Collision Safety Consultants Of West Virginia
About Us
ABOUT US
Steven Krieps
Founder, of CSC of WV
I grew up working on cars, a story all too familiar with any “car guy”. In high school I studied computer science, and networking, and went on to continue that area of study in college at West Virginia State.
I still found myself tinkering on cars till the late hours of the morning, I enjoyed the puzzle. I decided to attend an automotive technical college, WyoTech. Upon graduation with a diploma in Collision Repair, and Refinishing, I moved to Columbus, OH where I worked for a multiple shop organization. I started out as an apprentice and worked my way to A Tech in three years. While there I also got the opportunity to shadow one of the executives, and attend a few management/leadership conferences. Upon the birth of our first child my wife and I decided to move back to my home town of Scott Depot, Wv. I began working at a local independent collision repair center. Over the years I have seen and learned so much about the intricacies, and short falls plaguing the collision repair industry, some of which is very concerning. I decided to do my best, to do something about it. I have spent years studying WV law as well as insurance regulations. It has been eye opening to see what’s really going on and how much the average consumer may be missing, or mislead. Consumers deserve more protections, and over watch to ensure their safety following a collision.
The Idea,
The idea of Collision Safety Consultants of West Virginia came from an idea of how can I educate, advise, and help consumers navigate the collision repair process. The answer came to me in Post repair inspections, and reaching out to Billy Walkowiak of Collision Safety Consultants in Belmont, NC. Billy helped me began my journey of helping consumers expose improper repairs, and unfair insurance conduct. There can be a lot of pressure placed on repairers to do things that may or may not be correct or safe. They are done from a position of time and profit, and when I say it’s not usually profit for the collision repair center. Too often managers and technicians in collision repair make technical judgement calls to repair or replace something without truly knowing the impact that could have on a future collision, and as a repair technician that is not our job. As repairers our job is to restore a crash damaged vehicle to “pre accident” condition using the approved procedures, and parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM. They designed, tested, and built their vehicles, and did their due-diligence to make sure ther repair procedures they provide will afford the consumer the proper level of safety in a subsequent collision. Deviating from OEM procedures may make things stronger or weaker and could have serious consequences. The Manufactures have procedures and guidelines that are to be followed as they are not suggestions. Yes years of experience will teach us things, however those year fall away in the event someone is hurt in a vehicle a technician repaired. Too much is at stake when repairing a family’s vehicle.
Why Me?
For me the only way to know if I’m on track is training. I am a current I-CAR Platinum Structural Technician. I hold I-CAR Steel GMAW Welding Certification along with Steel Sectioning Certification. I am a proud Board Member with the Washington Metropolitan Auto body Association, Member Society of Collision Repair Specialists. I am a member of The International Automotive Appraisers Association (IAAA), an inspector for the Assured Performance Network, which is a nationwide organization that provides OEM (Manufactures) certifications to repair facilities, and Licensed Public Adjuster with the State of West Virginia. I follow the automotive repair industry closely and stay involved to make sure I am up to date as much as possible.
Founder, of CSC of WV
I grew up working on cars, a story all too familiar with any “car guy”. In high school I studied computer science, and networking, and went on to continue that area of study in college at West Virginia State.
I still found myself tinkering on cars till the late hours of the morning, I enjoyed the puzzle. I decided to attend an automotive technical college, WyoTech. Upon graduation with a diploma in Collision Repair, and Refinishing, I moved to Columbus, OH where I worked for a multiple shop organization. I started out as an apprentice and worked my way to A Tech in three years. While there I also got the opportunity to shadow one of the executives, and attend a few management/leadership conferences. Upon the birth of our first child my wife and I decided to move back to my home town of Scott Depot, Wv. I began working at a local independent collision repair center. Over the years I have seen and learned so much about the intricacies, and short falls plaguing the collision repair industry, some of which is very concerning. I decided to do my best, to do something about it. I have spent years studying WV law as well as insurance regulations. It has been eye opening to see what’s really going on and how much the average consumer may be missing, or mislead. Consumers deserve more protections, and over watch to ensure their safety following a collision.
The Idea,
The idea of Collision Safety Consultants of West Virginia came from an idea of how can I educate, advise, and help consumers navigate the collision repair process. The answer came to me in Post repair inspections, and reaching out to Billy Walkowiak of Collision Safety Consultants in Belmont, NC. Billy helped me began my journey of helping consumers expose improper repairs, and unfair insurance conduct. There can be a lot of pressure placed on repairers to do things that may or may not be correct or safe. They are done from a position of time and profit, and when I say it’s not usually profit for the collision repair center. Too often managers and technicians in collision repair make technical judgement calls to repair or replace something without truly knowing the impact that could have on a future collision, and as a repair technician that is not our job. As repairers our job is to restore a crash damaged vehicle to “pre accident” condition using the approved procedures, and parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM. They designed, tested, and built their vehicles, and did their due-diligence to make sure ther repair procedures they provide will afford the consumer the proper level of safety in a subsequent collision. Deviating from OEM procedures may make things stronger or weaker and could have serious consequences. The Manufactures have procedures and guidelines that are to be followed as they are not suggestions. Yes years of experience will teach us things, however those year fall away in the event someone is hurt in a vehicle a technician repaired. Too much is at stake when repairing a family’s vehicle.
Why Me?
For me the only way to know if I’m on track is training. I am a current I-CAR Platinum Structural Technician. I hold I-CAR Steel GMAW Welding Certification along with Steel Sectioning Certification. I am a proud Board Member with the Washington Metropolitan Auto body Association, Member Society of Collision Repair Specialists. I am a member of The International Automotive Appraisers Association (IAAA), an inspector for the Assured Performance Network, which is a nationwide organization that provides OEM (Manufactures) certifications to repair facilities, and Licensed Public Adjuster with the State of West Virginia. I follow the automotive repair industry closely and stay involved to make sure I am up to date as much as possible.
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