ASA collision leaders meet with U.S. Department of Treasury officials

Attendees were able to provide FIO senior officials with first-hand insight into the relationships between collision repair shops, consumers and insurance companies.

As part of the COC’s Washington, D.C., Fly-in, committee members were able to discuss the importance of federal oversight of the insurance industry and the need to protect the FIO with key congressional offices.

Members of ASA’s Collision Operations Committee (COC) met with staff of the Federal Insurance Office as part of the ASA Fly-In. From left to right: Stephanie Schmelz, senior insurance regulatory policy analyst, Steven Seitz, deputy director, Financial Stability, Dan Risley, ASA president/executive director, Steve Regan, executive director, ASA Massachusetts/Rhode Island, Mike LeVasseur, COC, Darrell Amberson, past chairman, Scott Benavidez, COC, April Hernandez Stevens, COC, Bob Redding, ASA legislative representative, Roy Schnepper, ASA chairman, Tony Molla, ASA vice president, and Daniel McCarty, policy advisor.

Following the meetings, Scott Benavidez, AAM, COC director, said, “We were very encouraged by the conversations we had today. The collision shop-insurer dynamic is often overlooked, but we were able to bring attention to the issues that directly affect our industry. We also had the opportunity to share our experiences with decision-makers on Capitol Hill and deliver the message that FIO does not need to go away.”

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and collision repair professionals. ASA services an international membership base that includes numerous state affiliate and chapter groups.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. To take advantage of the many benefits of membership in ASA, please visit ASAshop.org or call (817) 514-2900.

For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at TakingTheHill.com.