The Network's high standards for participation - backed by third-party verification - remain constant as the program grows, with many shops making facility and customer service improvements in order to qualify to participate. Overall, 30 percent of shops that applied to participate in the CertifiedFirst Network did not qualify on their first attempt.

 

"The CertifiedFirst Network is built on the idea that superior customer service and facilities are key factors in providing consumers, fleet clients and insurers with positive collision repair experiences," said Mary Kimbro, director, the CertifiedFirst Network. "While it may seem that a number of shops did not qualify to join the Network on their first attempt, these numbers simply reinforce the high quality, excellent service and customer-oriented nature of CertifiedFirst Network shops."

CertifledFirst Network shops are located in 42 of the 48 continental United States, as well as in five of the nine Canadian provinces. In its first year of operation, the Network received more than 1,600 applications. To date, the CertifiedFirst Network has over 700 participating shops. Over 700 more are currently working towards verification.

 

AIG deal announced

 

The CertifiedFirst Network recently announced an agreement with American International Group, Inc. (AIG), the largest underwriter of commercial and industrial insurance. in the United States, which will make Network shops automatically eligible for acceptance into AIG's Direct Appraisal Program (DAP) through a streamlined application process.

First fleet agreement with CEI

The CertifiedFirst Network also entered into an agreement with the CEI Group, North America's largest fleet management company. The Network will provide its third-party verification for CEI's Direct Repair Network shops, based on current research by the fleet management company showing that clients, customers and insurers prefer body shops working on their vehicles be independently verified.

The CertifiedFirst Network supports participating shops through a variety of marketing efforts, including advertising and online promotion. By the end of 2001,104 million consumers will have been exposed to the CertifiedFirst Network logo and message through advertising in Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Better Homes & Gardens. Additionally, the Network is reaching out to insurers through a series of ads in insurance trade magazines.

Through banner ads and exclusive keyword search programs placed on the Internet, more than 3 million targeted prospects have seen the CertifiedFirst Network logo and message. The CertifiedFirst Network Web site received NBCi's Seal of Distinction for informative consumer content for its "What to do in case of an accident?" feature. Since going live in September of 2000, the CertifiedFirst Network Web site has recorded 1,378,444 hits, with an average visit time of seven minutes.