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Auto body repair shops throughout are using simple desktop technology to automatically update and send vehicle status reports directly to insurance companies online. By doing so, they are not only reducing phone calls and alleviating paperwork, they are actually improving their relationships with insurance companies by making it faster and easier to file and track claims reports.
With seven shops located throughout Southern California, Steve Seidner, vice president and co-owner of Seidner's Collision Centers, has been using ARMS Automotive for nearly three years. He says online reporting is substantially more efficient than phone calls and frees up more time to work on repairing cars, which helps them finish cars faster.
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Enterprise continues to open locations inside of larger body shops.
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"Our customer service representatives not only spend a lot less time on the phone, I'm confident that accurate information is being relayed to our insurance partners," said Seidner. "All it takes is a few clicks of the mouse to send information to insurance providers who can access information instantly, when they need it."
From large chains to small independently-owned shops across the nation, including many in the west and southwest, the Automated Rental Management System (ARMS) Web uses technology to add convenience and efficiency for shops that provide collision repairs and automobile physical damage claims support.
Developed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the ARMS Web application is a three-way connection between Enterprise, the repair shop and the insurance company. ARMS technology, which is currently being used by more than 5,000 body shops nationwide, makes it simple and easy for insurance adjusters, repair shops and Enterprise to constantly update and share information, from initiating a rental car reservation and accurately monitoring when repairs will be completed to authorizing payment through electronic funds transfer.
By enabling repair shops to automatically send vehicle status reports to insurance companies online, phone calls and paperwork are significantly reduced, saving time as well as money. It also helps improve the relationship between repair shops and insurance companies by making it faster and easier to file and track claims reports.
According to Walter Russell, owner of two Image Auto Body shops in Austin, Texas, ARMS Automotive has made a substantial difference in his workday routine and created more selling time for customers. "Not only are we saving at least 45 minutes each day on phone calls, we can choose to spend the 5-10 minutes required to enter information first thing in the morning, before we have any customers in the shop. ARMS has virtually eliminated interruptions while we are working with customers to pitch and close a sale."
Shop owner Russell believes that ARMS is just the beginning of the technology revolution that is impacting the auto body industry. "Technology will only help our industry and ARMS signals the beginning of the revolution because it enhances communications about work flow and cycle times," he said. "Businesses in our industry that do not learn to embrace technology enthusiastically are going to be left behind."
"In the past, an insurance adjuster had to call the repair shop directly or asked Enterprise to call on their behalf to obtain vehicle updates," said Bruce Clifton, vice president of Enterprise. "As an Internet-based application, information from the repair shop is sent automatically to insurance companies. This improved communication can favorably impact the shop's status as a 'preferred provider'."
How it works
Sending requests to repair shops - Each morning, Enterprise sends an e-mail to the repair shop notifying them to log on to ARMS Automotive online to update requests from insurance companies.
Updating requests - The repair shop personnel simply log on to ARMS Automotive, update information about the vehicle, and send it to Enterprise. The information also can be electronically forwarded to the insurance company at the same time.
Verifying that requests have been updated - Once the repair shop logs on to ARMS Automotive to receive requests for vehicle status updates, the insurance company receives an electronic confirmation.
Follow-up - If a repair shop has not updated its requests electronically, a person at Enterprise will call to remind them.
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