Using Telematics to Prevent Distracted Driving
At any given time during the day in the United States, it’s estimated that more than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.1 Despite laws to curb phone use in the car, drivers are becoming more likely to interact with their devices while driving, not less.2 They’re also using their phones in riskier ways.
The Black Car Fund Delivers the Future of Benefits to Independent Workers Today
How do you provide a safety net for over 100,000 workers who are not your employees without their contact information? For nearly two decades, The Black Car Fund (The Fund) has found a way through innovative solutions and remaining relevant with the changing times.
Four Essential Investments for Improved Collision Repair Efficiency
What are the investments you can make in your repair shop to produce more in the same amount of time? David Stringfield, of Auto Masters Fleet Services Inc., weighed-in on his operational secrets for efficiency in an article by Ratchet+Wrench.
What’s Behind the Increase in Total Loss Market Values?
Auto insurance carriers are not only facing increasing cost of repairs due to the rise in vehicle complexity but also are seeing increased costs when it comes to settling total losses. Average total loss market values have increased 6.55% in the first half of 2019 compared to the same time period last year, and the frequency of total loss outcomes has increased slightly as well to 17.53% in the first half of 2019 compared to 17.49% in the same time period last year.
The Introduction of Level 3 Automation
Autonomous vehicles have been making headlines for the past several years with some experts in the industry predicting that such vehicles would be taking over our roadways in the next decade. While this scenario seems unlikely due to the challenges that come with 100% automation, automakers are now equipping their vehicles with more advanced autonomous features that require less driver involvement.
Economic Trends Impacting the Collision Repair Industry in 2019
While new vehicle sales numbers have cooled from the records of the previous couple of years, the strength of the US economy continues to have an impact on consumer behaviors, driving patterns, and thus, the trajectory of the auto claims and collision repair industries. The adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in a larger percentage of the car parc has been predicted to decrease accident frequency, but Mitchell data shows an increase of 4.4% in non-comprehensive claims in the first half of 2019 compared to the previous year.
Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q2 2019
Average wholesale prices in July were flat relative to June and remained up on a year-over-year basis largely on the price strength and growing share of truck-segment sales. CPO sales continue to buoy off-lease vehicle prices.