April 1, 2019—The latest of the four 2019 "Who Pays for What?" surveys is open now through the end of April. This survey focuses on "not-included" body labor operations.

According to the survey's findings, there is an upward trend in the percentage of shops across the U.S. regularly being paid by the eight largest insurance companies to mask as necessary for priming.

Back in 2015, a “Who Pays for What?” survey conducted by Collision Advice and CRASH Network found that less than 1 in 4 (24 percent) shops said they were paid “always” or “most of the time” when charging for the “not-included” labor required prior to the priming process to protect the vehicle from overspray.

That grew to 37 percent in the last few years. But the same survey this past January found that 43 percent of more than 600 shops responding to the question reported regularly being paid for masking during the priming process. Only about one-third of shops said they have never sought to be paid for that procedure.

Mike Anderson of Collision Advice said the change is a good indication the industry is increasingly aware of the not-included procedures shops often do without seeking compensation.