Blog - Page 3 of 35 - Mike's Auto Body

The Nolan Family Uses Benevolence Car to Improve Their Lives

October 29, 2018 by Ed Attanasio

Some Benevolence cars are used by their recipients for many years as a reliable form of daily transportation while others eventually sell them or give them to family members. Either way, the vehicle helps these families and individuals to enhance their lives while setting them up for success.

In this scenario, Cassidy Nolan and his wife Jillian and their two children (now three) drove their completely refurbished 2015 Chrysler 200 from Mike’s Auto Body until their family increased in size, requiring a larger vehicle. “We now have a third child, Colt Maximus Nolan, so we had to get a bigger car, so now we have a 2016 Ford Explorer,” Cassidy explained. “But without the money we received for the sale of the Chrysler, we never would have been able to acquire our new vehicle.”

“When we got the car from Mike’s Auto Body, it offered us mobility and enabled us to achieve so many things that wouldn’t have been able to do,” he said. “We were able to go on a couple family vacations because of that car, so it definitely improved our overall quality of life. We were able to visit family in Chico, CA and also visited the Monterey Aquarium. It also gave us financial support, so that we could get to the next level when the time came.”

At the time of the presentation, Cassidy was a student at Napa Valley Community College (NVC) student, but now he is enrolled at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, where he is currently taking 14.5 credits. His goal is to graduate in June, 2019, to continue his career in real estate. He is also the Social Media Director of Cal’s Veteran’s Club, a position he also held at NVC while he was attending there.

The day when the Nolan family received their Benevolence car will always be remembered as a special experience for many reasons. “We found out that Jillian was pregnant two days before, so we were obviously thrilled. In addition, I received the 2016 Veteran of the Year for the 4th Assembly District during that same time, so it was a phenomenal moment for many reasons.”

It marked the 60th vehicle that Mike’s Auto Body has given away as part of its 16-year-old Benevolence Program and a great start to kick off that year’s program. Nolan was sponsored by the Pathway Home in Napa that provides veterans with educational, professional and clinical support designed to enhance their lives following military service. Eight technicians at Mike’s Auto Body also donated all of their time to refurbish the vehicle.

In addition to the refurbished vehicle, the Nolan family also received one year of insurance paid for by Mike’s Auto Body and provided by Napa State Farm Agent Melinda Adams. In addition, Mike’s Auto Body also donated a trunk load of gifts for the Nolan family.

Now looking back on the entire experience, Cassidy and Jillian Nolan are both humble and grateful. “This car helped us so much, and one of the best things about it is that I got to see my husband more frequently,” Jillian said. “The Benevolence vehicle gave us something you can’t buy and that’s time.”

Cassidy agrees and we like to thank everyone at Mike’s Auto Body for this unusual act of kindness, he said. “The folks at Mike’s are all about helping people and the Benevolence Program is a prime example of that. A car represents a lot of things–freedom, independence and the ability to have a better and more productive life and that’s what our Benevolence vehicle did. It set us up for success and it still giving, through the use of our new car.”

Originally published in Autobody News

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.”

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