreement is binding. He cited it can be a quick and effective process.
Discussion also included Section 64 of the New Jersey Automobile Cost Reduction Act, the use of repair contracts and more.
Next on the agenda, AASP/NJ will host a virtual membership meeting over Zoom on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30pm featuring Sheryl Driggers (Collision Advice) who will present “Collision Advice Customer Experience Session: The First Call Matters.”
Driggers will share practical strategies to help customer service representatives move from transactional to relational communication, build trust from the first interaction and make every customer feel heard and valued.
For more information or to register for “The First Call Matters” please visit aaspnj.org/events. For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org.
