Market Like an Insurer
Progressive’s Concierge program is the boldest action ever
taken by an insurer to mitigate the role a shop plays with the consumer. But what might the possibilities be if repairers employed some of these same strategies?
Going Head to Head
Collision repair consolidators seem focused on customer service as opposed to offering insurance companies even lower repair costs. They’re also concentrated on honing their operations to a razor sharp state of efficiency (which, incidentally, will lower repair costs).
Debunking the Myth of ‘Pre-Accident Condition’
You may have the best collision repair facility this side of the Mississippi, but you still shouldn’t use the term ‘pre-accident condition’ to describe your repairs. It just isn’t accurate.
The Great MQVP Parts Snafu
This repair took 39 days when it should’ve taken only five to seven. Why? I’m guessing because we’re not a “Blue Ribbon” shop.
Strategies for Preparing – and Presenting – Your Estimate
The insurance industry’s reluctance to pay what I consider to be fair and proper damage appraisals concerns me greatly. It also concerns me greatly that many shops aren’t doing anything about it.
Shop Profile: Working Smart
Shop Name: Quality Collision Repair Inc. Location: Rockledge, Fla. Established: 1983 Square Footage: 6,642 Owners: Everette and Sandy Sharpe No. of Employees: 10 Repair Volume/No. of Cars Per Month: 60 cars per month Average Repair Cost: $1400 Shop Layout Working on his business – rather than in his business – has allowed this shop owner
If It’s Broke, Fix It: Allstate, Sterling, and Your Shop
“We finally parted ways,” says a Louisiana shop owner who – during the past few months – has voiced his concerns to me about Allstate acquiring Sterling and his own business’s shaky relationship as an Allstate PRO shop. “But we’re still repairing cars with Allstate drive-in estimates – and making more money because they’re at a higher labor rate. Go figure!”
Blind Claims Auditors: A Deal’s a Deal?
In one of my favorite films, Fargo, the general sales manager of a new car dealership is on the phone with the slime balls he conspired with to kidnap his own wife. Upon learning the circumstances had changed and the villains wanted more of the ransom, the sales manager/husband played by William Macy exclaims: "Hey,
Parts, Policies and Patsies
Shop manager Bradley Wooten asks why American Family Insurance is getting by using strictly used or A/M parts.
Truce: Working with Insurance Adjusters
If you ever need to energize a bunch of bored shop owners, bring up working with insurance adjusters. This topic can incite a lively discussion among even a reserved group of repairers. That’s because everyone has a war story or two about an adjuster experience and they’re usually eager to share it. One of my