Established 2025

Michigan's Collision Shops
Deserve a Voice
in Lansing

The Michigan Auto Body Association is a statewide professional organization committed to advocating for collision repair shops and the consumers they serve, working toward fair legislation, ethical standards, and safe repairs.

Become a Founding Member → Our Legislative Goals
1,000s
Collision repair shops across Michigan
Without a unified voice in Lansing until now
$0
Current lobbying budget for Michigan body shops
Member dues and sponsorships are building toward professional representation
0
Statewide associations for collision repair alone before MABA
In the state that built the automobile industry
25+ Years
Rhode Island's ABARI has advocated for safe repairs and consumer choice
Their model is our blueprint for Michigan
Save the Date

MABA Open House

Friday, October 23  |  1:00 to 6:00 PM  |  America's Most Wanted 4x4, Burton

Meet the board, tour a world-class facility, hear from SCRS about member benefits, and enjoy pizza with your peers. Free to attend and open to everyone in Michigan collision repair.

RSVP Now → Event Details

The Rules for Repairing Michigan's Vehicles Are Written in Lansing.

Decisions about repair standards, consumer choice, parts, towing and storage, and claims practices are made every legislative session, often without input from the shops and technicians who do the work. Those rules affect every family on the road. MABA exists to give Michigan's collision repair professionals, and the drivers they serve, a seat at the table when they are written.

Our Mission

Integrity. Advocacy.
Safe Repairs.

The Michigan Auto Body Association (MABA) is a statewide professional association committed to a strict code of ethics to ensure the integrity of the collision repair industry and to serve Michigan's motoring public through honesty, quality, and service.

Modeled in part on the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island (ABARI), MABA's goal is to build a unified voice for Michigan's collision repair professionals in Lansing. Today that means monitoring legislation and mobilizing members when it counts, and as our membership grows, so does our ability to advocate for laws that support proper, safe repairs at a fair price, consumer choice, and fair treatment for Michigan drivers.

Michigan built the automobile. It's time Michigan led the way in protecting the people who repair them.

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Legislative Monitoring & Alerts

We track legislation that affects Michigan collision repair, alert members when it matters, and organize letters and calls to action. As our membership grows, so does our voice in Lansing.

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Consumer Protection

Supporting every driver's right to choose their own repair shop, understand their repair, and receive a safe, complete repair that follows manufacturer procedures.

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Professional Standards

Advocating for OEM repair procedures and ethical business practices that raise the bar for the entire industry and protect the driving public.

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A Unified Voice

Giving Michigan collision repair shops collective representation on the issues that affect the trade and the safety of every motorist.

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Industry Education

Keeping members informed about legislative changes and industry developments, with education access through included SCRS membership.

Legislative Goals

The Change We're Working Toward
in the State Capitol

As MABA grows, these are the changes we aim to pursue in Lansing. Each one is already law in Rhode Island, proof of what an organized collision repair community can accomplish over time.

01

Fair Labor Rate Surveys

Require annual, transparent labor rate surveys based on the actual rates shops charge, so the "prevailing rate" used in claims reflects the real market rather than contract rates alone.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-29-4.4
02

Anti-Steering Protections

Strengthen Michigan's consumer choice law with clear standards for what is and is not allowed when a claimant is choosing a repair shop, including how repair warranties and network programs are described.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — Consumer Free Choice provisions
03

OEM Repair Procedure Compliance

Recognize documented repair procedures that the vehicle manufacturer or paint manufacturer identifies as required or recommended as part of a covered repair, so safety is the standard every repair is measured against.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — Senate Bill S0901
04

Sublet & Markup Reimbursement

Clarify that necessary sublet services such as towing, alignments, ADAS calibrations, and mechanical work are part of a covered repair, including a reasonable charge for coordinating them.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — Unfair Claims Practices Act
05

Direct Payment to Shops

When the consumer requests it, allow payment for covered repairs to go directly to the licensed repair shop the consumer chose, reducing delays for drivers and shops alike.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — HB 7507 / SB 2681
06

Unfair Claims Practices Enforcement

Make these standards part of Michigan's unfair claims practices law, so they apply consistently to every claim on a Michigan-registered vehicle and can be enforced by the state.

✓ Enacted in Rhode Island — H6324 / S870
Why Now

The Time to Act is Today

📈

Rising Repair Costs

The equipment, training, and certification needed to repair today's vehicles cost more every year. Shops need a voice in how repair rates and standards are set so they can keep investing in safe repairs.

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Repair Complexity

Modern vehicles require ADAS calibrations, advanced materials expertise, and manufacturer-specific procedures. Michigan law should keep pace with how vehicles are built and repaired today.

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Industry Consolidation

The collision repair industry is consolidating. Locally owned shops give Michigan drivers real choices close to home, and they need a voice to stay part of the market.

👨‍🔧

Technician Shortage

Michigan needs more trained collision repair technicians. Recruiting and keeping skilled people takes competitive wages, ongoing training, and a strong connection between shops and the schools that train the next generation.

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Consumer Safety

A vehicle repaired without the manufacturer's procedures may not perform as designed in a future collision. Safe repairs are a public safety issue, and drivers deserve to know how their vehicle was repaired.

💰

A Seat at the Table

Many groups with a stake in collision repair are represented in Lansing. Until MABA, Michigan's collision repair shops were not. A unified association makes sure their experience, and their customers' interests, are part of the conversation.

Membership

Join as a Founding Member

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Legislative Monitoring & Member Alerts

We track bills that affect your business, alert you when something matters, and give you ready-to-send letters and clear guidance for contacting your own legislators. As our membership grows, so does our push for fair labor rates, consumer choice, and OEM repair procedures.

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Included SCRS National Membership

Every Regular Member location is enrolled in the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, a $475 annual value, carrying access to SCRS healthcare and 401(k) programs, Repairer Driven News, and more.

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Included CARS Cooperative Membership

Every Regular Member receives a CARS Connection PLUS membership at no cost, sponsored by MABA, including 5% cash back on I-CAR online classes and discounts with CARS vendor partners.

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MABA Member Insignia

Display the MABA member insignia and certificate, signaling to consumers that your shop stands with an association working for repairers and the driving public.

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Industry Education

Access to industry education through your included SCRS membership, including Repairer Driven Education and estimating resources.

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Member Community

A growing community of Michigan shop owners who share your challenges, with member connection and communication tools developing as the association grows.

Express Your Interest

We're building Michigan's collision repair voice. Fill out this form to be contacted about founding membership.

Ready to join now? See membership classes and dues on our Join page.

Michigan Built
the Automobile.
Let's Protect the
People Who Repair Them.

Join us in building a strong, respected voice for Michigan collision repair. Together, we'll work for fair laws, safe repairs, and a real seat at the table in Lansing.

Become a Founding Member → Contact Us