Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: Darwinism is a theory of biological evolution developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882) and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.

As a Christian, I’m to believe in Creationism, but as a working person in the collision industry, I do believe Darwinism has a rightful place in this world; especially, the business one.

There’s a bit of a sigh here at WMABA headquarters, when we start talking about proper repair procedures. The sigh usually comes after a call with an elite repairer who is not getting reimbursed for an OEM procedure by an insurer, and they either feel disheartened and defeated or mad as a hornet. I hang up feeling precisely the same way.

Larry Montanez, Mike Anderson, Aaron Schulenburg, and a slew of other industry notables are constantly giving sermon to the repair industry about what it means to be a respectable repairer, and what those repairers do to differentiate themselves. They have the current equipment required of OEM programs, they follow repair procedures, they constantly train, they pay attention to the national scene, and so on and so on. Above all else, they adapt to change. (Keep in mind, this is regardless of being DRP or not, so no excuses.)

So, the question I have is: When do the “bottom feeders” get culled out? When do those who give no regard to doing the right thing get the chain, the hook, the rope? How can we “evolve” and leave those amoeba creatures behind, when we all know that the state of technology in today’s vehicles is demanding it with an iron fist?

I have no answer. I would like to think there is a government agency, peer pressure, whistleblowing, lawsuits, or something to point at to save the day. We get a new sheriff in town, if you will. Trust me, my level of frustration is same to those who fight daily to get their proper repair procedures, fair labor rates and times, and material reimbursements paid for without a slew of back-and-forth or “maneuvering”. It’s simply exhausting.

Therefore, what is a half-century old association to do? We berate the Bureaus of Insurance, go to the media, stomp and shout, and hope to get the message heard. There just isn’t going to be any change unless nagging occurs. Relentlessness should win the day, and to only balance those who relentlessly dig their heels to move in a thoughtful direction.

Let’s give evolution a shove, shall we?