Claims and Settlement Info

Auto Shops Rewarded for Failing to Keep Up With Times
By David A Williams, Auto Collision Repair Specialist and DV Expert
Oct 3, 2006 - 3:19:00 PM

It has long been the complaint of high quality body shops that insurers fail to recognize varying levels of equipment and competency between vendors in particular markets when writing claims checks. In short, insurers often use a one-size-fits-all approach, paying good shops and slothful shops equally.

Thus, a highly regarded body shop outfitted with the latest and greatest frame and measuring equipment is typically paid the same hourly rate as a slothful shop that stretches frames between two oak trees using an antiquated come-along. This disparity in payments makes it difficult for conscientious shops to get returns on investments made in facilities, equipment and training, and rewards slothful shops for failing to keep up with the times.

Charles Cumpston, Editor of AGRR Magazine (Auto Glass Repair and Replacement) says glass shops are also feeling pressures from insurers to produce high quality repairs for the lowest possible dollar. In AGRR's September / October 2006 issue, page 6, Cumpston writes the following in his article titled, Safety Sells:

“…it has been a complete dud getting the insurance companies to recognize the correlation between respectable businesses that take the time and effort to make responsible, safe replacements and a shop that does the job in the quickest, cheapest manner possible, without regard for the safety aspects of the job. It’s as if safety counts for nothing as soon as people have to pay for it – it’s as if everyone is delivering the same quality product at the same price.”

Cumpston continued with an observation and a question:

“The phenomenon of low price / high quality doesn’t happen in any other market segment. Why would anyone expect it to happen with auto glass replacement?”

Cumpston places a portion of the blame on shops – the majority of whom haven’t, on a widespread basis, made the public aware of safety factors involved in windshield replacement. This failure seems particularly ironic in a model year where accident avoidance and occupant protection is considered by many to be among the hottest trends in vehicle marketing.

“But if consumers are to continue to get good, safe auto glass installations, then at some point the insurance companies are going to have to realize they have to pay for them,” writes Cumpston. “It’s trite but it’s true: You get what you pay for. And safety sells.”

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About Safe Collision Repairs

For more than ten years, David Williams of Wheelersburg, Ohio's Safe Collision Repairs has worked with consumers and attorneys in the tri-states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia to expose unsafe auto repairs and maximize recovery on auto insurance claims. Some of the company's services include Post-Repair Inspections, Prepurchase Inspections, Auto Damage Assessments, Lemon Law Investigations, Expert Court Testimony and Diminished Value Calculations using an advanced version of Network Information Communication's WreckCheck program.

Inquiries can be directed to: Safe Collision Repairs David A. Williams Post Office Box 70 Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694 (740) 456-1111 (740) 355-4056

Disclaimer

The content expressed on this website and in the article above represents the opinions of David A. Williams. Williams is neither an attorney nor public insurance adjuster, but is an expert, consultant, and writer specializing in the field of automotive collision repair and valuations. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Because collision repair is a continually evolving science, any text, materials or links found herein are provided without claim or guarantee to their accuracy or completeness.