During his Wednesday session on "The Mechanics of Estimating," Mike Anderson, principal at consulting firm www.CollisionAdvice.com, provided an overview of online tools that are available to help body shops write more accurate estimates. By leveraging these tools, shops can improve cycle time and reduce the friction in the negotiating process with insurers, while boosting CSI.
Estimate writing has become more complicated because of the complexity of newer vehicles. "I don't know how anyone can write an estimate today without having access to the technical data," Anderson says. "There is so much data out there."
Anderson offered up a list of dozens of Web sites that provide services and tools for repairers to provide more accurate estimates – tools that go beyond what is available from the database providers. "What is available to you through the estimating systems does not always provide a completely accurate picture of the parts you are going to need," Anderson said.
OEMs offer free online resources that include factory parts diagrams. Sites Anderson recommended included www.courtesynissanparts.com, www.partslink24.com, www.toyotapartsandservice.com, and www.radio-navicode.honda.com.
In addition to the OEM websites, Anderson discussed scrubbing tools (like Toyota's PartsBridge) that can help determine if the estimate complies with insurance company requirements, and can help identify missing parts or operations.
Another way to improve parts accuracy: contact your suppliers using Skype and a Web camera instead of just calling on a normal phone. "When I had my own shops, I would use Skype to communicate to the vendors and show them the actual parts I needed," Anderson said. "We'd do a live video feed, and I could just hold the part up so they could view it."
CollisionAdvice also has developed several spreadsheets that can help improve estimates. For example, the company offers a blend calculator, and another tool that can help articulate frame times. These tools are specific to insurance carriers, and can help shops automatically calculate time based on their requirements.
Structural calculators and blend rulers also can help in insurance company negotiations, because the shop can easily point to manufacturer recommendations to back-up the operations they are charging for on the estimate.
Anderson also discussed rekeying solutions available from the software and information providers, including CCC's Auto Workfile Entry (AWE) tool and Audatex's Claims Element.
In addition, Anderson suggested using dual monitors when writing an estimate – with the estimating system on one screen and the OEM parts graphics on the other.
"By using these online tools along with the databases, you get a more accurate picture of the parts you are going to need, down to every nut, bolt and clip," Anderson says. "If you can improve the estimate, you not only improve your own efficiency, you can avoid supplements down the road."
Anderson also presented an open call to insurers to participate more fully in coming up with solutions to make these processes easier on body shops.
