In this episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Sean Preston (Managing Attorney at Coverall Law) and shop owner Brian Bernard (Total Care Accident Repair) to discuss how to bulletproof your collision center against liability and insurance bullying.

It is a highly regulated industry, and most shop owners don’t know what they don’t know until they get served a lawsuit. In this conversation, we break down why your current authorization forms are likely leaving you exposed, why insurers are suing shops (and how to stop them), and the exact strategy Brian is using to ensure he gets paid for every procedure he performs.

This episode is a masterclass on moving from "reactive" to "proactive" so you can sleep at night knowing your house is in order.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🛡️ The "Forever Forms" Revolution: Sean explains how he condensed 9 complex legal documents into a single, bulletproof intake form that evolves with the law, protecting you, getting you paid, and keeping you compliant with one signature.

⚖️ Unlimited Liability: Why every dollar that passes through your shop represents "unlimited liability," and why you have the responsibility to own the terms and conditions of that transaction .

💵 The "Super Bill" Secret: The three things you must provide to ensure your customer gets fully reimbursed: A paid-in-full invoice, the latest OEM research, and evidence (photos) that the work was required and performed .

🚫 Stopping Insurance Lawsuits: Brian shares how shifting his legal strategy gave him better standing against insurers who try to flex their muscles, and why "recommended" procedures are actually "minimum standards" for liability .

🛑 Getting Paid in Full: How to stop accepting short pays and start using legal leverage to ensure the shop gets paid what it is owed without painting yourself into a corner .

Meet Our Guests

Sean Preston is the Managing Attorney at Coverall Law. He specializes in creating "Forever Forms" that keep collision centers protected, paid, and compliant. Brian Bernard is the owner of Total Care Accident Repair, a shop owner who has successfully implemented these legal strategies to protect his business and customers.

🔗 Connect with them:

Sean Preston - Coverall Law
📧 Email: spreston@coveralllaw.com
📞 Phone: (508) 635-5329
📅 Book a meeting with Sean: https://outlook.office.com/book/TalkwithaLawyer1@coveralllaw.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled
🌐 Website: https://www.coveralllaw.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-preston-ab81697a/

Brian Bernard - Total Care Accident Repair
🌐 Website: https://www.tcaccidentrepair.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bernard-56a0bb1/

👇 Listen to Body Bangin’

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

In this eye-opening episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Kevin Dunn (Founder/CEO) and Richie Seaberry (VP of Sales) from Decisely to discuss the "silent crisis" in collision repair… and the benefits strategy that is changing how we retain talent.

Decisely has partnered with SCRS to bring big-business benefits to independent shops. In this conversation, we break down why the "tough it out" mentality is destroying shop culture, why employees in 2026 are demanding support over just "more money", and how offering the right plan can literally save a life.

This episode is a wake-up call for every shop owner who thinks health insurance is just a line item expense, it is actually your first line of defense.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧠 The "Silent Crisis" in Collision Why our industry has such high rates of suicide and mental health struggles, and why ignoring it causes problems to compile rather than go away.

📉 The Shift: Paychecks vs. Support Richie explains the massive cultural shift: 15 years ago technicians just wanted more hours, but today they are looking for 401ks, PTO, and benefits that protect their families.

🚫 Breaking the Stigma Why employees are afraid to use their benefits (fear of cost or weakness) and how owners can "normalize" mental health days to keep their team safe and focused.

🏥 Mickey’s Personal Nightmare I share my recent terrifying experience with a "health share" plan that failed me during a medical emergency, and how getting on a real PPO plan through Decisely saved my life.


💰 The Real ROI of Care Kevin breaks down why healthy employees (physically and mentally) are safer, more alert, and more productive, turning insurance from a cost into a competitive advantage.

Meet Our Guests

Kevin Dunn is the CEO and Founder of Decisely, and Richie Seaberry serves as VP of Sales. Together, they work closely with SCRS to provide affordable, comprehensive benefits packages to the collision repair industry, helping small business owners compete with the consolidators.

🔗 Connect with them:

Kevin Dunn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinjdunn/

Richie Seaberry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardseaberry/

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

We’ve pulled together 4 of the most powerful, no-BS moments from past Body Bangin’ episodes, the kind of insights that shift how you think, lead, and grow.

Here’s what’s inside:

#97 — Stars vs. Hamsters (with Robert Snook) → Are you working on "Context" or just "Content"? Robert breaks down the difference between the "Stars" who grow and the "Hamsters" stuck on the revenue wheel. Plus, the "So What?" test: why meeting standard expectations gets you zero loyalty .

#96 — Be Extraordinary (with Mike Anderson) → "Nobody notices normal." Mike Anderson shares a game-changing story about a Lexus dealership that knew a customer’s Starbucks order before he walked in the door. The lesson? Know the person before you know the car .

#85 — Grow Your Own Technicians (with Ron Reichen & Barry Dorn) → Stop looking for "plug and play" staff. Ron and Barry explain why the best shops are growing their own talent, creating career paths beyond the bay, and the vital importance of "Internal Marketing" to keep the team you have .

#66 — What Are You Willing to Tolerate? (with Andrew Batenhorst) → Mediocrity spreads like a virus. Andrew delivers a mic-drop moment on leadership: If you let people show up late or do poor work, you are setting the standard that it's okay. You have to hold the line, even when it's hard .

Whether you’re a shop owner, estimator, or marketer, these moments cut through the noise.

🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now for more real talk on marketing and leadership that helps your shop grow.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

🎧 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BodyBangin

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

50-60% of the parts on an average collision claim are plastic. Yet, most of the industry is still operating in the "wild west" when it comes to repairing them.

In this eye-opening episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Mario Dimovski, a 35-year veteran of the industry and the Head of the Plastic Repair Alliance Council, to discuss the massive knowledge gap in plastic repair… and the global initiative that is about to change everything.

Mario has spent his entire career in plastics. He explains why the "chicken wire and hot glue" approach is failing shops, why OEMs are finally paying attention, and how a new set of global standards is being built to help shops repair safer, cheaper, and better.

This episode is a wake-up call for every shop owner who wants to stay ahead of the curve on the most common material in the bay.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🧪 The "Wild West" of Plastic Repair Why the industry currently lacks uniform standards, leading to "band-aid" solutions that fail, cost shops money, and frustrate customers.

📊 The 50% Reality Check With plastic making up over half of claim parts, Mario breaks down why shops can no longer afford to "wing it" on tools, materials, and processes.

🌍 Introducing Plasnomic: The Global Standard How a council of experts from around the world is uniting to test data, define best practices, and finally give shops a playbook for proper repair.

⚠️ Safety & Sustainability: The Hidden Costs From dangerous fumes to massive landfill waste, we discuss the environmental and health impacts of improper plastic management, and the new government pushes to fix it.

🛠 What Shops Need to Watch For in 2025 The timeline for when these new standards, tool recommendations, and material guides will hit the market (and how you can access them).

Meet Mario Dimovski

Mario is an industry veteran with over 35 years of experience specializing in plastic repair innovation. He is a global ambassador for IBIS Worldwide and leads the charge at Plasnomic to create the first unified global standard for automotive plastic repair.

🔗 Connect with Mario: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-dimovski/

👇 Listen to Body Bangin’

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

... This episode will challenge how you look at every bumper cover and headlight tab in your shop, and prepare you for the new standards coming down the pipe.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to attract great technicians, train them the right way, and build a shop culture that actually keeps them?

In this power-packed episode of Body Bangin’, I sat down with Jason Bartanen, industry educator, trainer, and founder of Collision ProAssist, to break down the real reasons shops struggle with talent… and what the best operators are doing differently.

Jason has trained thousands of technicians across the country. He’s seen what works, what fails, and why some shops keep losing people no matter how much they pay.

This episode is a roadmap for every shop owner who wants to build a team that’s skilled, confident, and loyal.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔧 Why the tech shortage isn’t about “no talent”. It’s about no development
Jason explains the mindset shift shops must make if they want to build a pipeline of skilled technicians.

📚 The training model top shops use to grow techs internally
And why relying only on “experienced hires” is a losing strategy long-term.

⚙️ The new competencies techs actually need with today’s vehicles
ADAS, calibrations, documentation, and why shops fail when training doesn’t match real workflow.

🧠 How leadership impacts technician retention more than pay
From communication gaps to unclear expectations, Jason outlines the hidden problems that push techs away.

📈 What shops must do now to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond
Practical steps to build structure, improve onboarding, and run stronger production.

Meet Jason Bartanen

Founder of Collision ProAssist, a platform helping shops train technicians, improve documentation, and streamline processes.

🌐 Website: https://www.collisionproassist.com/
🎟 30-Day Free Trial: https://whop.com/backbaytrial
💼 Full Service Access ($40/mo): https://whop.com/backbaypro
💸 Use code “GCIA” or “Micki” for 20% off your first 6 months

🔗 Connect with Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-b-bartanen-03519935/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bart22972
Collision ProAssist FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574989843394

👇 Watch the Body Bangin’ Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BodyBangin
...
This episode will challenge how you think about hiring, developing, and keeping great techs, and give you the playbook to start fixing it today.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that help shops grow for real.

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

This Best Of roundup pulls the most practical moments from four powerhouse conversations, so you can lead better, hire smarter, and finally charge what you’re worth.

What you’ll learn:

Succession & Family Alignment: How to set a clear vision, involve spouses, and plan for ownership transitions that actually work.

Sustaining Success: Five levers top shops use to stay profitable when volume and rates are volatile.

Magnetic Hiring & Retention: The culture signal (Meaning, Acknowledgement, Measurement, Teamwork, Vision) that attracts and keeps A-players.

Pricing & Mindset: Why “busy ≠ profitable,” how to know your real costs, and the mindset shift to get paid for the value you deliver.

Episode sources...

Ep #35 — Goal & Succession Planning for Your Shop (Matt Di Francesco)
Ep #46 — 5 Ways to Sustain Success in Your Shop (David Willett)
Ep #43 — How Shops Are Finding & Retaining Talent (Dave Luehr)
Ep #55 — Get Paid for What You Do & Change Your Mindset (Clay Hoberecht)

The shops that win aren’t just efficient—they’re intentional. They lead with clarity, build cultures people want to join, and price with confidence.

—
👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-bangin/id1558234037

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUWJ72fFpVARROeRcA

🔔 Subscribe for weekly, no-fluff collision business growth.

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

This week, we're doing something different. We’ve pulled together 4 of the most powerful, no-BS moments from past Body Bangin’ episodes, the kind of insights that shift how you think, lead, and grow.

Here’s what’s inside:

#45 — Changing the Way We Communicate is Key (with Kristen Felder)
→ Why relationship-based communication matters more than transactions. Kristen breaks down how knowing your customers as people, not just “the Camry,” transforms trust and service.

#58 — Use the Appraisal Clause to Get Paid (with Billy Walkowiak)
→ Shops often fight the wrong battles. Billy lays out the legal mechanics of first- vs third-party claims and why understanding what insurers actually owe is a game-changer.

#104 — The Keys to Success (with Louie Sharp)
→ Louie brings the 🔥. “Shop owners are too damn lazy.” No sugarcoating — just hard truths on excuses, leadership, and marketing mindset.

#47 — What are the Gaps in Your Leadership (with Bruce Schronce)
→ “Even Tom Brady has a coach.” Bruce introduces his Five Bridges model and explains why growth demands investing in yourself first.

Whether you’re a shop owner, estimator, or marketer, these moments cut through the noise.

🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now for more real talk on marketing and leadership that helps your shop grow.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/491aIUW...

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134

What does it really take to bring more cars through the door, win trust in your community, and future-proof your shop’s marketing?

In this special solo episode of Body Bangin’, I’m breaking down the 3 most common questions I get about marketing in the collision repair industry, straight, simple, and actionable.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

- Why SEO (and now AEO—Answer Engine Optimization) is the key to showing up on Google and AI search tools

- How to stop wasting dollars on scattershot community sponsorships and build presence that actually drives work

- The overlooked “marketing move” hiding right in front of your shop: curb appeal and customer confidence

I’ve been in your shoes as a shop owner, and now I work with shops every day to grow smarter and faster. This isn’t theory. These are real strategies you can start using today.

👉 Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your shop’s approach, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for marketing that works.

🔔 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe now for more real talk on marketing and leadership that helps your shop grow.

👇 RESOURCES & LINKS:

📧 Work with me: collisioncentermarketing.com

Support the show

For more info on Micki's Marketing Services to help you grow your shop's revenue click here: https://collisioncentermarketing.com
Email Micki directly at micki@mickiwoodsmarketing.com

Join the Body Bangin' Facebook Group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989546031854134