P&A Online

December 21, 2011

Welcome to P&A Online, a monthly eMagazine dedicated to the interests and concerns of providers and administrators of automotive finance and insurance products.

P&A Online is your source for industry news and updates as well as original feature articles to keep you well-informed of best practices and trends.

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New Year, New Options: The Benefits of Third Party Parts Sourcing for Claims Administrators

As we quickly approach the end of another year, it's time for those of us in the Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) industry to embrace the idea of getting "out with the old, and in with the new." While this phrase can mean many different things to many different people, there is a clear way we ... Read More »

Theft Protection and Recovery Through Microdots

The new weapons against theft are the black light and a microscope. Law enforcement can now use a black light for quick identification of stolen vehicles or automotive components and a microscope to determine the property's owner. DataDot Dealer Services (DDS) offers, a theft deterrent system that utilizes a unique microdot identifier that is fitted ... Read More »

Interview with Kerper-Bowron, Actuarial Insurance Consulting Firm

The actuarial and insurance consulting company of Kerper-Bowron took time out of their schedule to provide P&A Magazine with an overview of the company. The company specializes in evaluating property and casualty exposures, including extended warranty, vehicle service contracts, personal and commercial lines, and environmental reserving. Their client list includes insurance companies, state governments, reinsurance ... Read More »

Must Read Articles of 2011

It is with great enthusiasm that I join the P&A Magazine team as managing editor. To be back and reconnecting with those in the industry has been great and I look forward to developing new business relationships with those I've yet to meet. My past experience as executive editor with World of Special Finance Magazine ... Read More »

Family First Dealer Services and BBVA Compass Bank Announce Lender Approval of the Trade-In Protection Program

JACKSONVILLE – Family First Dealer Services LLC and BBVA Compass Bank announced the addition of Trade-In Protection to its approved list of optional products for sale through its' Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Dealers. Trade-In Protection is an optional product which provides a benefit of up to $5,000* towards a customers' potential negative equity, when they ... Read More »

NAC Announces Release of Easy to Use 24/7 Online Claims System

WESTERVILLE – NAC announced the expansion of their online technology to now include a new 24-hour online claims submission service. Designed to address the efficiency gaps and time-of-day restrictions vehicle dealership service departments work within, the new 24/7 online claims system enables quick and simple submission of claims to NAC whenever it is most convenient ... Read More »

The Warranty Group Recognized at International Creative Competition

CHICAGO – The Warranty Group, Inc., a provider of extended warranty and related programs,announced it has been recognized for its marketing creative at the MarCom Awards, presented by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. The competition has ... Read More »

CNA National Selects Dino DeAngelis for VP of Business Development

SCOTTSDALE — CNA National announced that Dino DeAngelis joined the sales team as vice president of business development. "CNA National is continuing to enhance our sales organization in order to expand our position as marketshare leader," says Alan Miller, senior vice president of sales. "Dino brings extensive accomplishments in developing automobile-related products and fostering successful ... Read More »

Saab Automobile, 1950-2011

Saab Automobile is dead. The company, which started selling cars 61 years ago, declared itself bankrupt on Monday, setting the stage for a forced liquidation of the storied, but troubled Swedish car maker. The filing was triggered after former owner General Motors Co., which licensed its key technology, objected to deals with potential Chinese investors, ... Read More »

Honda Scrambles to Revamp Civic

ROMULUS — Honda is scrambling to revamp its Civic just eight months after a new version hit showrooms, and critics say it’s an admission that the compact car fell short in quality and handling. The revamp, to come by the end of 2012, is rare because new models aren’t usually overhauled for at least three ... Read More »

Edmunds.com Predicts 13.6 Million-Unit Year for 2012

SANTA MONICA — A sales forecast by Edmunds.com indicated that an estimated 13.6 million new cars and trucks will be sold in 2012. The website's forecast anticipates a solid increase over 2011 new-car sales, which could come in as high as 12.8 million vehicles when December comes to a close. "With annual sales still far ... Read More »

Colorado Puts the Brakes on TrueCar

After hitting an impasse with auto industry skeptics, TrueCar is facing another setback. The embattled company and its dealers were notified by the Colorado Department of Revenue that they could be in violation of five of the state's advertising rules, according to a letter released on Dec. 15. According to the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, ... Read More »

Insurance Institute Gives 115 Vehicles Top Safety Rating

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today releases its list of Top Safety Picks – the 2012 model-year vehicles with the best crash-test ratings. The auto-safety research group, which is funded by the insurance industry, said 115 vehicles made the list this time around. The results reflect efforts by car makers to strengthen the roofs ... Read More »

Ford, Hyundai,VW to Vie for Car of the Year

For many people this is the time of year for drummers drumming, pipers piping and chestnuts roasting. But if you are into cars, it is time to hear which vehicles are finalists for the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. With so many car-of-the-year titles being tossed around one might wonder ... Read More »

TransUnion Expects Delinquencies to Remain Low in 2012

CHICAGO — TransUnion said this week that the ratio of auto loan borrowers 60 or more days past due will remain the same between now and 2012. The credit reporting agency also predicts that the 60-day delinquency rate will remain unchanged at the end of 2012, and predicted that it will decrease in the first ... Read More »

Microsoft, Nissan Forge DMS Relationship

REDMOND — Microsoft Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. announced a strategic relationship to collaborate and create a next-generation dealer management system based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The solution will utilize the Windows Azure platform, taking advantage of the economies of scale and flexibility offered by Microsoft’s public cloud offerings, according to Nissan. "Customer loyalty ... Read More »