Keep the numbers straight - Loss adjusters target correct manufacture year, stolen car seminar

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

For 2013, two key issues are being given top priority by the Loss Adjusters Association of Jamaica (LAAJ). These are the need to determine the correct year of some vehicles coming from Singapore and Thailand and hosting a seminar to address stolen motor vehicles with altered chassis numbers.

Ongoing controversy over determining the correct year of manufacture, which has plagued local motor vehicle valuators for over 15 years, was settled by the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Import Policy on July 1, 2004.

This document, however, does not address vehicles out of south-east Asia and there is difficulty with decoding the correct model year.

According to David McKay, director of the LAAJ, "some of these vehicles we are unable to decode the correct year models for. We didn't have the data for every vehicle. We have it for some".

Valuators are able to determine the correct model year of vehicles through the use of the manufacturers' Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC). This EPC is also utilised by motor-vehicle dealers and parts suppliers to verify the correct model year of vehicles to ensure the supply of correct replacement parts.

McKay noted "all the EPC for all manufacturers can be difficult to obtain. We have a few and we're in the process of acquiring more".

McKay also said there is a need to plan another seminar related to issues surrounding stolen motor vehicles, as criminals are utilising new practices to alter chassis numbers.