Chief Collision Technology has introduced the industry’s first mobile 3D hail damage scanning system.
The Constellation, a complete workflow system, tracks hail-damaged vehicles throughout the entire process from first notice of loss through the claims process and finally to vehicle repair. The system is now available for the 2021 hail season and gives insurance providers, collision shops and fleet managers a complete hail management repair solution.
After a major hail event, an insurance provider or dealership would contact Chief to request the Constellation system to its catastrophe event (CAT) site. The mobile system is deployed and can be set up quickly at any location within 24 to 48 hours and can accommodate everything from small passenger vehicles and SUVs to pickup trucks.
The automated and touchless system uses 3D technology to quickly scan the vehicle and identify, count and calculate the size of each hail dent. Then, the system produces a record that can be used for estimating the cost to repair the vehicle.
“When we looked at the way the industry still manually handles hail damage, we saw an opportunity to develop a solution that is not only faster but far more accurate,” said Bob Finkle, brand manager with Vehicle Service Group (VSG). “Today, when an adjuster comes out to a CAT site, he/she tallies hail dents manually, often relying on ‘bucket’ estimating or reviewing half of the car’s hood for dents and then multiplying those findings by two. That leaves a lot of room for error.”
Since estimates are based on what the adjuster can see, oftentimes when the vehicle gets into a shop and under lights, technicians will find dents that were missed, requiring supplement estimates and additional work to be done.
With Constellation’s innovative technology, the system eliminates the need for an adjuster to manually review the damage. Within a matter of minutes, it delivers an exact count of hail dents with an accuracy rate of 90% or greater with no additional supplements needed.
Along with improved accuracy, the Constellation also saves significant time and money. Gone are the days when multiple adjusters were required on-site for weeks assessing damages and generating expenses. With the Constellation, estimating production is increased dramatically.
As part of the full-service solution, interested customers can also use Constellation’s supplement-free paintless dent repair (PDR) offering through its certified PDR network.
“With the complete hail claim management solution and certified PDR repair network, we are transforming how the industry manages the hail damage and repair process,” said Finkle. “We not only can help lower costs dramatically but also improve cycle time and the customer experience. The Chief PDR network also offers insurers a manual, supplement-free estimating service and hail site management option. As a third-party administrator, Chief can monitor hail sites and lower insurers expenses.”
Constellation’s services are offered as a pay-per-scan, or if the customer uses the complete hail management system and its network for PDR repairs, then there is no cost for the scans.
Constellation is now available. To request more information or learn more about Chief Collison Technology’s full line of products and services, click here.
