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BodyShop Business Blog

Survey Says...

OK, our most recent survey is officially closed and the results are in. The question was, "Is an OEM-specified repair procedure the only correct way to repair a vehicle?" And...

57% of you said YES.

43% of you said NO.

There are a lot of issues here to talk about. For those of you who voted no, when is it appropriate to stray from the OEM-recommended procedure? How much experience do you feel you need to have before you can determine an "alternate" repair method you feel will be just as good as the OEM recommendation?

Also, if repairers are straying from OEM-recommended procedures, are they doing so due to insurer pressure or only on occasion when their expertise allows them to make the decision? Or is it simply the mentality of "there's more than one way to skin a cat"?

Here's another question: if a repairer has better access to OEM repair information, can he or she use it as leverage to get paid properly by insurance companies?

I would love to hear your comments on any of these questions. Join our community and post me a note. Thanks for your help.
 

 

Published Jun 04 2008, 12:03 PM by jstahl

Comments

 

Donnie Smith said:

I believe the new ways that cars are being made today, leaves no room for guess work.  The days of doing it the way we've always done it are gone.  Taylor rolled and boron metals may leave some sectioning procedures unsafe.  I think it would be hard for insurance companies to argue with OEM procedures, as it may result in unsafe vehicle to drive.    Are there any shops out there that have this problem?  

June 6, 2008 9:06 AM
 

jstahl said:

Donnie - That's a great point. Vehicles ARE very sophisticated these days, and the days of guesswork are over. Perhaps some repairers still cling to pride and their feeling that they have enough experience to wing it, but that's faulty thinking.

ALLDATA says that its customers who have direct access to OEM repair information HAVE been very successful at leveraging that information to get what they require from insurers. Still, I have to think if a shop has signed a DRP contract with an insurer, it pretty much gives the insurer the right to call all the shots or else you're off the program.

June 6, 2008 11:45 AM

About the Author

Jason Stahl has 14 years of experience as an editor, the last two serving as editor of BodyShop Business. He currently serves as an advisor to the Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists Committee of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and is a gold pin member of the Collision Industry Conference. Jason, who hails from Cleveland, Ohio, earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from John Carroll University in 1994 and started his career in journalism at a weekly newspaper, doing everything from delivering newspapers to selling advertising space to writing articles. In 1999, he broke into trade publishing with a five-year stint at Advanstar Communications. In his spare time, Jason enjoys playing golf and spending time with his two children.
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