Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI) spokesperson, attorney Jina Petrarca-Karampetsos, explains the state’s move to designate Class A and Class B shops.

This spring, Rhode Island will begin to fully implement its new, two-tiered collision repair business licensing program, in which body shops will be designated as either Class A or Class B businesses.

The law, which passed during last summer’s legislative sessions, was backed heavily by the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI). The organization’s spokesperson, attorney Jina Petrarca-Karampetsos, grew up in her father’s Rhode Island collision business, Providence Auto Body, and was one of the guiding forces in getting the legislation passed. She explains the new regulation, why it exists, and why it could serve as an example for a potential solution for the rest of the industry.

A Florida car crash victim says she trusted the insurance company to steer her to a quality repair shop.

Now Sheila New says she’s scared to get behind the wheel of her own vehicle.

Experts say she has a good reason to fear for her family’s safety.

Read this story and see the unbelievable investigation video using these links:

• AutoBodyNews.com

• ABCActionNews.com

Providence Auto Body is Rhode Island’s largest volume repair facility. We pride ourselves on the highest quality workmanship every day for every customer.

Our staff is expertly trained in all areas needed to fulfill our mission of being tested, trusted and always recommended.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career, an exciting, challenging and fulfilling position at Providence Auto Body may be waiting for you.

We are currently seeking:

• Techs with 5 or more years experience (Providence Auto Body will pay for training to obtainyour aluminum certification)

• Painters

• Painters Helpers

…and more!

Please send your resume using the form below.

Providence Auto Body is proud to announce that we are the first shop certified to repair Ford Aluminum Vehicles, including the popular F150 trucks.

Our technicians have been specially trained in the proper welding techniques in all aspects of welds used in repairing aluminum vehicle structures.

Included in the certification process was very rigorous training, which instruct our technicians on how to properly repair your vehicles, including:

• Understand safe practices when working with aluminum
• Identify the heating limits for straightening
• Understand the position on repairing cracks in aluminum parts and in the frame assembly
• Determine the approved adhesive required
• Describe what types of rivets are approved for use on vehicles
• Understand what is different about welding on aluminum than steel
• Understand what steel strengths are used and what frame repairs are supported

Not only do we properly repair Ford Aluminum vehicles, we are certified specialists on many other aluminum body vehicles as well. Click here to learn more.

Providence Auto Body is proud to announce that we are certified to repair aluminum vehicles, including being Rhode Island’s first shop certified to repair Ford aluminum body vehicles.

Our technicians have been specially trained in the proper welding techniques in all aspects of welds used in repairing aluminum vehicle structures.

Included in the certification process was very rigorous training, which instruct our technicians on how to properly repair your vehicles, including:

• Understand safe practices when working with aluminum
• Identify the heating limits for straightening
• Understand the position on repairing cracks in aluminum parts and in the frame assembly
• Determine the approved adhesive required
• Describe what types of rivets are approved for use on vehicles
• Understand what is different about welding on aluminum than steel
• Understand what steel strengths are used and what frame repairs are supported

Look inside our world-class repair facility:

Remember – you have the legal right to choose the shop that repairs your vehicle. Providence Auto Body is proud to have properly trained technicians prepared to serve you.

Leave it to the professionals at Providence Auto Body!

Certified Specialists

Providence Auto Body has been certified and recognized by multiple manufacturers. This ensures that we perform the highest level of service for our customers.

The insurance companies want you to use aftermarket parts after your accident because it’s cheaper for them. You don’t, and shouldn’t stand for

Some shops use aftermarket parts on older vehicles. The law in Rhode Island currently states that the insurer cannot force a consumer whose vehicle is 30 months or newer to accept aftermarket parts in the repair. In this instance, they can only be used with written authorization. ABARI believes there is a place in the market for aftermarket parts – but not on a new car.

Keeping or buying a total loss vehicle if your vehicle has been declared a total loss may leave  you wondering what that actually means in legal terms.

Simply stated a “total loss” means that an insurance company decided it was more practical to pay for the value of the car than it was to pay for the repair of the car. This does not mean the car is not safe to repair just not practical bases on the cost of parts and labor to repair it.

The Auto Body Association of Rhode Island has successfully lobbied for a law that protects consumers and requires a vehicle be totaled at 75% unless the consumer prefers to total it for less.

In simple math a car worth $10,000 dollars will be repaired if the cost is less than $7,500. If the cost is over that then it will usually be declared a total loss If your car was determined a total loss by an insurance company there is a lot you should know before agreeing to keep that vehicle with the thoughts of fixing it yourself and returning it to the road. The vehicle will not be able to be registered in Rhode Island until all the process is completed.

A list of the requirements can be found at the Division Of Motor Vehicles Website, by clicking here.

Or you can call the enforcement section of the D.M.V. at Phone: (401) 462-5736

It is very important to note that only a licensed salvage rebuilder can repair and give you the needed certificate to get the car inspected. Most body shops do not have the separate salvage rebuilder’s license. If you do not have your vehicle fixed by a licensed salvage rebuilder you will not be able to get your car inspected.

These are the steps involved in keeping your car after it is deemed a total loss to be able to register it again. ABARI recommends that for most people the cost and steps involved seldom makes a wise choice to keep a vehicle that has been deemed a total loss.

We would caution any person who is considering keeping a total loss car to make sure they have factored all the costs involved and pre-select a licensed salvage rebuilder to work with you before making this decision.

→ Please click here to visit the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation for a complete list of licensed salvage rebuilders.

This 2015  featured investigation from CNN’s “AC360″ with Anderson Cooper brings to light the fact that insurance companies are often times skimping on safety by using “recycled, remanufactured” and often “junk” parts to repair your car – and pad their profits.

• Click here to view the segment in full on CNN.com

Excerpts from the segment:

Car repair shops say auto insurance companies are coercing them to use cheap parts and sometimes dangerous practices to fix vehicles involved in accidents.

“It is just not in the economic interest of the insurer to have a car go in and out of an auto body shop three or four times to get it right,” said Alldredge. “And so the notion that somehow this is meant to … do shoddy work or to encourage the idea that we have to get it done quickly and move on to the next one really isn’t in the insurance company’s economic interest.”

“The insurance company may provide a list of auto body shops, and the customer can say, ‘No. I wanna go to Joe’s Body Shop around the corner.’ And that’s their choice. The issue of steering is already something that’s not consistent with state law and not something that insurance companies do,” he said.

• Click here to read the full report on CNN.com

Providence Auto Body uses Angie’s List to assess whether we’re doing a good job keeping valued customers like you happy. Please visit AngiesList.com/Review/276563 in order to grade our quality of work and customer service.

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Proud to be the first shop in Rhode Island certified shop to repair Ford’s All-Aluminum body vehicles! Leave it to the professionals at Providence Auto Body!

Certified Specialists

Providence Auto Body is proud to be certified and recognized by multiple manufacturers. This ensures that we perform the highest level of service for our customers.