Bracebridge, Ontario -- March 10, 2011 -- According to a story on Cottage Country Now, a coalition of collision repair facilities in the Muskokas region of Ontario are reaching out to the provincial and federal governments to help in their fight what they allege are unfair practices on the part of insurance companies.

Truswell Collision Services, Bracebridge Collision, All Star Auto, John’s Collision Shop and Turner Auto Body in Bracebridge, T & M Autobody and Midway Autobody in Gravenhurst, and Muskoka Collision in Huntsville recently placed a half-page ad in local newspapers to alert consumers to their rights under the Insurance Act. In particular, the ad focused on the consumer's right to choose a collision repair facility.

Representatives from the group recently met with Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller at his constituency office in Bracebridge, and with MP Tony Clement at his office in Huntsville to find out how the government may be able to help with their issues.

According to the story on Cotage Country Now, the coalition of repair shops alleges insurance companies, as a group, are moving toward the use of one large, impersonal direct repair facility for all collision claims, bypassing community retailers and service shops in the process.

After meeting with the concerned auto repair shops, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller said he is sympathetic to their issues and asked them to put their concerns in writing so he can direct them to the relevant authorities, including the Financial Service Commission of Ontario, the minister of finance and the minister of consumer services.