Blog - Mike's Auto Body

The 2018 Mike’s Auto Body Family Vacation

October 11, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

From August 31 to September 3, approximately 200 Mike’s Auto Body employees went on a cruise that was completely paid for by the company. With their significant others and friends, a total of 378 people attending the 2018 Mike’s Auto Body Family Vacation. The ship departed from Long Beach, CA and visited Ensenada Mexico before returning to Southern California, for three days of fun, sun, great food and good times!

CEO Brennan Rose is proud of the fact that his family business cares about its people and that the Mike’s Auto Body Family Vacation is a piece of that approach. “We enjoyed spending time with our Team members outside of work and we really appreciate all their hard work and effort through the years. It is because of our loyal, dedicated, hardworking Team Members that we are able to go on trips like this.”

CFO Ragen Ortland said “This is the third company cruise we have done and as always it was great time. Being able to spend time with our employees outside work and getting to know their spouses better is always the upside to this event.”

Director of Marketing Dane Dearlove shared his views about Mike’s Auto Body Family Vacation and how it positively impacts the company culture at Mike’s Auto Body. “What a wonderful and thoughtful gesture it is to work for a family that is willing to take all of us on a three-day cruise to Mexico. On top of that, we allow employees to bring spouses or significant others to make it even more special. It shows how important the concepts of “team” and “family” are to all of us. You spend a huge amount of your life at work, away from your family. What starts at the top in our organization, is the belief that we are one big family at work, and when we can, make sure we let the spouses or significant others know how grateful we are to have their loved ones work for us. It shows that we all care about each other, we care about the quality of our work, and we care about our customers.”

Property/Compliance Manager Jennifer Harriman sees that the vacation is a team-building event. “The cruise is a great way to get the MAB Team all together enjoying some fun in the sun. The Rose family appreciates us for our work and dedication and is shows. It is nice that everywhere you go on the ship you run into someone you know (at least in my case since I have been here 20 years).”

Tanya Marvin in Accounting loved the cruise for several reasons. “I am honored to work for a company that shows such appreciation for their employees, so much so that they book an all-inclusive paid vacation on a Cruise to Ensenada! I believe the MAB team was 1/3rd of the boat! During the “Meet and Greet” event the owners (The Rose Family) personally thanked the staff for all their efforts and acknowledged how challenging their jobs are and the industry no less as it ever changes with insurance compliances. Everyone works very hard here at Mikes Auto Body and to have a few days to let your hair down, sit at the pool and get to know people on a more personal level was amazing! We enjoyed the cruise very much, the food, the drinks, the pool and music; it was just what we needed!”

Manager in Fairfield Cory Flies had a memorable time at the 2018 Mike’s Auto Body Family Vacation. “It builds camaraderie and provides us with a chance to build relationships with our fellow team members outside of work. The owners are awesome people and I’d like to thank them for an amazing experience.”

Manager in North Broadway, Walnut Creek Sam Arvizu used the vacation as an opportunity to unwind and relax. “It was all about the food, the pool and the hot tub and visiting with our peers and co-workers that we don’t always get to interact with. This is my second cruise and it is always a really good time. I have been working at Mike’s for almost 25 years now and very proud of it!”

Moving Up the Ladder: at Mike’s Auto Body is a Career Path for Many Jr. Estimators

September 21, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

At Mike’s Auto Body our motto is “Quality Counts” and if you’re an employee for the company, it also should be “Hard Work is Rewarded”. Just ask Lester Ramos, who is our assistant manager in Concord (VDM) and Josh Pachan, who holds the same position in Antioch. They both started out as estimators, but by continually learning and doing everything they could to be better, they are now in management and hope someday to become store managers.

Junior Estimators at Mike’s Auto Body assist estimators with imaging and mapping vehicles; assist with administrative tasks, customer communications, and vehicle repair coordination. They work directly with a journeyman estimator learning the technical side of estimating with an expectation of eventually becoming a journeymen estimator.

To be hired as an estimator, we are always looking for a minimum of five years of experience in areas such as customer service, sales and/or management. They do not need to be directly connected to the collision repair industry. We have discovered that good applicants often possess outstanding oral and written skills and be knowledgeable about cars, as well as being highly organized, detail-oriented, punctual and with excellent telephone and interpersonal skills.

Ramos, 33, worked in the retail world as a server at a restaurant, a salesperson and a department manager prior to applying for a job as an estimator at Mike’s Auto Body in 2012. He received more than one year training under estimator Juan Vargas at our Brentwood location, and the experience was invaluable, Ramos said.

“I learned a lot from Juan by shadowing him and watching him in action. In this job, you have to be learning all the time, because the technology changes literally over night in some instances. Juan helped me to be more comfortable and once I was ready, I was transferred to our Pittsburg location, where I worked for almost two years as a junior estimator.”

To excel within the position, Ramos uses certain skills every day that he can later call upon at Mike’s, including communication skills, and eye for detail and the ability to handle several projects simultaneously.

“I learned how to multi-task when I was working in the restaurant, which is really important if you want to be an estimator in the collision repair industry,” Ramos said. “I write detailed estimates on 30-40 cars every week, so I need to be juggling a lot of things all the time to excel at this job. My former employment set me up for success and enabled me to move up the ladder at Mike’s Auto Body.”

Three months ago, Ramos was promoted to assistant manager, where he oversees the other estimators in Concord and performs some training as well. “In this position, I deal more extensively with other people within the company and motivate them to succeed,” he said. “Customer follow-up, problem-solving and time management all come into play as an assistant manager, and I enjoy every aspect of it.”

Josh Pachan, 32, came from an automotive service background and has been employed at our Antioch location for the past four years. He worked for an auto parts retailer as a store manager for five years before landing a job as a service advisor at a local car dealership for approximately 18 months. The experience and knowledge that he accumulated in those positions helped him tremendously as an estimator and eventually as an assistant manager at Mike’s Auto Body.

Working well with customers is one of his major strengths, Pachan said. “Transparency and accountability are probably the most important qualities that an estimator can have. When people bring their cars to us for repairs, they’re initially skeptical and usually not in a great mood. But, if you’re honest with them and show them that you really want to help, the entire process becomes a lot easier. We have some excellent estimators here at Mike’s who are great teachers and most of our store managers started out as estimators, which is helpful.”

Two years ago, Pachan became an assistant manager in Antioch–a role he enjoys for a wide range of reasons. “It’s never boring and totally satisfying,” he said. “I have been able to refine my skills through training and by excelling every day in a busy environment that is never the same. It’s not just a job; it’s a great career and something I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Both gentlemen are happy to be on the Mike’s Auto Body management team and agree heartily that the company is an awesome place to work. “You can make very good money here with a base salary and performance bonuses,” Ramos said. “We get health insurance; everyone here works well together and the Rose family truly treats us like family.”

Pachan loves his job and covets the company’s passion for doing exemplary work across the board. “They recently took all of us on a 3-day cruise to Mexico–how many companies do that? We work hard here, but we also have fun, which is excellent. Our supervisors are not just our bosses, but they are also friends and that makes it all extremely satisfying. In the end, the motivation to do good job has to come from you, but Mike’s sets you up for success here if you’re willing to learn and grow and progress within the company.”

We are always looking for viable candidates, so please feel free to contact us today at www.mikesautobody.com if you are interested in applying for a position as a junior estimator to set up an interview and get started!

It’s Back to School Time Again!

September 6, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

At Mike’s Auto Body, we realize that the lazy days of summer are finally over, and it’s back to school time. That means waking up the kids rather early, packing up backpacks and lunches and rushing to get to school.

Fall can be a fairly dangerous time of year for pedestrians with too many cars on the road, driving and picking up at the same time. Everyone seems to be in a hurry and tensions can be high potentially leading to more accidents. The National Center for Safe Routes to School said that more kids are hit near schools than any other location.

Five safety tips:

1.) Consider carpooling

Know another family heading in your same direction? Approach them about ride sharing. It will reduce the number of vehicles on the road, meaning less potential accidents. When you are in charge of the carpool, ensure passengers buckle up. Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, not to mention it’s the law.

2.) Obey the rules
Always abide by the speed limit, especially in school zones, which are usually between 15 and 25 mph. Yield to merging buses and follow a safe distance behind as they often stop unexpectedly. Avoid double parking, which blocks visibility and never load or unload children from across the street.

3.) Talk to your children
Take the time to go over drop off and pick up procedures with your children. Remind them to stay inside crosswalks, watch their surroundings and always walk in front of buses and cars, never behind. According to the Safe Routes to Schools, a nonprofit safety organization, 33 percent of youth pedestrian crashes are from kids darting out into the road.

4.) Take extra precautions
Always be aware of your surroundings in case a car stop suddenly or slows down to drop off children. Whether or not you have the right-of-way, always be cautious so you don’t accidentally hit a pedestrian. If you need extra time during drop-off, turn on your hazard lights.

5.) Be courteous
Slow down and pay attention when entering a school zone and kids are present. Turn off your phone and focus your full attention on the road; a call or text can wait. Whenever you are at a red light or ready to turn, don’t block the crosswalk and refrain from passing other vehicles stopping for pedestrians. Always be patient and tolerant of drivers.

A little defensive driving can go a long way to ensure everyone is safe, so follow these simple suggestions and have a safe back to school season. This community blog is brought to you by all of us at Mike’s Auto Body.

Sources: NHTSA and AAA

Mike’s Auto Body’s Community Give Back Program is a Win, Win, Win!

August 20, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

At Mike’s Auto Body, we truly believe it is an honor to serve the communities in which we do business. All of our employees are proud of our charitable efforts. One such charitable effort at Mike’s Auto Body is the Community Give Back program that runs year round.

The Community Give Back program is truly driven by Mike’s Auto Body and their customers. The donation amount comes directly from a percentage of the cost to repair the customer’s own vehicle and sent directly to the charity they have selected. Whether it’s a school, non-profit organization or other charitable cause close to the customer’s heart, it’s just another way for Mike’s Auto Body to give back to the community and allow their customers to decide on the charity who will benefit

One huge fan of Mike’s Auto Body’s Community Give Back Program is Jerry Stone, owner of Jack Stone Insurance Agency in Brentwood, CA. . His agency represents Safeco and Mercury Insurance companies and with more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry, Jerry has always been proactive when it comes to helping his community. The Give Back Program aligns perfectly with his agency’s ongoing mission.

Jerry Stone and his staff

“When a client calls after getting into an accident, we discuss the company that will be repairing the vehicle, and my agency always mentions Mike’s Auto Body and the Community Give Back program,” Stone said. “It immediately gets their attention and that’s why so many of my clients have gotten involved over the years. Mike’s Auto Body is one of our preferred shops and their work and overall customer experience is excellent. The existence of the Give Back Program makes our clients’ decision even easier.”

Jerry has four charities he often recommends to clients if they do not have a specific one in mind. They include Shepherd’s Gate – a shelter for women and children; East County Veteran’s Support Services – which supports veterans and active duty military families, , Kitty 911/K-911 – a pet rescue organization, and the Delta Wrestling Club – a youth wrestling organization. “These are charities we are personally close to but there are so many great non-profit organizations out there, you really can’t go wrong. Mike’s also has an extensive list on their website to choose from, or if you don’t see the charity you would like to benefit, just let them know and they will add the organization to their list” he said.

Upon completion of the repair, a check is sent to the charity and everyone is recognized for doing a good thing by participating in the Give Back Program. “The client feels good about the donation, Mike’s employees feel good knowing they are a part of it, and I get our name out there as well. “It’s a win, win, win!” Stone said. “I really get a kick out of it every time. It creates a sense of goodwill, which is exactly what we want to achieve. People end up calling their friends and telling them to get their vehicles repaired at Mike’s Auto Body and the Give Back Program often plays a pivotal role in that process.”

We can all agree no one chooses to be in an accident situation, but if you find yourself needing Mike’s Auto Body’s services, remember to mention the Give Back Program. You can check out our list of organizations on our website at www.mikesautobody.com under the Community tab. Click on the link for your charity, print and fill out the certificate, and bring it with you when you come in for an estimate. If you don’t see your charity of choice, just let us know and we will add it to the list. Once the repair is complete, Mike’s will send a check for 3% of the total parts and labor directly to your charity along with a letter informing the organization that the gift is from you!!

By donating the money on your behalf, we are working together to make our communities a better place to work, live and raise our families.

Rental Car Insurance: What’s the Best Way to Go?

August 6, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

Summer is here, which means that we will be traveling both domestically and abroad this season and many of us will be renting cars. A perplexing situation that many of us end up in more frequently than we’d like is when we’re renting a vehicle and are asked whether we want to buy insurance. Most people will opt to purchase the rental car insurance for that peace of mind, but in some cases, they may already be insured through their regular insurance. Your personal insurance policies and/or your credit cards might already be protecting you, too, so what should you do?

So, here is some helpful information about this subject, brought to you by all of us at Mike’s Auto Body.

When you rent a vehicle and are offered the chance to add on some insurance, there are typically up to four kinds of coverage to consider:

A loss-damage waiver or collision-damage waiver: If you’re in an accident in a rental car (or it’s stolen), you are typically responsible for the financial loss, which could be costly. With this coverage, the rental company waives that responsibility, relieving you of it.

Liability insurance or supplemental liability insurance: This coverage offers protection from any lawsuits that might arise from any incidents occurring during your rental period.

Personal accident insurance: This coverage is designed to pay for medical costs you (and any passengers) might incur in an accident while renting the car.

Personal effects coverage: This coverage, typically running between $1 and $5 per day, insures your belongings that are with you in your rented car.

The plans listed above might all sound reasonable and even necessary, even though they may cost you a total of $40 or more per day, which can add up over the course of a few days. Fortunately, there’s a good chance that you don’t need any or all of them — because you’re already covered!

You can prepare for the question at the car rental counter by doing a little research before you leave home. Look into your various insurance policies and also your credit card agreements, to see what rental car protections they offer.

If you own a car and carry auto insurance on it, you may have all the collision protection you need in your current policy, as many policies extend such coverage to cars you rent.

Liability insurance is a different matter and is actually required of drivers in most states. The amount of the coverage can vary, though, so know how much you’re covered for and decide whether it’s sufficient — not only for the rental of a car but also for when you’re driving your own car.

Finally, look into your credit card agreements. Many cards these days offer certain rental-car-related insurance policies. The amount of coverage might not be generous, though, and it’s often secondary, meaning that you’ll need to involve your insurance company.

Whether you should buy or decline the insurance offered at the rental car counter will depend on several factors, such as what coverage your other insurance policies and credit cards might offer. If you’d rather keep things simple and safe, buy the coverage. If you’re confident that you’re sufficiently covered elsewhere and are willing to put those policies in action should an unfortunate incident occur, decline it.

Jerry Stone is the owner of Jack Stone Insurance in Brentwood, CA and represents Safeco Insurance and Mercury Insurance. With more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry, he is an expert on every aspect of the business, including rental car coverage. “With most of the policies we write, especially for people with just one vehicle, we automatically include rental car insurance for our clients,” he said. “That way, they get that peace of mind and they don’t have to deal with it when they’re at the rental counter. In most cases, we can save them money on the rental, as long as they are renting a car that is similar to what they currently drive. When you’re on vacation, you don’t want to have to worry about your car insurance and that’s why we always suggest that you incorporate car rental insurance into the plan we write for them.”

If you don’t have car rental insurance through your insurer, it can easily be added at any time, Stone said. “Some people say they don’t want it, but once they realize they will need it, they will call us and put it in their plan. Also, if you have a policy that is liability only, you have to get it or risk going out of pocket if something happens. Insurance is here to protect you, so keep that in mind and avoid taking unnecessary risks, especially when you’re on vacation.”

Kevin Hennessy has been an insurance agent for Farmers for the past 15 years, so he is more than just casually familiar about the topic of rental car insurance. “At Farmers, we always offer our clients pre-negotiated rates and it ends up being a favorable deal,” he said. “They still have to pay their deductibles, so when our customers rent a truck or van for one or two days to move, for example, we suggest that they buy the renter’s insurance on top of our coverage. That way if something happens, they won’t have to pay their deductible and or cover the loss of the vehicle to the rental company. In the end, we want to protect our clients and limit their exposure and that’s a great way to achieve that.”

Hennessy knows that everyone covets the protection that comes with any type of insurance, including rental vehicle insurance. “I always tell people that the goal is to purchase insurance that will hopefully never be used,” he said. “If you are ever unsure about any aspect of your insurance, call an expert to have your questions answered, rather than finding out after the fact.”

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Regional Area Manager Joe See discussed the different types of coverage offered by his company and talks about the benefits of each. “In the end, we want our customers covered so that they won’t run into trouble down the road,” he said. “In many cases, people who rent cars from us are not familiar with these particular vehicles. They may be larger or smaller or different in some way from their regular vehicle and that’s why it’s important for them to be insured. In many cases, the collisions associated with our rental cars are fenders benders, where people back into another vehicle or hit a wall or a pole, for example. They’re not familiar with the car and that’s why these accidents usually occur.”

Purchasing rental car has its own set of advantages, See said. “We offer a wide range of different plans for our customers to choose from,” See said. “Our Supplemental Liability Protection covers up to $1 million in liability claims; we also have special road assistance plans. One of the best things about our insurance is that you won’t have to pay a deductible. In addition, we feature Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) that covers the renter and passengers in the car. It also covers medical expenses, such as an ambulance, potential hospital bills, etc. Or people can opt for our Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) that covers up to the value of the car. Another great thing about buying rental car insurance is that your rates will never go up if you get into an accident.”

Veteran TeJae Dunnivant’s Benevolence Car from Mike’s Auto Body Helped Her in a Time of Need

July 24, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

In 2016, Army Reserve Veteran TeJae Dunnivant and her son received a 2014 VW Jetta from Mike’s Auto Body. The vehicle was donated by CSAA Insurance and the giveaway was sponsored by the Blue Star Moms while Dunnivant was working as a Cal Vet Advisor at the University of California, Berkeley and pursuing her degree. At the time, she needed the car to get to and from school and other chores, but when life through TeJae a curveball, the Benevolence program vehicle from Mike’s Auto Body became even more instrumental to the survival of her and her family.

Three months after receiving the vehicle, TeJae found out that her son Asad (now 12) had leukemia. “In February of 2017, we got the news and of course that was a major shock,” she said. “When I originally wrote my letter for the car, I stated that I needed it to go to the grocery store and go to the food banks, which is hard to do on foot. But, now we were using it to go back and forth from Albany where we live to Oakland Children’s Hospital, so the car became a lot more important lifeline for us and a more major part of our lives.”

With Asad’s diagnosis, public transportation wasn’t even an option, so the car made it even more important, TeJae explained. “Once your child has AML leukemia like Asad has, they undergo bone marrow transplant, which means it kills his immune system and can’t be on public transportation. For a full year, he was not allowed to go on the bus, so the car was a true blessing. All I kept thinking was thank God I got this car from Mike’s Auto Body.”

It was a stressful time and the vehicle helped TeJae to get through this anxious and uncertain time, she said. “The car was key for many reasons, and it made our lives a little easier. We were going through a very tough period, but at least I didn’t have to worry about transportation. When things get like that, stuff can really pile up, but at least we didn’t have any anxiety about not having transportation.i”

After Asad’s treatments, getting food for him to eat was essential and that’s where the vehicle was even more vital. “Asad lost his hair and the treatment killed his taste buds, so I had to go to the grocery store to get food that he could eat,” TeJae said. “He had to eat only processed food, because fresh fruit and vegetables can contain bacteria. So, I was constantly going to Trader Joe’s to buy things such as Indian frozen food that he would like and that he could eat. His diet was very limited, but by getting the right food, he was able to eat and keep his strength up.”

Amazingly, during this very stressful time, TeJae was able to stay in school at Cal and pursue her degree in Media Studies. “A lot of people were telling me that it’s crazy for me to stay in school while my child was undergoing cancer treatment,” she said. “But with the Jetta, I could go from the hospital to school and not drop out, which was a big deal for me. This summer, I will be completing my last two classes and earn my degree. In the spring, I walked through my graduation, so I am so excited about the next chapter in my life.”

Ironically, TeJae worked on a fellowship team at UC Berkeley developing an augmented reality product that is designed to mitigate anxiety in children undergoing cancer treatment. “We took it all from ideation all the way to the prototype stage and we’re now applying for full certification, she said.”It may lead to becoming a startup now. We’re pretty excited about it, because it will help children to alleviate their anxiety when they are going through cancer treatment. I am now working with some of the best oncologists at Oakland Children’s Hospital to work with the children with our prototype.”

Asad’s treatment is now done and he is definitely almost completely recovered at this point, TeJae said. “He got his second round of immunizations; his hair has grown back and he is gaining weight, which is wonderful. He is not still in school, because he isn’t completely immunized yet, but he is scheduled to go back to school in the fall.”

CFO Ragen Rose at Mike’s Auto Body discussed the value of her company’s Benevolence Program that is now in its 18th year. “It is an amazing experience every time we see the recipients get their cars,” she said. “Everyone has to be able to get around and get to work–taking the kids to school, sports, doctor’s appointments, etc. We know that having a reliable car makes a huge difference and sometimes we take it for granted. The goal of this program is to make that difference in peoples’ lives and that’s why I am very proud to say that we really care about the people and the communities we work and live in.”

CEO Brennan Rose at Mike’s Auto Body never gets tired of helping people by giving them the gift of transportation. “The day of our Benevolence Program is one of the best days of the year for us,” he said. “It brings our dealership partners, our insurance partners and our technician teams together to make this happen with a charity we partner with. They all come together to find the right vehicle, get the right parts, repair it the right way, and find the right recipient to make this happen. On top of this, we have many local insurance agents donating presents to put in the car and be a part of our event. This program gives all of us at Mike’s Auto Body a sense of great pride and that’s why we’re are so grateful for the partnerships we have.”

Looking back on the Benevolence car and what followed, TeJae is moving forward and looking for better days. “Yes, it has been a tough journey, but we are proud of ourselves and so thankful for the car,” she said. “Not everyone gets a vehicle from Mike’s Auto Body and this experience has been incredible. Asad came through the treatment and I am graduating from Cal and none of this would have happened without the Benevolence program at Mike’s Auto Body. I would like to thank former recipient and Cal student Tito Ramos for recommending me for the car and of course I would also like to thank everyone at Mike’s for helping us in so many ways!”

Phone

Shop Finder

Shop
Finder enter zip
or address

Main Menu

Social