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Subaru Scanning Strat

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body
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Ford Pre- and Post-Diagnostic Scanning Protocol

Ford Motor Company vehicles contain many state-of-the art features that provide occupant safety and enhance the driving experience. During collision repairs, it is critical the proper function of these systems and features be restored back to pre-accident condition and performance.

All 2010 and newer vehicles must be scanned

Ford defines a collision as damage that exceeds minor outer body panel cosmetic distortion. All Ford Motor Company vehicles from and including model year 2010 forward involved in a collision require a pre-repair diagnostic scan during the estimation phase of a collision repair to properly identify all required repairs. During the repair process, certain modules and other system components may require calibration or initialization to properly complete the repair. Additionally, the vehicle must have a post-repair diagnostic scan completed after the vehicle has been repaired to verify that new faults have not been introduced in the course of the repair and to verify that the vehicle has been fully repaired.

Must adhere to the following steps

The following points show why a diagnostic scan is crucial to the proper repair of the vehicle:

1. Preliminary diagnostic scans provide a baseline to the condition of the systems on the vehicle, and what concerns may need to be addressed during the vehicle repair plan development.

2. Not every malfunction will illuminate a malfunction warning light (MIL) or message center warning.

3.A system may require a certain number of drive or function cycles in order to set a warning light or manifest a concern.

4. Low battery voltage may allow for numerous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to set.

It is important to utilize Ford repair procedures for all collision repairs to ensure quality results. Ford also recommends the use of the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to perform all vehicle diagnostic testing, module programing, and system calibrations during collision repairs. Ford dealer-owned body shops can access service information, training and diagnostic scan tool support through the Professional Technician Society at www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com and independent collision repairers can find information at www.motorcraftservice.com.

Why this matters to Ford owners

Ford Motor Company vehicles are designed and built to provide optimum fit, function, safety and structural integrity. For this reason, Ford Motor Company
does not approve the use of aftermarket, recycled, salvaged, or reconditioned parts. The quality, performance and safety of these parts cannot be verified and may result in substandard repairs, which can inhibit proper vehicle function and cause erroneous DTCs. Only by using Ford original equipment collision parts can you be assured of the part’s fit, finish, quality and safety.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Ford Scanning Strat

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body
Image of Ford

Ford Pre- and Post-Diagnostic Scanning Protocol

Ford Motor Company vehicles contain many state-of-the art features that provide occupant safety and enhance the driving experience. During collision repairs, it is critical the proper function of these systems and features be restored back to pre-accident condition and performance.

All 2010 and newer vehicles must be scanned

Ford defines a collision as damage that exceeds minor outer body panel cosmetic distortion. All Ford Motor Company vehicles from and including model year 2010 forward involved in a collision require a pre-repair diagnostic scan during the estimation phase of a collision repair to properly identify all required repairs. During the repair process, certain modules and other system components may require calibration or initialization to properly complete the repair. Additionally, the vehicle must have a post-repair diagnostic scan completed after the vehicle has been repaired to verify that new faults have not been introduced in the course of the repair and to verify that the vehicle has been fully repaired.

Must adhere to the following steps

The following points show why a diagnostic scan is crucial to the proper repair of the vehicle:

1. Preliminary diagnostic scans provide a baseline to the condition of the systems on the vehicle, and what concerns may need to be addressed during the vehicle repair plan development.

2. Not every malfunction will illuminate a malfunction warning light (MIL) or message center warning.

3.A system may require a certain number of drive or function cycles in order to set a warning light or manifest a concern.

4. Low battery voltage may allow for numerous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to set.

It is important to utilize Ford repair procedures for all collision repairs to ensure quality results. Ford also recommends the use of the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to perform all vehicle diagnostic testing, module programing, and system calibrations during collision repairs. Ford dealer-owned body shops can access service information, training and diagnostic scan tool support through the Professional Technician Society at www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com and independent collision repairers can find information at www.motorcraftservice.com.

Why this matters to Ford owners

Ford Motor Company vehicles are designed and built to provide optimum fit, function, safety and structural integrity. For this reason, Ford Motor Company
does not approve the use of aftermarket, recycled, salvaged, or reconditioned parts. The quality, performance and safety of these parts cannot be verified and may result in substandard repairs, which can inhibit proper vehicle function and cause erroneous DTCs. Only by using Ford original equipment collision parts can you be assured of the part’s fit, finish, quality and safety.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Hyundai Clear Coat Blending

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body
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Clear Coat Blending is not Recommended by Hyundai Motor America

Clear Coat blending is a procedure sometimes used on spot repairs performed within the borders of a body panel. After base coats are applied to the spot repair, a clear coat is applied only to the spot repair area. This is followed by spraying blending solvent onto the perimeter of the spot repair to “melt/solvent blend” the freshly sprayed clear coat with the existing clear coat that surrounds the spot repair.

Needs a whole new coat

Current automotive clear coats paints are irreversibly cured and therefore, the clear coat surrounding a spot repair cannot be “melted / blended” together with a newly applied clear coat. Using a clear coat blending procedure may initially produce a finish that looks acceptable, but over a relatively short period of exposure to sunlight, weather, or polishing can produce hazing, fading, peeling, delamination and a noticeable blend edge, all of which lead to poor customer satisfaction.

Blending can void your warranty

Moreover, the use of clear coat blending procedure may void paint manufacturer’s warranties and put the refinisher at risk for non-compliance with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission regulations. Hyundai Motor America does not recommend clear coat “blending” as an acceptable repair procedure.

Why This Matters to You

To keep your warranty in effect, you need to follow Hyundai’s requirements for using the right parts and reconditioning processes. Only companies that have the right training and skills to do this work will be endorsed by Hyundai Motor America.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Honda Recycled Parts

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body
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Use Only Honda-Supplied Parts on Every Repair

American Honda recognizes the importance of recycling, however the use of salvage/recycled parts to repair collision-damaged vehicles raises serious concerns about quality, suitability, safety and warranty. Many factors can influence the quality and/or suitability of salvage/recycled parts including but not limited to, unknown prior damage to the donor vehicle, exposure to weather, improper removal or transfer of parts, possible mis-match of vehicle electrical components or other safety-related items as well as excessive wear on vital mechanical parts such as steering or suspension parts.

Can’t Regulate Quality

In cases where the donor vehicle was repaired due to a prior collision, salvaged/recycled parts may not be an original or Honda Genuine replacement part. At this time, there is no generally accepted process or system in place to regulate the quality or suitability of salvaged/recycled parts. In cases where welded body parts are involved, such as outer panels or structural components, the following important considerations also apply: Body repair manual (BRM) replacement procedures are written for new Hondasupplied parts. American Honda does not publish repair procedures for the installation of salvaged/recycled parts.

Safety Can Be Compromised

Preparation of the salvaged/recycled parts can negatively affect installation, which may have an adverse effect upon crash energy management and occupant safety in any subsequent collision. For example, if the factory spot welds are drilled out of a rear outer (quarter) panel leaving holes in the flanges, there may not be enough flange material remaining to attach the salvaged/recycled part with the BRM-specified spot welds. This would require substitution of MAG plug welding to attach the panel. Substitution of BRMspecified welding methods is never approved by American Honda. Additionally, in cases where outer panels attach to certain ultra-high-strengthsteel (UHSS) structural parts, weld method substitution may weaken the UHSS parts. American Honda believes the interests of vehicle owners and collision repairers are best served when Honda Genuine replacement parts are used in the repair of Honda and Acura vehicles.

Why This Matters to You

To keep your warranty in effect, you need to follow Honda’s requirements for using the right parts and reconditioning processes. Only companies that have the right training and skills to do this work will be endorsed by Honda. Use Only Honda-Supplied Parts on Every Repair American Honda recognizes the importance of recycling, however the use of salvage/recycled parts to repair collision-damaged vehicles raises serious concerns about quality, suitability, safety and warranty. Many factors can influence the quality and/or suitability of salvage/recycled parts including but not limited to, unknown prior damage to the donor vehicle, exposure to weather, improper removal or transfer of parts, possible mis-match of vehicle electrical components or other safety-related items as well as excessive wear on vital mechanical parts such as steering or suspension parts.

Can’t Regulate Quality

In cases where the donor vehicle was repaired due to a prior collision, salvaged/recycled parts may not be an original or Honda Genuine replacement part. At this time, there is no generally accepted process or system in place to regulate the quality or suitability of salvaged/recycled parts. In cases where welded body parts are involved, such as outer panels or structural components, the following important considerations also apply: Body repair manual (BRM) replacement procedures are written for new Hondasupplied parts. American Honda does not publish repair procedures for the installation of salvaged/recycled parts.

Safety Can Be Compromised

Preparation of the salvaged/recycled parts can negatively affect installation, which may have an adverse effect upon crash energy management and occupant safety in any subsequent collision. For example, if the factory spot welds are drilled out of a rear outer (quarter) panel leaving holes in the flanges, there may not be enough flange material remaining to attach the salvaged/recycled part with the BRM-specified spot welds. This would require substitution of MAG plug welding to attach the panel. Substitution of BRMspecified welding methods is never approved by American Honda. Additionally, in cases where outer panels attach to certain ultra-high-strengthsteel (UHSS) structural parts, weld method substitution may weaken the UHSS parts. American Honda believes the interests of vehicle owners and collision repairers are best served when Honda Genuine replacement parts are used in the repair of Honda and Acura vehicles.

Why This Matters to You
To keep your warranty in effect, you need to follow Honda’s requirements for using the right parts and reconditioning processes. Only companies that have  the right training and skills to do this work will be endorsed by Honda.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

OE-Recommended Steel and Aluminum Wheel Repair Standards on All Nissan Vehicles

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body

OE-Recommended Steel and Aluminum Wheel Repair Standards on All Nissan Vehicles

Nissan North America does not approve of any repairs made to any of its wheels, which includes the use of any repaired steel or aluminum wheel that involves welding, bending, hammering, straightening, re-machining, reforming, or adding new material, as this can compromise the structural integrity of the wheel and safety of the vehicle. This information was outlined in a repair bulletin published by the carmaker.

Reconditioned Wheels Limited to Minor Cosmetic Repairs

Nissan stated, “Any repair of steel or aluminum wheels must be strictly limited to minor cosmetic sanding or polishing that removes only the finish, not the metal. Reconditioned wheels are not an acceptable method of repair on any Nissan vehicle, as these wheels were once subjected to the prohibited repairs referenced above.”

A reconditioned wheel, or any wheel not approved by Nissan, may cause unsafe vehicle operation and performance, including loss of control which may result in injuries to the vehicle occupants or other drivers. Following a collision situation, all four wheels should be thoroughly inspected for damage, especially the wheel(s) closest to the impact area of vehicle.

Parts Warranties Only Apply on Genuine Nissan OE Replacement Parts

Nissan North America’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and Limited Warranty on replacement parts do not apply to any parts other than Genuine Nissan original equipment parts. Nissan North America will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with a vehicle and/or part failure caused by the use of parts other than Genuine Nissan replacement parts.

“Nissan North America’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and Limited Warranty on replacement parts do not apply to any parts other than Genuine Nissan original equipment parts. Nissan North America will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with a vehicle and/or part failure caused by the use of parts other than Genuine Nissan replacement parts.

Nissan Does Not Endorse Anything Except OE Parts

The use of aftermarket, used, or salvaged parts puts you almost at the same risk of problems as reconditioning the wheels would. Used and salvaged parts come with a questionable history, as it’s possible they’ve been compromised in a collision or through natural wear and tear.

Aftermarket parts present another problem in that they are often not comprised of the highest quality materials and they are also not designed to fit the parameters of your specific make, model, and year of Nissan.  Therefore, Nissan will have to void your warranty if you choose to use anything other than OEM parts.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Why You Should Always Insist for OE Collision Replacement Parts

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body

Why You Should Always Insist for OE Collision Replacement Parts

Some carmakers suggest it while others insist on it, but in almost every case, vehicle manufacturers want OEM collision repair parts in each repair. The OEM Collision Repair Roundtable is a collision repair industry association composed of representatives from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vehicle manufacturers. It asks that you carefully consider the use of Original Equipment (OE) collision replacement parts for collision repair.

The Advantages for Choosing OE Collision Replacement Parts

Whatever type of car you drive, you want the best parts you can find and there is no doubt that OE parts fit that description. In many cases, the car owner may have to insist on using them while insurance companies suggest the use of aftermarket/recycled parts. But for safety, quality, and durability, no one will argue that OE is always better for a wide range of reasons. The following information was gleaned by a report written by OEM Collision Repair Roundtable.

Fit: Before assembly, it can be hard to tell the difference between OE and non-OE collision parts. However, upon installation there may be a noticeable difference in the way they fit. Non-OE collision parts may leave unsightly gaps between body panels, a sure sign of a collision repair that may detract from your car’s value.

Conversely, a gap that is too small may allow body panels to rub together under certain conditions, possibly compromising paint adhesion and promoting unsightly and damaging rust spots. OE collision parts from your vehicle’s manufacturer are designed to fit properly, providing consistent and uniform space between body panels.

Finish: In general, “finish” refers to what the paint job looks like. OE collision replacement parts are treated with a special primer process, which helps resist corrosion and promote paint adhesion.

Design: OE collision parts, both those that came on the car originally, and replacement parts, are designed with safety in mind. Many parts, including hoods and fenders, are designed with crush zones, allowing the part to bend and crumple like an accordion, thereby absorbing the energy of an impact, rather than transmitting it to the cabin—and the occupants.

Quality: The same quality that went into building your car goes into OE collision replacement parts, from the way the part was designed to the material used to make it.

Safety: Nobody wants to think about being in one accident—let alone two. OE collision parts—in accordance with vehicle manufacturer repair processes—are the only parts proven during vehicle development to deliver the intended level of protection as a whole system.

Structural Integrity: All body components contribute to the structural integrity of the vehicle. Even items like windshields, side glass and doors can help a vehicle to maintain its structural integrity in a collision or roll-over situation. Original Equipment collision replacement parts are proven during the vehicle development process to deliver the intended level of protection as a whole system.

One way to know for sure you are getting this level of protection is to use OE collision replacement parts that are installed following the manufacturer’s recommended procedures. Using them also ensures your new-vehicle warranty remains intact, in the event of damage caused by a part failure.

Resale Value: Use of OE collision replacement parts will help keep your car looking new while you own it and help maintain its value at time of trade-in or re-sale. Parts that fit well, sell well.

One Valuable Takeaway

Take an active role in the repair of your vehicle. Insist on Original Equipment collision replacement parts for safety, durability, appearance and performance.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Volvo Does Not Endorse the Use of Approve Anything but Genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts

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Volvo Does Not Endorse the Use of Approve Anything but Genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts

Always make certain that your collision repairer does not use anything other than Genuine Volvo Car replacement parts on your Volvo.

Aftermarket Parts Don’t Make the Grade

Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of aftermarket replacement parts. All the parts in a Volvo vehicle are responsible for specific functions. Genuine Volvo parts have been optimized for safety, structural integrity and fit. Aftermarket parts are not subjected to the same testing and requirements and may not be manufactured to the same standards. Thus, using aftermarket parts may compromise the vehicle’s performance and safety, placing passengers at risk.

Aftermarket parts (like bumpers, shocks, reinforcements, headlights, supports, fenders, hoods, suspension and unibody components) may interfere with the functionality of vehicle crumple zones, Supplemental Restraint Systems and drivetrain. It is also undetermined whether or not the aftermarket parts being installed meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Use of aftermarket parts can affect vehicle warranty, if the parts cause failures to other systems directly or indirectly.

Reconditioned Parts Can Compromise Your Volvo’s Performance & Safety

Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of reconditioned replacement parts. All the parts in a Volvo vehicle are responsible for specific functions. Genuine Volvo parts have been optimized for safety, structural integrity and fit. Reconditioned parts are not subjected to the same testing and requirements and may not be reconditioned/remanufactured to the same standards. Thus, aftermarket parts may compromise the vehicle’s performance and safety, placing passengers at risk. Reconditioned Parts are also not traceable should a recall occur in the future.

It is not possible to visibly determine the extent of damage to a part prior to reconditioning. Volvo Cars has specific repair methods and allowances to ensure that parts which directly affect safety and performance will perform in the same manner as they would at the time of manufacturing and assembly. Not abiding by the repair guidelines can compromise systems.

Like Kind Quality/Salvaged/Recycled Components Utilization is Prohibited by

Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of LKQ/salvaged or recycled replacement parts because there is no way to determine if parts have been previously damaged, heated, burned, or involved in a previous collision or flood loss. It cannot be determined if these parts are OEM, aftermarket or reconditioned until the part is received. LKQ, salvaged or recycled parts are often indirectly involved in a collision, flood or fire. They may have been exposed to harsh weather, extreme temperatures and may have excessive wear. These parts cannot be tested to meet Volvo Car requirements as there are no standards in place to test these components. LKQ/salvage/recycled Parts are not traceable should a recall occur.

Only Use Adhesives Specified by VIDA

The use of non-Volvo Car approved adhesives can compromise vehicle safety. Volvo Car adhesives are specific to each vehicle and location of the repair. Volvo Car USA only allows the use of adhesives that are specified in VIDA.

Volvo Can Only Guarantee OE Hardware

Volvo requires that hardware (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts, rivets) that has been damaged, worn or deformed as a result of a collision must be replaced with Genuine Volvo Car replacement parts to help ensure safety. Use of aftermarket, damaged, or deformed hardware in a repair cannot be guaranteed and therefore should never be used. All collision repair guides have been designed around the use of genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts.

What This Means to You

Volvo Car cannot ensure a safe repair utilizing anything other than Genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts. Third party or non-Volvo components may lead to system or component errors which can have an adverse effect on certain safety or collision avoidance systems. Be safe, keep your warranty safe and retain the integrity of your Volvo by using only Genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

GM Is Specific ADAS Calibrations On Their Vehicles, Here’s How That Affects You

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body

As the owner of a GM car about to get collision repair, you need to know that GM is very specific about their repair procedures. It is vital because not every auto body shop in this area follows the OEM procedures. Believe it or not, the body shop has a choice in how they fix cars. They can guess and just cut out the damage and weld in new parts (which is cutting a lot of corners), or they can take time, research the procedure, and fix the car the way the factory wants it. Which method do you think yields the safest and must undetectable, longest-lasting repair?

How This Affects You

 

What is even more concerning is the fact that when you guess how to fix a car, you have about a 100% chance of doing it wrong. This is because your vehicle is built from over 15 different high strength metals, and each type of steel has rules for how it can be heated, cut, hammered, or even if it can be welded or hammer and dollied at all. Bodymen are craftsmen, no doubt, but they are not engineers, so any time a body man guesses how to make a repair, they are putting your safety at risk. Maybe you will never get into another accident in this car, but do you want to take that chance?

Your GM vehicle is built with highly “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems’ Or ADAS for short. This includes the cameras and proximity sensors that operate everything from the backup camera, the parking assist, the steering, the brakes, the blind-spot monitors, and more. In fact, depending on how your vehicle is equipped, most new fully equipped cars could drive themselves with just a software upgrade. The technology is already built into your vehicle. Every mile you drive, your GM vehicle writes more code than a Boeing 747. We’re talking thousands of lines of code every minute. And if anything is off in those sensors as a result of the accident you just had or modifications you made to your car, the systems may not be functioning properly. And you won’t even know it in most cases because ADAS system malfunctions do not set warning lights like your engine does.

Body shops have to pay for access to the GM OEM repair procedures, and it is an expense that not all shops make. GM realizes this, and so they recently put out a free Advanced Driver Assistance Systems overview guide. This is not meant to be a substitute for the actual OEM procedures, the “Driver Assistance Systems” document will be a valuable means for shops, insurers, and consumers to learn the broad strokes.

The guide lists the official name, abbreviation, and “regular production option” code of each ADAS feature and explains what it does and what systems it relies on. It also describes when calibration will be required and the cause of calibration issues for certain parts.

How This Affects Your Auto Body Repair

 

Calibrations are necessary because after your car is repaired, all of the affected ADAS systems have to be recalibrated. This is a precise process and involves setting the car level, usually with a full tank of gas, and can even involve a lengthy road test. Sometimes the vehicle needs to be taken to the dealer to have the calibrations performed, and in some cases, we have a specialist that comes to the shop to perform our calibrations. This process can take several hours.

GM tells you what to look for, provides the RPO code on top of the information available through the VIN, and offers the actual brand name of the ADAS to search for in the repair procedures.

As a vehicle owner who may be comparing estimates from two body shops, here is what to look for to know whether your car is getting a proper OEM repair and calibration:

Does the estimate say R&R or R&I windshield?

Was a “collision repair” conducted?

Did an airbag blow?

A forward collision usually requires a recalibration of the “Frontview Camera – Windshield,” according to GM.

Even in minor collisions, GM warns against assuming that the camera is properly functioning, and the shop might have to verify its status with a scan.

In terms of the actual windshield camera calibration, the GM document states the technician should program the camera if necessary and research the full OEM procedures.

Some GM vehicles can start reprogramming themselves after the camera is replaced, but other GM models will need the GM scan tool to start the calibrations. It is important for the technician to know that they need to check the OEM repair documentation for your vehicle and ask your shop if they are doing so before you drop off your car for repair.

Other parts on your GM vehicle are equally nuanced in their repair requirements.

Park assist sensors need calibration on some vehicles but not others. A short-range radar sensor module doesn’t need calibration but must receive SPS programming as described in the OEM procedures if it is replaced.

If your vehicle is equipped with lane departure or blind-spot monitoring systems, GM says that no specific calibration is required as a part of service, simply drive the vehicle to begin calibration, but SPS programming is required after replacement.

Summary

Some of this information be a little technical for some, but it is important to know that unlike years past, collision repair has become extremely more complicated and involves way more technology, research, equipment, and expertise than in years past. That’s why we take the time to break it down for you and explain what is important to know, and why. And most of all, it is important that you ask your repairer these questions to determine if you are dealing with a shop that follows the correct process or a shop that cuts corners in order to meet tight deadlines in the name of production. We hope you found this informative and helpful.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

More Insurers Using Photo Estimates In 2020 And Why That May Be Bad For You

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body

 

If you’ve just been in an accident, you may have been asked by your insurance company to submit a photo estimate. In order to do so, you may have had to download an app built by your insurance company, or you may have submitted photos online.

 

What happens next is some sci-fi technology analyzes the damage and writes an estimate, and it may even cut you a check immediately. Sounds convenient doesn’t it?

 

The trend towards photo damage estimates had been growing before Covid 19 brought massive changes to just about every aspect of our lives.  Collision repair industry estimating system company, CCC, has recently reported the insurers recently hit their 3 millionth photo estimated since 2019.

 

Body shops use CCC to write all estimates (it’s a universal platform) and because they have access to all this data, they publish trends articles in the industry.

 

CCC reported that the percentage of claims processed through their Quick Estimate, the company’s mobile photo estimating solution, has more than doubled from January to April of 2020 as carriers are accelerating use and adoption of digital tools in response to COVID-19.

 

Is this push for photo estimating good news for you, our customer?

 

It might not be. It is widely held by auto body shops that it is not possible to accurately estimate the total cost to repair a vehicle until it is torn down, and the photo systems cannot possibly see hidden damages.

 

Insurance companies want to move in this direction because it cuts their labor down.  It also cuts down on claims pay outs as many customers with small repairs are likely to just keep the check and live with the damage even though they could be entitled to much more if they would just get a proper estimate and a proper repair.

 

A proper estimate requires full teardown of the damaged areas to see what is behind. Photo estimates cannot detect kinks in frames. They cannot measure and check for frame or unibody straightness and they cannot measure critical components like steering columns that shops need to measure to accurately assess damages.

 

You could get a photo estimate, go to some cheap shop where they do not follow all the OEM procedures and end up driving an unsafe vehicle with hidden and unfixed damage

 

However, photo estimates and other AI systems are part of the future.

sun shining through auto repair shop

 

What do the Insurers say about photo estimating accuracy?

 

USAA auto claims Vice President Anne Warner said they have learned to allow progress over perfection even though the insurance industry tends to want to be “100 percent sure”.

 

Liberty Mutual claims general manager and U.S. retail markets Vice President Dean Peasley said the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 response showed that Insurance companies really can change more aggressively than expected.

 

He called it amazing how much Liberty Mutual changed in the few months before the May 26 webinar and estimated advancements had been pulled forward “several years.”

 

We will how things shape up when Covid 19 ends.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.