Competitive Bids
The competitive bid process requires that two or more repairers submit competitive estimates or
"bids" for a specific repair job. The
... [Show More] amount of the low, complete bid is generally considered to
be the "competitive" price and is used as the basis for settlement. In all cases, the vehicle owner
selects the facility that will perform repairs.
PCPs
State Farm uses a continuous
survey that gives repairers the opportunity to provide information
online. The repairer information is used to determine labor rates and material pricing levels that
reflect prevailing prices in that area. PCPs are determined by analyzing information provided by
repairers that meet the Equipment/Capabilities Criteria listed on the Repair Facility Survey form
Select Service Program
In some market areas, repairers have been selected to participate in State Farm's Select Service
Program. The program is designed to enhance claim service,
increase efficiency, and afford
customers an opportunity to select qualified repairers to inspect and estimate vehicle damage
Paintless Dent repair
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an industry recognized repair process that involves the removal
of
hail dents or other types of damage from metal exterior surface panels without disturbing the
vehicle's finish. In most cases, this procedure involves the use of specialized tools to apply
pressure to the backside of the panel to remove surface imperfections. Other techniques may be
used to repair damage from the topside of the panel, depending on the size and location of the
damage. By using either of these techniques, the technician is able to restore panel appearance
which eliminates the need for refinishing the panel's surface area.
The PDR process is often used to repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an
outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an object that has not compromised the finish of the panel.
Since the outer finish of the panel has not been disturbed, it eliminates the refinishing process
and may allow for repairs to be completed in a more timely and cost effective manner.
ICAR
Inter Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.
Determining Repair Costs
The prices we pay for most repair operations will be determined from printed or electronic
collision estimating guides and repair facility survey results. However, it is not possible to
determine the cost of every repair operation from these sources. For example, when estimating a
sheet metal
or other repair operation, the labor estimate is based on judgment time. When
estimating judgment time, it should follow what is competitive in the local market to repair the
vehicle in a quality manner.
Estimats are based on
Estimates written or approved by
State Farm are based on labor rates and repair costs not to exceed what is charged by a majority of the repair market in a given area.
Contracts with repairers
We do not enter into contracts with repairers on individual repair jobs on a fixed or "contract"
repair job basis. We pay for the estimated cost of repair based on physical damage caused as a
result of the loss.
Freight Charges
Similarly, if freight charges are submitted to State Farm for payment, payment should normally
be resisted. Freight charges are not
considered as part of actual repair costs and are generally aligned with an expense a repairer or dealership may incur as a result of operating the repair facility business. If a circumstance arises that may warrant additional consideration, local
management should contact their assigned Estimatics consultant.
Minimum Cost
Establishing minimum costs or authority levels can provide a realistic measure of repair costs for
items such as the number of hours allowed for a complete refinish
job, material costs, or similar
items.
Publication of survey information
We will not knowingly violate that confidentiality by publicizing individual
survey data to persons outside our organization
Claims Summary
State Farm will pay claims based upon reasonable, competitive prices for repairs necessary to
repair the vehicle in a quality manner. The policy contract and law of dam
ages will assist us in
determining whether certain operations are payable [Show Less]