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Archive for the ‘Claims’ Category

HD Repair Forum to Showcase OEM and Insurer Involvement

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The HD Repair Forum (HDRF) is in its 6th year and the level of engagement from OEM’s and insurers continues to grow. Previous conferences have highlighted information on new vehicle technology, repair resources, and parts information from several OEMs including PACCAR, Daimler, Ford Motor Company, Rivian, Great Dane, Volvo Group North America, and others.

“As the industry and technology continues to evolve, engaging with the OEM’s and insurers has never been more critical, ” stated Brian Nessen, HD Repair Forum President. 

Isuzu, MCI, Navistar and Prevost will take this stage this year to present during the 2023 general sessions on Tuesday, April 18th and Wednesday, April 19th in Fort Worth, Texas. “Their participation is a continuation of the support the event has received the past few years from the manufacturers.” Nessen continued. Speakers from our OEM supporters will provide insight on the latest in technology for newer model vehicles, where to find repair information for those vehicles, updates on the parts supply chain, and more.

The HD Repair Forum is a platform for all industry stakeholders to discuss common challenges and identify solutions, and that includes involvement from the industry’s insurance partners. “We have had a number of insurance and independent appraiser companies involved with the HD Repair Forum over the years.” Nessen emphasized. “Without their input, we would be missing a big piece of the puzzle.” 

This year’s insurance panel will feature representatives from National General, an Allstate Company, Great American Insurance Group, and Federated Insurance and will focus on challenges experienced by both repairers and insurers with the goal of identifying potential solutions, including audience participation and Q & A. 

Registration for the event is still open, and the opportunity to save on registration rates is still available. To access registration and gather more information go to hdrepairforum.com/event-registration

Those with questions or interest in getting more involved in the industry’s only collision-focused event may reach out to Jennie Lepore JennieL@hdrepairforum.com or Brian Nessen BrianN@hdrepairforum.com.

About HD Repair Group

HD Repair Group offers a dedicated source of focused-information for those involved in collision repair work of heavy-duty, medium-duty, commercial, and non-commercial vehicles in classes 4 – 8. This community is where industry stakeholders such as shop owners, company executives, managers, technicians, estimators, and others can network with industry peers and find the latest news, tips, trends, and best practices in the heavy- and medium-duty collision repair marketplace. The HD Repair Group serves this industry in numerous ways including hosting conferences, distributing a monthly e-newsletter, hosting webinars, videos, social channels, and more. 

Learn more or sign up here to get connected today. 

Progress in Heavy-Duty & Medium-Duty Collision Repair Continues

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The HD Repair Forum is gearing up for one of its largest events in the program’s history, April 18th-19th, in Fort Worth, Texas. Early registration numbers are higher than normal driven by a session line-up that covers topics such as addressing the technician shortage, improving profitability, and handling new vehicle technology during repair. “We are also very excited to announce two new OEMs, who are participating for the first time this year,” stated Jennie Lepore, HD Repair Forum’s Communications Director.

MCI representative Tim Barnes, will take the stage on Tuesday, April 18th to discuss how to access repair information, find parts, and  share opportunities for engagement with the OEM. Presenting on the main stage Wednesday, April 19th, is Prevost’s Robert Hitt, who will explain the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features common to their latest vehicles and underscore proper repair.

OEMs like Navistar will continue their long standing involvement with the forum and deliver information about new vehicle technology. Component suppliers like Bendix, whose ADAS technologies are embedded within a wide range of vehicle makes and models, will supply attendees with need-to-know education that will help prepare the industry for more complex repairs.  And 3M, AkzoNobel, Axalta Coating Systems, Evercoat, I-CAR, PPG, and TEXA will also deliver educational seminars throughout the two day event. Their support of the market and year-around efforts to provide solutions for this industry has been pivotal to improvements in the marketplace. To see the full agenda go to www.hdrepairforum.com/agenda

“We are encouraged by the level of engagement from so many of the industry’s leaders. As the market continues to evolve there is an even greater need for collaboration among stakeholders, and the HD Repair Forum is the perfect conduit.” stated Brian Nessen, co-founder of the HD Repair Forum.

Registration for the event is open and provides attendees with discounted hotel rates at the Hilton Fort Worth. To access registration and gather more information go to hdrepairforum.com/event-registration/

Companies interested in getting more involved in the industry’s only collision-focused event may reach out to Jennie Lepore JennieL@hdrepairforum.com or Brian Nessen BrianN@hdrepairforum.com for more information.

Heavy-Duty & Medium-Duty Collision Repair Conference Topics Confirmed

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The HD Repair Forum conference focuses educational sessions on topics and issues supporting the betterment of the heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair industry. Opportunities for industry engagement, networking, and business leadership are supplemental assets of the event. 

The HD Repair Forum’s only planned conference for 2023 takes place at the historic Hilton in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Collision repairers, insurers and appraisers of vehicles ranging from class 4 –8 will join OE and component manufacturers as well as equipment and service providers for this unique opportunity to hear up-to-date information on heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles and their repair challenges in today’s market.

Session topics for this year include finding and growing technicians, new vehicle technology, motorcoaches, emergency vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, ADAS systems, marketing your business, adapting to the shifts in the collision industry post-covid, and much more. The complete agenda will be released next month. 

“Direct access to peers, business partners, and industry education is a valuable takeaway for our constituents,” explains Brian Nessen, co-founder of the HD Repair Forum. “Important conversations and solutions to this industry’s challenges are made during the HD Repair Forum, and we are looking forward to providing the industry with this valuable time again in 2023.”

Registration for the event is now open. Early bird discounts and group hotel rates are available for a limited time. To access registration and gather more information go to hdrepairforum.com/event-registration/

For more information on the HD Repair Forum and industry resources sign-up for our e-communications

Companies and organizations interested in sponsoring the industry’s only collision-focused event may reach out to Brian Nessen, BrianN@hdrepairforum.com or Jennie Lepore, JennieL@hdrepairforum.com.

About HD Repair Group

HD Repair Group offers a dedicated source of focused-information for those involved in collision repair work of heavy-duty, medium-duty, commercial, and non-commercial vehicles in classes 4 – 8. This community is where industry stakeholders, such as shop owners, company executives, managers, technicians, estimators, and others can network with industry peers and find the latest news, tips, trends, and best practices in the heavy- and medium-duty collision repair marketplace. The HD Repair Group serves this industry in numerous ways including hosting conferences, distributing a monthly e-newsletter, hosting webinars, videos, social channels, and more. 

Learn more or sign up here to get connected today!

HD Repair Forum Opens Registration for 2023 Collision Conference

Posted by Jennie Lepore

On April 18th & 19th, 2023, members of the heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair industry will travel from all parts of North America to hear the latest information on collision industry trends and how technology is redefining the industry.

The two day conference returns to the historic Hilton in downtown Fort Worth, Texas and will follow a similar format as in years past, with presentations and panel discussions involving OEMs, repair experts, insurers, and other collision industry leaders. Unique to the event are a diverse set of focused learning tracks, providing more in-depth information on topics that address the industry’s repair demands and business growth opportunities.  

Similar to previous Heavy-Duty Repair Forums, the advisory board plays a critical role in developing the agenda, speakers, and content. Rodney Rowland,  Body shop manager at Lakeside Trucks in Wisconsin, “I’ve been attending the HD Repair Forum since its inception in 2018. It has become the place for the leaders in the industry to gather to share knowledge, identify trends, and drive improvement for the entire  industry.”

The HD Repair Forum is the only collision-focused event for heavy-duty and medium-duty repairers, making it a must-attend event for collision shop owners, managers, lead technicians and estimators. These stakeholders and other industry partners including executives from OEMs, insurance and appraisal companies will also not want to miss this exclusive, once-a-year in-person opportunity to gather information, network with peers and business partners, and better equip their business for the  challenges experienced by everyone in the market. 

Registration for the event is now open. Early registration discounts and group hotel rates are available for a limited time. To access registration and gather more information go to hdrepairforum.com/event-registration/

Companies and organizations interested in sponsoring the industry’s only collision-focused event may reach out to Brian Nessen @ BrianN@hdrepairforum.com or Jennie Lepore, formerly Lenk, @ JennieL@hdrepairforum.com.

HD Repair Forum Fall Conference to Tackle Industry’s Biggest Challenges

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The Fall HD Repair Forum will take place September 26th and 27th and it will address the industry’s biggest challenges including staffing issues, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electric vehicle repair information, new model vehicle technology advancements, and more. The complete agenda can be found here.

The advancement and adoption of electric vehicles and ADAS continues to evolve. As their presence and complexity in the industry grows, it is the HD Repair Forum’s mission to make sure the heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair industry is prepared to handle and repair these vehicles for safe and proper repair.

Taking the stage in September is a well-known list of companies, organizations, and industry experts who will provide education, training, and insight on these key topics. Organizations represented include: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Big Rig Alignment, Ford, Great Dane, I-CAR, the RV Dealers Association, Penske, Progressive and many others.

The HD Repair Forum will take place alongsideTMC’s 2022 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competitions, which offers attendees a chance to participate in both events. Those involved in heavy-duty & medium-duty collision repair looking to prepare yourself, your team, and your business for growth and success should make plans and head to Cleveland.

For more information on the organization, event educational sessions, and industry resources sign-up for our e-communications
To register for the event, visit the HD Repair Forum website or go here

Registration Opens Fall HD Repair Forum

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The Fall HD Repair Forum 2022 conference will take place Monday and Tuesday, September 26th & 27th, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio and will be co-located with the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council’s (TMC) fall meetings.

Attendees of the event will hear presentations and panel discussions that give insight and speak to trends in the heavy-& medium-duty collision repair marketplace. Speakers involved include truck manufacturers, insurance carriers, collision repair experts, and many other collision industry leaders.

The fall event begins Monday with a networking breakfast and vendor fair enabling those in attendance a chance to fuel up for the day and catch up with friends, colleagues, and industry partners. Following will be an agenda filled with educational sessions that speak to industry executives, shop owners and managers, insurance partners, and other company leaders. This year’s sessions and presentations will look deeper at topics involving ADAS repairs, Ford’s e-Transit in the medium-duty market, solutions to the technician shortage, welding newer substrates, and many other key topics and trends.

Also unique to the Fall 2022 program is the organization’s partnership with the American Trucking Association’s TMC Fall Meetings. Registration to the HD Repair Forum’s event in Cleveland will also include access to TMC’s s17 Heavy-Duty Collision Task Force’s meeting. 

The partnership with TMC speaks to the HD Repair Forum’s continuous efforts to work with all stakeholders in the market. ”Collaboration is vital to the success of an industry and we are pleased to partner with TMC this year,“ stated President and co-founder, Brian Nessen. “Hosting a collision industry event alongside TMC provides both audiences with a unique opportunity to attend a wider array of sessions.“

The HD Repair Forum is the only event dedicated to heavy-duty & medium-duty collision repair and is the only place where stakeholders in this market can gain access to available industry specific training, equipment and service providers, receive information on topics that matter most to this industry, and have important and affirming conversations with peers. 

Registration to the HD Repair Forum is now open and access to the early bird rate is available for a limited time. To access HD Repair Forum registration, go to www.hdrepairforum.com/register

For those offering equipment, services, and educational opportunities to this industry, be sure to check out our 2022 sponsorship opportunities. Or to find out how your company can get further involved in the evolution of this industry, please reach out to via email or call 281-819-2332.

PPG Automotive Refinish Commercial Coatings Products – COMMERCIAL COATINGS PPG – to conduct live webinar on PPG ADJUSTRITE commercial estimating system for RVs

Posted by Jennie Lepore

Session on HD Repair Forum will present functions, benefits of system

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – July 7, 2022 — PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that it will conduct a live webinar on August 3 at 12pm to highlight the exclusive benefits of its PPG ADJUSTRITE™ commercial estimating system for recreational vehicle (RV) repairs. The session will be presented by HD Repair Forum, which is an information source for those involved in collision repair of heavy- and medium-duty vehicles, including tractors, trailers, buses and RVs.

The PPG AdjustRite system features an extensive database of RV repair information that includes Class A motor homes, Class C motor homes, fifth wheel trailers and travel trailers. The system provides a unique ability to quickly generate detailed and accurate RV collision repair estimates that can be shared electronically.

“Given the complexity and huge number of RV chassis variables on the market, the PPG AdjustRite system is an attractive asset for repair facilities and claims operations,” said Doug Orr, PPG AdjustRite manager, Automotive Refinish. “Anyone looking to streamline the RV repair estimating process will definitely want to attend this event.”

Orr will conduct the one-hour presentation, which will include how to load an RV database, prepare a detailed estimate, use linear and dimensional body and paint calculators, and apply logic (overhaul, overlap, included operations, additional operations and add-on parts). Orr will close out the event with a Q&A session.

To participate in the live webinar, visit the HD Repair Forum registration page .

For more information about the PPG AdjustRite commercial estimating system for RVs, visit www.adjustrite.com or call 941-391-1001.

 

 

Commercial Collision Claim Trends – Q1 2022

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The following data provides benchmarking insights and trends compiled from the PPG ADJUSTRITE® Commercial Estimating system for the 1st quarter of 2022. This data reflects information compiled from both insurance and shop estimates from the United States and Canada. For all metrics, this information excludes known total losses, estimates with only one line item, and estimates <$100. Severity for Q1 2022 averaged $12,499—a 31.4% increase over Q1 2021.

 

The Sales Mix Percent for Q1 2022, shown in Table 1, reflects percentage increases for Parts and Sublet, compared to the same quarter last year.

Table 1.  Sales Mix Percent for Q1 2019 – 2022

 

Referring to the Labor Mix Percent in Table 2 for Q1, you’ll notice there were increases in  Mechanicial and Frame Labor compared to Q1 2021.
Table 2.  Labor Mix Percent for Q1 2019 – 2022

Average Labor Dollar categories, reflected in Table 3, all experienced increases in Q1, relative to 2021—with the exception of Miscellaneous.  Body and Paint had the largest increases.
Table 3.  Average Labor Dollars for Q1 2019 – 2022

The chart for Average Dollars by Quarter shows year over year increases  for Sublet, Paint Materials and Shop Supplies. Shop Supplies had the highest percentage increase, compared to Q1 2021.   

Thank you for your continued interest in following the latest trends for commercial collision claims.

About PPG ADJUSTRITE®:
The PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating system is an industry-leading platform in the medium-to-heavy-duty equipment repair and claims industry. This system is a web-based, fully mobile application, driven by a comprehensive database of commercial vehicles and equipment including: tractors, trailers, trucks, boxes, motor coaches, RVs, and buses. To learn more about the PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating System, visit www.adjustrite.com .

The PPG Logo and Adjustrite are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. © 2022 PPG Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.

2021 Year-end Trends for Commercial Collision Claims

Posted by Jennie Lepore

The following data provides benchmarking insights and trends compiled from PPG’s ADJUSTRITE® Commercial Estimating system for the 4th quarter, 2021. This data reflects information compiled from both insurance and shop estimates from the United States and Canada. For all metrics, this information excludes known total losses, estimates with only one line item, and estimates <$100.
Severity for 2021 averaged $9,965—a 13.3% increase over 2020.  Severity for the 4th quarter experienced the largest increase, up 20.6% relative to Q4 2020. 

When looking at Sale Mix Percent for the past four years, the only year-over-year trend is that Sublet percent is increasing. Comparing 2021 to 2020, Parts and Sublet percentages increased, while Labor and Paint Materials decreased. All Sales Mix dollars categories saw increases in 2021.  The annual average for Parts dollars had the highest increase of 14.6%, while the lowest increase was for Paint Materials dollars at 10.1%.  

Table 1:  Sales Mix Percent for 2018 – 2021

In Table 2, the 2021 Labor Mix Percent shows an increase in Mechanical over 2020, while Body Percent continued to slightly decline.

Looking at Table 3, all Average Labor Dollar categories show an increase in 2021 relative to 2020, with the exception of Frame.  Body and Paint had the largest increases of 11.2% and 8.6, respectively.

Table 3: Average Labor Dollars for 2018 – 2021

Please note that a correction to Sublet was made for trends reported Q3 2021 and has been applied to all years. 

Average Dollars for Sublet, Paint Materials and Shop Supplies show a year-over-year increase. Compared to 2020, Shop Supplies had the highest percent increase of 14.8%. 

 

Thank you for your continued interest in following the latest trends for commercial collision claims.

 

About PPG ADJUSTRITE®:

The PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating system is an industry-leading platform in the medium-to-heavy-duty equipment repair and claims industry. This system is a web-based, fully mobile application, driven by a comprehensive database of commercial vehicles and equipment including: tractors, trailers, trucks, boxes, motor coaches, RVs, and buses. To learn more about the PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating System, visit www.adjustrite.com .

Latest 2021 Trends for Commercial Collision Claims

Posted by Jennie Lepore

February 7, 2022 – The following data provides benchmarking insights and trends compiled from our PPG ADJUSTRITE® Commercial Estimating system for the 3rd quarter, 2021.  This data reflects information compiled from both insurance and shop estimates from the United States and Canada. For all metrics, the information excludes known total losses, estimates with only one line item and estimates <$100. 

Severity for the 3rd Quarter averaged $10,172—a 13.5% increase over the previous quarter.  

This average is 16.4% higher than Q3, 2020 and 22.2% higher than Q3, 2019. Severity data for October and November 2021 indicates that Q4 severity average dollars should climb even higher.

All Sales Mix dollars for Q3 saw double digit increases over Q3 2020.  Parts dollars saw the highest increase of 20%.

Table 1: Sales Mix Percent for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

The Mechanical and Frame Q3 Labor Mix Percent increased compared to the same quarter in 2020. Mechanical Q3 Labor Mix Percent trended up, while Body and Paint Q3 Labor Mix Percent continued its downward trend over the last 3 years.

Table 2:  Labor Mix Percent for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

Table 3:  Average Labor Dollars for Quarter 3 of 2019, 2020, & 2021

All average dollar categories in Q3’s Labor Mix showed increases compared to same quarter last year. Body and Miscellaneous had the largest increases of 11.4% and 16.4% respectively.

We revisited our previously reported value of approximately $700 for Average Sublet Dollars and discovered a calculation error within the aggregated data set.

Our updated table now reflects year over year increases for Sublet, Paint Materials and Shop Supplies and  double digit growth compared to 2019.

Thank you for your continued interest in the industry metrics provided.  

About PPG AdjustRite:
The PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating system is an industry-leading platform in the medium-to-heavy-duty equipment repair and claims industry. This system is a web-based, fully mobile application, driven by a comprehensive database of commercial vehicles and equipment including: tractors, trailers, trucks, boxes, motor coaches, RVs, and buses. To learn more about the PPG AdjustRite Commercial Estimating System, visit www.adjustrite.com .