Collision Coffee Talk

Tesla once paid a Russian hacker known as Green to find vulnerabilities in its systems. Years later, that same expertise helped attorneys uncover vehicle data connected to a fatal crash case that resulted in a $243 million verdict. But this episode is not really about the Cold War drama of a hacker double cross. It is about the future of automotive litigation. Modern vehicles are no longer just me...

Connected vehicle data is changing the insurance claim before most shops, adjusters, and consumers fully understand what is happening. In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder breaks down several stories that may look separate on the surface — the recent Tesla crash allegations, unintended acceleration questions, State Farm’s Toyota connected-vehicle data agreement, CCC’s growing r...

Stop letting the collision industry gaslight you! In this episode of Coffee Talk, we are tearing down the fake narratives, exposing conflicting interests on the CAPA board, and telling the truth about what it takes for independent shops to survive right now. 👇 SUBSCRIBE for raw, unfiltered collision industry truths every week:   / @collisionhub  💥 WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS HIDING FROM YOU TODAY: The...

Trump seems to square off with Ford Motor Company  State Farm is back in the spotlight — and this time, the bigger story may not be one claim, one headline, or one company response. It may be the pattern of signals the industry keeps ignoring. In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder breaks down why State Farm Blows It AGAIN! How the latest claim-handling controversy connects to a...

State Farm’s legal troubles are growing—and artificial intelligence may be changing the litigation landscape faster than insurers, repairers, and consumers realize. In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder examines State Farm’s proposed $8.8 million diminished-value class-action settlement, the expanding use of AI by law firms, the rise of multidistrict litigation, and the growing...

In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we’re looking at how fast the claims environment is changing — and why collision repairers, appraisers, and consumers need to pay attention. We start with a major policy discussion: does policy language trump steering, appraisal, or repair decisions? From “our option” clauses to payment in money versus repair obligations, this issue could reshape how shops...

Driven Brands finally filed its updated financial reporting and avoided being delisted from NASDAQ — but the bigger question is what those filings reveal about the future of its collision repair assets. Is the company stabilizing, repositioning, or preparing for something much bigger behind the scenes? This week on Collision Coffee Talk, we dig into the numbers, the warnings, and what collision re...

State Farm just made a major move in Texas by suddenly deciding to pay all RTAs directly — and that raises a much bigger question for the collision repair industry: what changed, and why now? In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we dig into the latest shift in Texas claim handling, what it could mean for shops, and why this may be another sign that documentation, itemization, and pressure are...

From California wildfire claims to Ohio total loss lawsuits, from DRP funneling to supplier pressure and OE repair history, this episode connects the dots the industry cannot afford to ignore. Because when the biggest players in the room start acting like accountability is optional, someone has to say it out loud. Just when you thought State Farm’s response to their consumers could not get any wor...

This week on Collision Coffee Talk, we dig into one of the biggest themes reshaping collision repair and auto claims right now: the growing gap between what the insurance industry says is happening and what shops, consumers, and claim professionals are actually experiencing. We start in Texas, where the Texas Department of Insurance has issued revised rules involving Right to Appraisal and who can...

This week on Collision Coffee Talk, we’re looking at some of the biggest red flags hitting collision repair, insurance claims, OEM certification programs, and consumers right now. Insurance companies are now writing eBay parts on repair estimates — and that raises a serious question: do they really expect shops or vehicle owners to chase used, non-returnable parts from strangers just to complete a...

We’re talking about GEICO claims handling practices and the internal “secrets” shops and consumers say they are never told while claims are still being denied. We also cover the bizarre California bear suit fraud case, where a group was arrested after allegedly faking animal damage to support insurance claims. We dig into the growing pressure on State Farm, including new federal attention over Mis...

In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we break down some of the biggest issues shaping collision repair, insurance claims, and the growing tension between shops and carriers. We cover the reported State Farm and Progressive ACV suit settlements, the Travelers $2 billion bad faith suit, and a deeper question that keeps getting harder to ignore: what happened to claims handling? We also dig into...

What if one of the biggest truths in collision repair was said out loud by someone on the inside? In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we break down a stunning admission from a regional manager at one of the nation’s largest MSOs: across 54 DRP locations, not one would be held out as an example of performing proper repairs to OE standards. Let that sink in. Why does that matter? Because insur...

In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we’re diving straight into the issues everyone in collision repair, insurance, and claims should be talking about right now. We break down more Tesla lawsuits, why some industry messaging is really an insult, and how AI estimating subtraction is quietly reshaping repair conversations in ways shops cannot afford to ignore. We also look at why Gerber’s finan...

Just when you thought it could not get worse for Carstar Maaco, Fix Auto and ATI.... A new filing asking for time with creditors had AI calling it a 'Death Spiral' and sure failure for the company.  We also throw in a good old fashioned Claims Committee discussing deducting shop total loss fees from customer ACV settlements.  Lots more in this weeks episode of Collision Coffee Talk  If you operate...

In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we break down some of the biggest stories shaping the collision repair and auto insurance world right now. From legal battles and industry secrets to financial pressures affecting shops and consumers, this episode connects the dots between claims handling, repair economics, and insurer behavior. Here’s what we’re discussing this week: ☕ The Secret of the...

In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, we unpack several major developments that could significantly impact insurers, adjusters, and collision repair shops right now. We start with State Farm’s $4.6 billion dividend refund to policyholders and why the timing matters. We connect the announcement to the long shadow of the Avery v. State Farm litigation and discuss how historical court findings, o...

This week we’re covering some of the biggest conversations happening right now between body shops, insurers, and regulators — and why they actually matter to YOU! We break down a developing bad-faith discussion involving a major insurer, what “certified collision” really means from a legal liability standpoint, and why OEM repair procedures are becoming one of the most important — and most misunde...

It actually was a busy week of making people angry and starting fights online. We'll break down how the MN Department Of Insurance is handing out fines moving STP to STFU. State Farm has a few days left on the discovery mandate in Oklahoma. While we wait to see what new delay tactic they will use, let's talk about how they denied their own employees claim who was dying of Cancer.  Pour a cup........

Stop me if you've heard this one. A judge is really angry at State Farm and IA was arrested and booked over his email in a Right To Appraisal Umpire decision.  This is a really good episode!  The REAL National Association , ASA and why it has to be our focus in 2026 Bodyshop ICE  Judge Orders State Farm To Produce  Paint Sales Are DOWN IA’s Arrested!  LKQ Is On the Block The Wage Crash of 2025  Wh...

Put on your tin foil hat and pour a cup of coffee. For this episode we're going down the rabbit hole. Learn how the legal battle in Oklahoma with State Farm actually points to a far deeper intent and problem(s) for collision repair shops. We'll also talk about some scams and ICE problems. 

You take one week off and things get crazy!  On Monday Opus and asTech officially announced their intent to merge the companies after the story had broke back in November during SEMA. Why wait so long? Well the Department of Justice (DOJ) seems to be interviewing half the industry stating they are doing an anti-trust investigation on the merger. Then for some reason..... last week during CIC, asTe...

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction and the latest statements from Progressive are out there.  Can you imagine the field adjuster 4 weeks on the job that can not change a flat tire is now in charge of the inspections after a collision and customer safety?  Don't worry, they send you a picture. 

We took a week off and came back to a new year and new problems within the Collision Repair Industry.  Let's kick this year off right:  German Car Manufactures opposite repair strategies  How Can Propaganda Help Shops With Short Pay  Tesla Keeps Taking Hits  What's the greatest lie told to shops?