According to this article we found, State Farm is seeking a rate increase in the Lone Star state. Click here for the story.

In a data sampling study nationwide of various auto damage appraisal firms, the average cycle time results varied dramatically and many were pretty darn awful.  The one consistent theme among the companies studied except AutoClaims Direct,  were they all averaged over 4 days to turn around an assignment.  In today’s time crunched world this costs insurers billions of dollars a year in wasted rental car bills due to delays and decreased client satisfaction. AutoClaims Direct showed a cycle time twice as fast as this average and were the fastest firm nationwide coming in at under 2 days.  ”We have a laser like focus on cycle time”, stated AutoClaims Direct COO Tara Esquivel.  ”We are very proud to be the hands down leader in service and results.”

Here’s the data…..with AutoClaims Direct vs. the other firms.

This is an example of a fixed property loss… Vehicle hits Garage.

In an article we found today.. Hartford is cutting 400 claims jobs nationwide. Click here for the story.

The “Cash for Clunkers” turkey passed yesterday,  stuffed inside a war funding bill. This bill will federally subsidize car purchases giving owners up to $4500 to trade in their old vehicle. Click here for the story.

The CIC challenges CCC’s contention that the bumper refinish prompt in their estimating software is justified. Click here to read an article we found discussing the topic.

In data pulled from AutoClaims Direct’s DirectLink claims analytics system, the average appraisal value for auto damage claims appears to be on a slight downward trend this year. 

Source: AutoClaims Direct Inc. DirectLink 2009.

Here’s what a 4 and 1/2 hour dent repair looks like…before and during….

CURRENT BILL STATUS MEASURE : A.B. No. 1179 AUTHOR(S) : Jones.

TOPIC : Motor vehicle insurance: damage assessments.

HOUSE LOCATION : SEN +LAST AMENDED DATE : 04/27/2009

TYPE OF BILL : Active Non-Urgency Non-Appropriations Majority Vote Required Non-State-Mandated Local Program Non-Fiscal Non-Tax Levy

LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 05/14/2009

LAST HIST. ACTION : Referred to Com. on B., F. & I.

COMM. LOCATION : SEN BANKING, FINANCE AND INSURANCE COMM.

ACTION DATE : 06/17/2009

COMM. ACTION : Do pass. COMM. VOTE SUMMARY : Ayes: 11 Noes: 00 PASS TITLE : An act to amend Section 1874.87 of the Insurance Code, relating to motor vehicle insurance.

When a vehicle hits fixed property other than another car this is recorded as a “fixed property loss” This could be a house, store, restaurant, gas pump, fence, etc.  The average property adjustment figure for these type of losses during 2009 so far shows an average severity of $ 3,029.