6.12.23 – The staggering amount of insurance company abuse Garden State collision repair facility owners experience on a daily basis would have most anyone question the role of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOB) which is supposed to regulate the insurance industry and protect consumers.

New Jersey Automotive, the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) produced by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.,) recently asked “Is the NJ DOBI Protecting Insurers or Consumers?” in a feature article that has been garnering loads of attention for this alarming situation.

The article includes insight from an attorney who has interacted with DOBI on behalf of numerous clients. He shares his concerns that DOBI did not appear to have “non-neutrality” between consumers and insurers when complaints were brought forth. He found DOBI displayed a lack of interest in investigating the auto repair issues insurers are taking advantage of that are affecting consumers. He also shares his experience with record requests regarding violations of New Jersey’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices which had distressing results. å

“Clearly the state is unwilling to do the job funded by taxpayers and protect the consumer,” AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee states in New Jersey Automotive. “This issue impacts our entire industry, but more importantly, it creates safety concerns for every driver in the state.”

To view the article, visit grecopublishing.com/nja0523coverstory/.

AASP/NJ continues to monitor the situation and welcomes shop owners to share their stories via the AASP/NJ Hotline at (732) 922-8909. Collision repair professionals also have the opportunity to discuss their experiences and related issues in person when AASP/NJ presents “Understanding the Laws and Regulations Governing Auto Repair and Auto Body Shops” on Thursday, June 15 at 6:30pm at the Holiday Inn in Clark, NJ.

To register for the meeting and for more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org.