archiveBusiness Practices

Data from 46 appraisal clause process outcomes shared with a Texas public adjuster a week ago found insurers’ offers would have left customers short of the total amount needed to fix their vehicles by typically $5,312.46. Had the consumers not went through appraisal process, the insurers could have incorrectly underpaid...

In a large number of discussions with shop owners over the past 4 months, there is a marked divergence among MSOs about their plans for the future. Lots who have a strong rebound in revenues, have strong balance sheets and managed their expenses throughout the pandemic have embarked on more...

CCC CEO Githesh Ramamurthy a week ago said the company likely to see adoption of its artificial intelligence tools “become even more widespread” following the launch of CCC Estimate-STP. Ramamurthy told a first-quarter earnings call that CCC has offered artificial intelligence for a long time “and therefore are seeing rapid...

Tractable announced Wednesday that No. 2 U.S. auto insurer GEICO would use Tractable’s AI Review photo estimating product to “within seconds” verify the caliber of existing sheets. "GEICO customers know us for our speed and services information and value,” GEICO CEO Todd Combs said in a statement Wednesday. “Tractable's artificial...

The Uk collision repair trade group National Body Repair Association on Tuesday announced it might meet with the Office of Small Business regarding shop-insurer contracts. The impartial U.K. agency is definitely an interesting resource. It’s helmed with a small business commissioner whose job involves taking complaints from companies with fewer...

State Farm has made good on plans to flag certified auto body shops on its Select Service network locator. It’s unclear which OEMs are reflected in State Farm’s records and which haven't yet been added. For now, the locator is just sortable by distance or featured facilities; you can’t filter...

Allstate announced Tuesday it might buy nonstandard auto insurer SafeAuto for $270 million in cash contributing to $30 million price of “pre-close dividends of certain non-insurance assets.” SafeAuto does business in 28 states and concentrates on affordable state minimum car insurance. Allstate intends to fold it into National General, which...

Insurance services company Sedgwick on Tuesday announced it had bought the auto damage appraisal companies Metro Appraisal and Automotive Damage Appraisers of the Southwest. Automotive Damage Appraisers from the Southwest does business in Colorado, Boise state broncos and Texas. It goes back to 1952 and it has the majority of...

CCC come july 1st will begin rolling the ability for auto body shops to have an AI write a partial estimate based upon vehicle photos, the information provider announced this week. This CCC One Estimating – IQ artificial intelligence photo estimating capability will start in August with images insurers provide...

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists this season launched a new weekly video series featuring quick-hit tips for body shops. Repairers can sign up for the SCRSCollision YouTube webpage to see the free industry video series, that has been featuring Collision Advice CEO Mike Anderson and Database Enhancement Gateway Administrator...