No-fault insurance is an oxymoron. Fault is determined in every accident, using the Fault Determination Guide as set out in the Insurance Act. To view the Fault Determination Rules, click below:

http://www.insurancehotline.com/scripts/insquote.pl?instype=rr18_2

No-fault insurance actually means that if you get in to an accident, regardless whether or not it's "Your Fault", your own insurance pays for the damage to your vehicle and for your injuries. No-fault insurance was created to increase consumer satisfaction with claims handling, as you only have to deal with your own insurance company, not somebody else's company when paying for your damages.

Accident Forgiveness
(Can not be bought - it can be applied if the insurance company wishes to use it)

Absolute forgiveness - no increase whatever in premiums after an at-fault claim - is available to the best drivers from some companies at no additional cost.

But most companies will increase premiums after the first at-fault claim in five or more years. Most insurers which offer accident forgiveness make their clients do penance. They drop the policyholder to a lower claims-free or star rating, which will result in an increase in premiums for several years. The increase is simply less than drivers would suffer if their
insurers demoted them to a zero star or zero claims-free rating.Some will raise premiums by more than 50 per cent.

Further claims, or a combination of claims and convictions for driving infractions, could result in the insurer refusing to renew your policy.

Convictions for driving infractions can affect a policyholder's right to what insurers call accident forgiveness, as well as the ability to buy the optional claims protection feature.

"Good drivers" should get a break and not be saddled with large premium increases after a small claim. Always check to make sure you are getting the best rate out there by going to www.InsuranceHotline.com.

Claims Protection
(It can be bought - it's also called Premium Protection or Accident Waiver )

Most insurers will sell drivers claims or premium protection. The majority of drivers would qualify to buy it, but many have not bothered. This protection would allow you to maintain your "good standing" with your insurance company after an at-fault accident. The cost is usually around $35 to $50 dollars, which is like "buying insurance for your insurance."

This means your renewal after an at-fault accident will show the same star rating and there will not be an increase in premium, as a result of the claim.

The claims protection is usually removed immediately after the claim and a second accident would not have this protection. Further claims, or a combination of claims and convictions for driving infractions, could result in the insurer refusing to renew the policy. In some cases, claims protection will entitle the policyholder to an extra at-fault claim before
the insurer will refuse to renew the policy. This protection could disappear, however, if the policyholder reported an at-fault loss even if he or she paid for the damages personally.

Here's which Insurance Companies offer Accident Forgiveness and Claims Protection

There is NO clear delineation of what an insurer can and cannot do to you with regards to Accident Forgiveness or Claims Protection. "A uniform standard of forgiveness would undermine the stated goal; to foster a more competitive market" reports the Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. Personally, I don't agree with the Finance Minister on this one, says Lee Romanov.

Here is the most comprehensive chart available indicating which insurance companies offer Accident Forgiveness or Claims Protection and their conditions:

http://www.insurancehotline.com/scripts/insquote.pl?instype=rr18_3

( Courtesy of Lee Romanov, insurancehotline.com )

(see headlines)

Tickets for the Province: 6,629

Seat Belts: 512
Speeding: 5,507
Failed to Yield: 63
Careless Driving: 42
Impaired Driving: 80
12 Hour Licence Suspensions: 125
Ticketing for Unsafe Vehicles: 300 (doubled over last year's campaign)

Ticket break down for ONLY the GTA and Central Region (including the 400): 2,683
Seat Belts: 337
Speeding: 2,236
Failed to Yield: 7
Careless Driving: 24
Impaired Driving: 32
12 Hour Licence Suspensions: 47

If the average ticket increases a driver's insurance rate by $500, this would have put an additional $3,314,500 in the pockets of the insurance companies, over the long weekend. That's a good enough reason for me to be extra careful the next time I'm driving.

Tickets and your driver abstract

Tickets affect your insurance rates differently, from company to company. 50% of insurance companies can increase your rates by $500 for having only one ticket. All insurance companies will increase your rates for two tickets, up to $1,500, while 3 tickets could cause a cancellation.

Tickets stay on your driver abstract 3 long years. Suspensions for 6 years. If you are fighting your ticket, it's good to know that the "date" insurance companies look at is the date you are convicted of the ticket "IN COURT" not the date the ticket was written.

If you get a few tickets back to back, fighting a ticket through the courts will allow you to postpone the date the ticket, or tickets, would show up on your driver abstract, if you lose. Hopefully, that will be enough time for you to work on improving your driving habits.

courtesy Lee Romanov, insurancehotline.com

(see headlines)

According to a recent study by Lee Romanov of the Insurance Hotline, based on recent insurance company filings with Ontario 's Financial Services Commission, there is a vast difference in insurance company rates.

It certainly pays to shop around for quotes for your car insurance.

For instance:

Profile 1: Male, single, age 19

Risk Description:
Licensed 3 years, 1 year with class G licence
Owner and principal operator
Commute - 5 km one way, annual mileage under 12,000 km
2001 Honda Civic DX 2 door Coupe (VICC Code 0258)
New business application to company

In Hamilton, Allstate Insurance will charge him,$17,015 Guarantee of North America some $10306 and T-D Insurance $10,436 and for a one year policy while York Fire and Western Assurance are over $10,000 each.

At the low end, this driver can be insured with Waterloo for only $5226 or with Pembridge Insurance for only $5198

for more information please see: www.insurancehotline.com

In Toronto the rates show:

for a 19 year old with a clean record, rates between $5750 and $15,551

for a driver with one ticket and one accident, rates from $2,051 to $17,468

for 2 drivers with clean records from $1763 to $6992

for a 70 year old with clean record, from $970 to $2576

(see headlines)

Drive Clean changes coming

By Meredith Macleod, The Hamilton Spectator

(Sep 12, 2005)

An independent review of Drive Clean is recommending a major overhaul of the mandatory emissions-testing program.

The changes would ease up on drivers with newer cars and crack down on those driving older or dirty vehicles. There'd also be new measures to combat fraud.

The province ordered the review after an investigation by The Hamilton Spectator last year revealed sky-high pass rates for newer cars, showed widespread fraud, and found polluting cars going back on the road with few or no repairs. The Spectator won a National Newspaper Award for its investigative reporting. The draft final report dated July 11, 2005, was prepared by Eastern Research Group of Austin, Texas. It has not been made
public, but The Spectator obtained a copy.

Among the recommendations, the province is being urged to:

* Allow drivers two more years before they have to start testing new cars, while ending the exemption for some of the oldest, most polluting vehicles.

* Clamp down on so-called conditional passes that allow failing cars to go back on the road with some or no repairs.

* Subsidize the repair costs for low-income people driving old polluting cars, or pay them to take the junkers off the road.

* Test 1998 and newer cars by attaching an analyzer to the vehicles' on-board diagnostic systems, as well as with the current tailpipe gas test.

* Require the more than 200,000 cars, light-duty trucks, vans and SUVs that fail each year to undergo a follow-up test a year later, to ensure "durable repairs" have been made;

* Eliminate paper Drive Clean testing certificates as a way of combatting fraud. The report found nearly half of vehicles that failed an initial Drive Clean test in 2003, and didn't subsequently pass a retest, were put back on the road with a certificate generated for a different vehicle;

* Expand the list of "triggers" used to decide which garages should be investigated for fraud. For example, the consultants suggest auditing garages with higher-than-expected pass rates, given the mix of vehicles tested there.

* Establish a repair effectiveness index that would measure whether a garage makes effective and durable repairs, based on vehicles that are retested. The information should be posted on the Drive Clean website, perhaps with a star rating.

* Explore the use of new technologies, including road-side ultraviolet and infrared light sensors to spot heavy polluters.

A provincial spokesperson said the Drive Clean Office is studying the findings and developing its own recommendations. "It's important to note that the report says Drive Clean is working," said Charles Ross, the spokesperson for the program.

"There are ways to make improvements and all the recommendations and findings are being fully considered."

The Ontario program has been criticized for repeatedly waiving some or all repairs on vehicles that fail. Consumers can get a conditional pass after paying a maximum of $450 for repairs. If a single repair would cost more than $450, cars can sometimes get a waiver without the owner paying a cent.

The report suggests increasing the value of repairs required to get a conditional pass to $600, and limiting each vehicle to just one waiver. There is no limit on the number allowed now and noxious polluters have been allowed to keep running.

Currently, the $35 emissions test is mandatory every other year for any passenger vehicle between three and 20 years old or any vehicle between one and 20 years being resold.

The consultants concluded that four and five year old cars account for about 22 per cent of all vehicles on the road -- 525,000 -- but make up a tiny part of potential emissions reductions. They suggest owners be allowed two more years before testing begins. Right now, testing begins at three model years old.

The consultants also suggest scrapping the current policy that exempts cars 20 or more years old. They recommend that all cars after the 1980 model year be subject to tests and that the date be fixed.

"Although there are relatively few numbers of these vehicles and they are not driven as many kilometres, they represent the greatest emission reduction potential per vehicle tested" the report says.

The independent study examined the test results for all vehicles since the program began in 1999 to the end of 2004. It also reviewed in-house audits of the program and compared Ontario's approach to those in California, British Columbia, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Arizona and Colorado.

Ross said the study is "a very important document" in the province's examination of Drive Clean.

"Once everything is evaluated, we'll be coming forward with recommendations. I wouldn't think that will be too far off."

The Spectator investigation found Ontario residents have spent well over $1 billion on testing fees and emissions repairs but only a tiny minority of newer vehicles fail. For instance, in 2003, almost 98 per cent of passenger vehicles seven-years-old and newer -- more than half the vehicles on the road -- passed on their first try. Even 80 per cent of cars 11 years and
newer passed, giving an overall pass rate of 93 per cent.

Some states have scrapped emissions testing entirely, saying the costs outweigh the benefits, especially since today's vehicles produce less pollution.

Hamilton cabinet minister Marie Bountrogianni said she was unaware of the Drive Clean study but said the program must "balance what is fair to the consumer with what is healthy for our kids and seniors."

ERG concluded that Drive Clean is reducing smog-causing pollutants at a comparable cost to other jurisdictions with similar testing programs.

The report also praised the province's efforts to root out cheaters, saying: "A system of compliance of this magnitude is not common among other jurisdictions."

Under Drive Clean, vehicles covered by the program are required to pass emissions tests in order to stay on the road.

Thanks to the Hamilton Spectator

(see headlines)

Red Deer, Alberta, September 19, 2005: RIFCO INC. (TSX.V: RFC) is pleased to announce that the Company has been ranked 5th on the sixth annual PROFIT HOT 50 list.

The PROFIT HOT 50 is the definitive ranking of Canadas emerging growth companies. Published in the September issue of PROFIT and online at PROFITguide.com, the PROFIT HOT 50 ranks young firms by two-year revenue growth. RIFCO achieved a two year revenue growth rate of 860%.

The PROFIT HOT 50 recognizes entrepreneurial ambition and managerial excellence in

Canada, says Editor Ian Portsmouth. These companies have succeeded by meeting emerging market needs, creating better ways to do business and never hesitating to expand beyond our borders.

Bill Graham, President and CEO of RIFCO remarked, RIFCO is honored to be included among this prestigious group of fastest growing young companies in Canada. Our diligent efforts over the past two years are now being rewarded by the strong traction Rifcos business model is gaining. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member of our team for their hard work and dedication to Rifcos success.

About PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success

PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success, offers news, strategies, tips, interviews and other resources to the CEOs of Canadian growth companies. Each year PROFIT, which currently reaches more than 400,000 readers nationally, hosts a number of events that bring together business leaders in the fast-growth segment and champions the interests of those leaders. PROFIT was founded in April 1982 as Canadas first national magazine geared to entrepreneurs. Visit PROFITguide.com.
About RIFCO INC.

RIFCO Inc. (TSXV: RFC) operates through its wholly owned subsidiary Repair Industry Finance Corporation. RIFCO is a specialty consumer finance corporation with a focus on the automotive aftermarket industry. RIFCO provides Automotive & Commercial Repair Financing, and Vehicle Purchase Financing ("Convenient Payment Plan") to mid-market motorists through a growing network of licensed repair facilities and select used vehicle retailers. RIFCO's customers benefit by being able to convert major repair or purchase costs into affordable monthly payments.

RIFCO is committed to growth. Key strategies for achieving this growth include the expansion of its network, ever-increasing leverage of this network, excellence in credit and collections processes, and exceptional service to its network members and its customers.
The common shares of RIFCO INC. are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RFC". RIFCO INC. has 13.95 million shares outstanding.

(see headlines)

If you have technical knowledge and a positive attitude, I-CAR wants you to consider being an instructor. Tracey Blouin, Canadian regional field manager, says the organization is looking for outgoing individuals from the collision repair industry, insurance industry, OEM sector, or vocational institutions that have good technical knowledge and the ability to clearly explain repair procedures to others.

I-CAR is a technical training organization. Instructors are independent contractors and may hold full-time positions outside the I-CAR organization. Most classes are held in the evenings and on weekends.

For more information, call Tracey Blouin at 416-299-4227 or 800-422-7456, or e-mail tracey.blouin@i-car.com.

(see headlines)

Sept. 7- The McGuinty Ontario government's major investment in post secondary education is key to building a stronger Ontario, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said today.

"Investing in higher education is the right course for our society, for our economy, for our families and for our future," Bentley told students at the University of Toronto. "This will help our colleges and universities deliver the high-quality programs that will enable people to generate the innovative ideas, products and jobs that will ensure our future prosperity."

Under Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education, which was unveiled in the 2005 Budget, the government will invest $6.2 billion more in Ontario's postsecondary system over the next five years. Highlights include:

- Increasing financial aid for 135,000 low- and middle-income students starting this year
- Increasing the number of students completing undergraduate programs and going on to graduate school
- Expanding medical education spaces by 15 per cent
- Increasing the number of faculty to improve student success
- Improving the student experience through better student/faculty interaction and learning support systems.

The minister also told the students the government has frozen tuition for the second consecutive year and is doubling the funding available for student aid over the course of the plan.

"Our government is pleased to make these improvements that will help our students reach higher," added Bentley. "Our goal is to ensure our colleges and universities achieve the highest standards in teaching and research, resulting in the skills and innovation that will create new jobs and support economic growth."

Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

REACHING HIGHER IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Through Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education, which was unveiled in the 2005 Budget, the government will invest $6.2 billion more in Ontario's colleges, universities and student financial aid program over the next five years - the largest multi-year investment in 40 years.

With this investment, the people of Ontario will see improved access and quality in postsecondary education, which will produce the skills and innovation to support economic growth.

More Access - Financial Aid

- Offer new access grants of up to $6,000, or the full cost of tuition, for 16,000 first-year students from low-income families (done in cooperation with the federal government and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation)
- Further enhance student support with an Ontario-only grant of up to $3,000 for 16,000 second-year students from low-income families
- Partner with the federal government to expand eligibility for student loans and increase Ontario weekly loan amounts from $110 to $140 for single students starting this year
- Reduce how much money middle-income parents are expected to contribute to their children's education and recognize computer costs when assessing the loan needs of students
- Increase the availability of interest relief for graduates experiencing difficulty repaying their loans
- Provide $50 million annually to match funds raised by colleges and universities to establish endowments for student aid
- Continue to work with the federal government to broaden and expand student aid in 2006-07 and beyond.

More Access - Enrolment and Outreach

- Invest $10 million this year, rising to $55 million in five years, to improve access and success of under-represented groups, including: francophones, aboriginals, people with disabilities and students whose parents did not attend college or university
- Provide $20 million in new funding for northern and rural colleges by 2007-08 to increase access to high-quality programs in their communities
- Pilot a new, community-based nursing education program in northern Ontario
- Expand graduate education by 14,000 students through new investments of $220 million annually by 2009-10
- Increase the number of new, first-year spaces at medical schools by 15 per cent
- Implement a new strategy to attract more international students and encourage more Ontario students to study abroad
- Increase the number of new, annual entrants into apprenticeship by 7,000, reaching 26,000 total by 2007-08.

Higher Quality
- Increase the number of students completing undergraduate programs and going on to graduate school
- Increase the number of faculty at colleges and universities to accommodate higher enrolment and improve student success
- Improve the quality of education for medical and other health care professionals by providing $95 million in new funding
- Provide capital support to ensure that medical schools and graduate departments can accommodate the increased number of students
- Improve the student experience through better student/faculty interaction and learning support systems
- Improve pathways for students and increase collaboration between colleges and universities.

(see headlines)

Revolutionary ideas on improving cycle times, new training delivery methods, industry self- management. That’s just some of what’s happening at CCIF these days. After stops in Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick, CCIF’s last meeting of the year is set for Saturday, October 15th in Regina, Saskatchewan.

At CCIF Fredericton in June, participants were consulted on the idea of establishing a national training data base and on the feasibility of industry self-management. They were also given insight on the “Right to Repair” issue that threatens to restrict access to repair information, OEM tools and training. At CCIF Regina there’ll be an update on these two issues, as well as news from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum on new ways to attract young people into the skilled trades. The Provincial trade association, SAAR, will talk on the issues facing the industry in Saskatchewan and how they are being faced.

The Canadian Collision Industry Forum has become a “must do” event, not only for local participants, but for industry professionals from every Province in Canada. CCIF is undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity for collision repairers, insurers and other industry people to participate, express their views and influence the actions that will benefit them in their business and the industry as a whole.

There are always plenty of informative and helpful presentations at CCIF, but when the listening’s done, there’s a chance for everyone to speak in Open Forum and during the break-out sessions where they can join the discussion and share ideas on the issues that are important to them.

CCIF is funded entirely by generous sponsor companies who believe in the value of uniting the industry and taking action to help it survive and prosper. CCIF thanks Akzo Nobel Coatings Ltd. ADP Claims Services, Auto Parts Plus/Auto Plus, BASF, Bodyshop Magazine, Budget Rent A Car, Carlson Body Shop Supply, Car-Part.com, CARS, CARSTAR , CertifiedFirst™Network, Discount Car & Truck Rental, The Dominion, DuPont Performance Coatings, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz Canada, Impact Auto Auctions Mitchell International, NAPA-CMAX, SGI, Sherwin Williams, Student Connections, 3M Canada Company.

As always, CCIF will be a professionally run, high quality event in a first class setting – this time at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza. Further information about CCIF and registration details for the Regina meeting can be found at www.ccif.net or by calling Mike Bryan at 905 726 9027.

(see headlines)

FORD RECALLS 3.8 MILLION

Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday recalled 3.8 million pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for a cruise control switch suspected of causing engine fires. It is the fifth largest auto industry recall in U.S. history.

Ford said the recall of 1994-2002 model-year vehicles includes the company's hot-selling F-150 pickup truck, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Bronco. The company said it would start sending out recall notices to U.S. vehicle owners immediately.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the No. 2 U.S.-based automaker have been investigating complaints of engine fires linked to the switch.

Toyota Motor Co., meanwhile, recalled 978,000 sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks amid concerns over the power steering system. The affected vehicles include the 1990-1995 4Runner SUV, 1989-1995 truck 4WD and 1993-1998 T-100 pickup.

Toyota said a rod linking the steering wheel and the wheels may fracture under conditions where the steering wheel is turned while the vehicle is stopped. Owners will be notified beginning in mid-September, the company said.

In the Ford case, NHTSA has received more than 550 complaints of engine fires from the cruise control switch. There have been allegations of three deaths in cases cited in news reports or lawsuits in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas.

The affected vehicles include: 1994-2002 model F-150s, 1997-2002 Expeditions, 1998-2002 Navigators and 1994-1996 Broncos equipped with factory-installed speed control.

(see headlines)

This presentation will focus on ways to improve your business and reduce your expense.

We will also highlight new incentives and grant availability and the benefits for your business that good environmental activity can lead to.

Please join us for this free evening auto body and automotive mechanical presentation.

Grand River Employment and Training Center at 16 Sunrise Court (located across from the Iroquois Plaza in downtown Oshweken), Oshweken, ON. See map below directions.

(see headlines)

There is an immediate opportunity for collision repairers to be on the leading edge of management system technology. The goal is to qualify 10 interested collision repair facilities for a beta test program. There will be an onus of responsibility to provide valuable and timely feedback necessary to launch the product into the commercial market in Canada.

In exchange for participation in the program, consideration will be given in the form of no-cost of enrollment, software or support for this multi-functional, cost-effective management system.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity offered by a leading technology firm in Canada please advise www.ciia.com at info@ciia.com

(see headlines)

Ottawa, Ontario – Access to the diagnostic and repair codes on some vehicles is now being denied to aftermarket repair technicians. Some original equipment manufacturers are also refusing to supply the required tools and training to repair newer vehicles. It is the position of AIA Canada that motor vehicle owners (consumers) have the right to choose who services or repairs their vehicles and that manufacturing vehicles that can only be repaired with proprietary information is a discriminatory trade practice. AIA believes that diagnostic and repair information, tools and training, the same information available to the dealer network, should be openly accessible to the entire repair and service community at a reasonable cost and over a timely medium. AIA is open to any process that will guarantee this access.

One process under consideration is a voluntary agreement similar to that administered by the Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) in the U.S. On August 11th, AIA Canada held a promising meeting with members of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) and the Canadian associations that represent vehicle manufacturers regarding the issue of access to diagnostic, repair and service information, OEM tools and training, commonly referred to as the “Right to Repair”.

AIA approached NASTF and the Canadian automobile manufacturers to investigate the possibility of creating a Canadian Automotive Service Task Force (CASTF). The meeting discussed the steps involved in creating CASTF and proposed changes to the existing model that would improve complaint reporting procedures and resolutions to those complaints.

As a next step, AIA Canada will formally present to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC) its desire to create CASTF by providing a proposed outline of structure and functions.

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) is a US not-for-profit, no-dues task force established to facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, service training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications for the benefit of automotive service professionals. NASTF is a voluntary, cooperative effort among the automotive service industry, the equipment and tool industry, and automotive manufacturers.

The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is a national trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry. The aftermarket is a $15.6 billion industry, and is proud to employ more than 220,000 people. AIA’s members manufacture, distribute, and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. AIA’s mandate is to promote, educate and represent members in all areas that impact the growth and prosperity of the industry. Visit us on the web at www.aiacanada.com.

(see headlines)

Investment Expands Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program

TORONTO - The McGuinty government is investing in Ontario's future prosperity by creating 1,000 skilled-trades training spaces under the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program, Chris Bentley, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"Apprenticeship training gives young people more options for their postsecondary education while providing Ontario with the skilled workforce essential for its prosperity," said Bentley. "A strong apprenticeship program is an important part of our Reaching Higher plan for education."

The provincial government is investing nearly $13.6 million over four years to train apprentices. Beginning in September, 1,000 students will be able to train in these additional trades:

· Automotive service technician/motive power technician,
· Heavy duty equipment technician/motive power technician,
· Industrial mechanic millwright/manufacturing engineering technician,
· Truck and coach technician/motive power technician.

"Colleges have an important role to play in training and educating the highly-skilled workforce Ontario needs," said Brenda Taylor, president of Canadore College and vice chair of the committee of presidents, Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. "Through the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program, colleges are working with the Ontario government to create a new route to exciting careers in the skilled trades and provide employers with highly motivated apprentices who have a college education."

The Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program offers young people pursuing a postsecondary education the chance to register in a program that will lead to a provincial certificate of qualification.

(see headlines)

In Southern Ontario, three regional municipalities look at towing abuse in different ways. For instance in the Hamilton region:

Police have approved new rotation-type towing contract applications to start October 1 and
last three years. Thus arrangement allows tow firms that meet legal and other police-set equipments to operate in one of five city-wide zones. Any tow firm that meets standards can tow for the police on a set rotation-style basis. Tow companies that solicit business at accident scenes or have any involvement with "chasers" or "collision consultants" will not be allowed to tow for police. At the same time a municipal by-law allows the police to
lay charges against anyone soliciting for business at a motor vehicle collision scene.

The Hamilton rotation and anti-solicitation towing process continues to enjoy police and public support and has a strong motorist protection bias.

The only changes made to the police contract, that comes into force on October 1, from the current agreement are:

1) physical truck inspections that were previously carried out by police and the City will now ony be done by police

2) light vehicle tows increase to max. price of $150.00. Previous agreement was $125.00

3) 24 hour storage goes from $25 to $30

4) Administration fee paid by tow firms to police goes from $25 to $30 per tow,. This fee provides for income to police to offset costs in enforcement, compound visits and complaint handling.

5) A surchage of $50 will be charged for all vehicle releases to be completed after hours.

Halton Regional Police, who cover the Oakville,Burlington,Georgetown and Milton areas of Ontario have been directed by their Police Services Board to provide for a new towing agreement. That agreement will include a strong anti-solicitation package, because of complaints from the public and the police.

The police have sent information updates with a request for comments to municipalities
within Halton before putting a region-wide program together.

Halton police and the local collision repair trade association, HARA will be holding a meeting for shop owners in the near future to better explain the new police agreement.

PEEL POLICE

Despite a record 112 charges laid against tow drivers and firms in 2002, Peel police
Staff Sergeant Craig Ellis and Peel police Constable Jim Wiattt, recently told the Financial Services Commission of Ontario meeting on insurance abuse," We have no complaints about towing in our region."

If you have any questions or need a copy of the police documentation, or a copy of some of the new contracts, please call 1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com

(see headlines)

Aviva recently declared an interim dividend increase of 5% with the total group operating profit jumping up by 21%, which demonstrates a robust operational performance across all its major businesses.

Equity markets continue to recover but after a strong run up to March Aviva's share price did not perform as well as anticipated in the last quarter.

The Company's general insurance and health operations delivered and increase in total operating profit of £694 million as opposed to £583 million for the same period last year. Its underwriting profit was higher at £182 million as opposed to £92 million in 2004.

Investment returns increased as a result of a higher asset base at the start of the year. Worldwide net premiums written were £5.2 billion, only a slight increase from £5.1 billion the previous year.

The group COR for general insurance was 95%, which beat its target of 100% and reflected strong performances across most businesses, with a reduction in worldwide claims ratio to 64%. Worldwide expense ratio was maintained at 11%, reflecting the benefit of continuing cost efficiency initiatives across its business operations offset by its continued investment in the business to gain competitive advantage.

Aviva's distribution ratio was 31%.

The Company's sustained profitability is exemplified by a 19% increase in operating profit to £431 million as opposed to £361 million and a COR of 96%.

The Company's general insurance portfolio in Canada is seeing best results in its general insurance businesses.

Operating profit from Aviva Canada, the Company's second-largest general insurance operation, was £67 million as opposed to £52 million in 2004. This improved performance reflected the impact of lower claims frequency.

Aviva's chairman Pehr Gyllenhammar says the Company's statutory accounts are now prepared on the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) basis.

The Company has also initiated a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, which covers its businesses worldwide, and which enhances business performance with a goal toward good governance – a priority for the board.

(see headlines)

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) recently filed a statement of claim in BC Supreme court to take civil action with the intent to recover claims paid and investigation costs, plus damages, associated to an alleged motorcycle theft scheme.
In 2003, ICBC investigators received information through its Tip Line – the ICBC's tool to combat fraud and vehicle-related crimes – regarding motorcycle thefts in the Lower Mainland. In June of that year, police executed search warrants at M/Speed Performance, a Burnaby motorcycle parts store, and a warehouse in North Vancouver connected to M/Speed's owner, Marbod Kern. The searches resulted in what is believed to be the largest recovery of stolen motorcycles and parts in BC.

It is alleged that Kern and an accomplice were involved in the dismantling of stolen motorcycles with the intention of selling the parts for profit. Kern was also charged criminally and pleaded guilty to a possession of stolen property charge.

The estimated value of recovered vehicles was over $250,000.

"ICBC works with law enforcement agencies to combat auto crimes that impact our customers," Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice president of loss management, says. "We will not sit back and simply pass those costs onto our customers."

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Executives from many of the country's top auto insurers were on hand to offer opinions and insight at the annual CARSTAR industry conference held in Ottawa August 10-12. Noel Walpole, president and CEO of The Economical Insurance Group, told delegates not to be misled by the high revenues insurance companies posted in 2004. He explained the cyclical nature of the insurance industry, and pointed out that the industry's average return on equity for the last five years ranged from a low of about 2% to a high of nearly 20%. This cyclical nature of the industry creates an erosion in consumer confidence, he said, but added that the cycle doesn't have to be so dramatic. Chiding politicians and media, he suggests: "To flatten the cycle there needs to be a change to the initial reaction to high profits."

The conference also included a panel discussion with representatives from Aviva Canada Inc., The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co., Economical and RBC Insurance. Nora Hohman, vice-president, claims, with The Dominion, stated that her company is committed to combating towing fraud and unreasonable towing fees. "We're going to spend a lot of money on legal fees, but we're going to fight it."

Regarding rental vehicles, Tony Mammone Jr., manager, claims, for RBC Insurance, suggested that customers are looking for one person to handle their claim, end to end. So, if you consider that the rental process is part of the repair process, it follows that the repairer should facilitate the rental process.

More than 300 delegates participated in the conference, representing 80% of the CARSTAR network from across the country.

"In ten years we have changed the collision repair industry in Canada from a 'no network, no partners, no trust' industry to the CARSTAR standard of a national network with benchmarking, cost containment, reduced cycle time, accurate customer service indexing, insurance and vendor partnerships and above all, trust," said Sam Mercanti, president and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada.

Courtesy of www.bodyshopbiz.com

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ING Canada stated in its second quarter earnings release that "industry returns in automobile insurance are likely to exceed historical levels for the coming twelve months." The company notes that potential rate reductions and the positive impact of the reforms adopted by various governments will contribute to these high rates of return.

The December acquisition of Allianz Canada bolstered ING Canada Inc.'s second quarter profits by 30% to reach $223.6 million compared with $172.4 million for the same period last year.

"Our personal automobile insurance business performed strongly during the quarter as a result of continuing low claims frequencies, favourable reserve developments and the positive contribution of industry pools," explained ING Canada's president and CEO, Charles Dussault. He added that consumers have benefited from lower automobile premiums with an average 8.4% rate reduction so far this year.

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Local associations will benefit from workshops planned in September through ciia.com, the body shop assistance people, who operate the www.ciia.com collision industry web site.

Workshops are offered through local collision repair trade associations and feature new benefit programs, environmental and profitability programs.

Special guests will be speaking at all workshops, including a September 14th Oshweken, Six Nations workshop to help native shops with handling their specific environmental and profit issues.

Workshops are planned for:

Thunder Bay
Ottawa
London
Sudbury
Burlington
Niagara
Durham Region

For more information on dates and locations please see www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/associations.html

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By John Norris, Executive Director, HARA

The Collision Industry Information and Assistance (www.ciia.com) web site, operated by the Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association, handles over 10,000 hits a day. The phone lines often field 30 calls a day and at least 60 emails. Over 400 shops call regularly for environmental help with training, certification assistance, wage incentive information, hiring questions and inquiries from insurance contact lists to manuals on how to market to brokers all the way to requests for guest speakers at their local schools to getting a fax number to send copies of abusive towing invoices.

This is how a professional collision repair trade association works.

Individual association mandates may be different but their passion and vision should be clear and consistent: Help shops, serve the interests of repairers, represent them and provide opportunities to move member interests forward.

Let's face it -- it's a tough marketplace our there and many shops are struggling to stay profitable. They need more help right now and should recognize that although their voice may not be strong individually, their association's voice can be loud, active and successful.

Why then are there so few shop members in their trade associations? One reason is lack of communications. And it goes both ways. Some repairers only hear from their trade association when once a year an invoice shows up on the fax machine. Good professional associations communicate by holding regular neighborhood style meetings or surveys to gain better incite into shop needs -- yet often shops don't show up at meetings or respond to the very associations trying to help them.

Perhaps, shops haven't yet realized the practical benefits of membership in an active association. Can shop concerns be addressed? What's in it for a shop to be a member?

GAUGE YOUR REPRESENTATION

You should always ask yourself the two basic association membership questions:

What can you do for me now and what can you do for the industry in the future?

Most professional associations can provide you their answers quickly and the better associations have so many answers that it often has grown to a list of advantages for the shop.

For instance right now, do they provide services such as benefit programs, garage insurance, uniform and product discounts, office and stationary products discounts, forms, brochures, posters, manuals, training courses, available tax credits or grants that you can use right now to cut your immediate costs and put more money in your till?

What about down the road? Can they prove to you that they are handling the meetings and writing the letters and building the necessary support with media, insurers, suppliers or government? Does the association have the respect and trust it requires to solve your issues? For instance, can they show you or post on their web site or newsletters the meeting presentations or script or news releases showing their successes in addressing your concerns.

TOUGH SCHEDULE

Many professional associations struggle with the daily frustration that they are taking time away from working on needed industry projects that can help shops and instead, are out trying to raise funds to continue on with their good work- from the very shops they are trying to help. If shops better supported their professional trade associations with their membership dues, because of their recognized value for the industry, associations could solve your industry issues quicker.

If your professional trade association is working that hard for you, you should be working hard for them. Their membership dues are fair and you should not only pay their invoice when it arrives, but be calling them to ask to become a more active member. Volunteer to be school speaker, a letter writer or employer/mentor for young students interested in working in our trade on the association's behalf. Only through your help in adding to the
common strength can your professional association make your voice, join with other voices, and become stronger, more effective and listened to where it counts.

John Norris is Executive Director of HARA, the largest local collision repair and auto refinish industry trade association in North America, operating from Hamilton, Ontario. The association also co-chairs the Environmental Compliance Assistance program with government to reduce costs, improve compliance and provide easier help tools for shops at
www.autobodyhelp.ca and 1-866-309-4272.

HARA's mandate and industry objectives and their successes in meeting those objectives are featured at: http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/hara.html

(courtesy of BODYSHOP magazine)

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How did ciia.com help its members and the industry in 2004?

1) New regulations to control deceptive, unfair practices particularly in towing

2) Aided in six charges being laid against local “chasers”

3) New financial monthly newsletter from SB Partners free to members

4) Instituted regional member newsletters to provide more member assistance

5) Made two $75 manuals available free to members

6) New financing of repairs package free to members

7) Updated supplier discount program for members from NEBS

8) New rules on rebuilt airbags and painting air bag covers

9) Expanded CofA and audit assistance made available to shops

10) New rules on additional pricing for salvage vehicle inspections

11) Introduced brand appeal process for total loss vehicles

12) Web site enhancements on www.ciia.com with 2.8 million hits in 12 months

13) Offering free employment online ads for shops and members

14) Sponsored six Basic Estimating classes with discount pricing for members

15) Set up donations program to link schools with suppliers

16) Provide government with new definitions of service provider

17) Working with Halton police on new towing by-law

18) Started new www.autobodyhelp.ca online free assistance

19) Started local area meetings to assist shops

20) Start of apprentice renewal initiative

21) Working on new isocyanate control review program to better protect shops

22) New sprayc.a.r.e accreditation program proposed

23) Draft price list supplied to shops for review

24) 35th annual golf tournament with donation to local charity

25) Special insurers’ panel at October 7 special event

26) Successful introduction of online environmental training

27) Updated WHMIS training offered

28) Ongoing meetings with cabinet ministers on CISCO and Bill 186

29) Presentations to relevant groups – IBC, PAVE, OABR, CISCO, CAMPE

30) New court ordered tow storage rates set for Toronto

31) Requested to Mitchell for re-keying shop help

32) New equivalency package for trades certification updated

33) Request of ADP for rebate of funds due to October disc error

34) New 25% tax credit for hiring apprentices

35) All members receive free online news events information

36) New MOYAP style auto body course being discussed for secondary school

37) New improved benefit program announced

38) Four day meeting with MTO to update salvage brand and inspection program

39) New help package for salvage inspection for shops

40) Over 1000 students completing new training course

41) Simplified self-survey for environmental profitability now available

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NEW HARA CONTACT INFORMATION

The HARA office has new phone numbers. We apologize for any recent inconvenience. We are eager to hear from you and help you with any problems or needs.

Our new contact information is below:

Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA)
mailing: P.O. Box 47594, Centre Mall,
Hamilton, Ontario
L8H 7S7

Office: 350 Dosco Drive, 2nd Floor
Stoney Creek, Ontario
L8E 2N5

Phone (905) 664-7888
Fax (905) 664-3340
Toll free 1-866-309-4272 (HARA)

E-mail hara@ciia.com

Best wishes,

John Norris

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