Insights
The Realization of Claims Virtualization
Five years ago, if someone mentioned “claims virtualization,” it most likely referred to an insurance carrier’s mobile application, or possibly just conjured visions of VR goggles used for high-tech simulations. These days however, the idea of virtual claims handling, or as Lexis Nexis1 defines it, “photo or video estimating in which no insurance employee physically inspects the vehicle,” has firmly taken hold with touchpoints from First Notice of Loss to Total Loss and all points in between.
The Impact of Calibration Needs on Collision Repair
With the increasing ubiquity of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), comes the increasing need for systems to be properly calibrated to ensure proper functionality after a repair has taken place. In many instances, calibrations are required simply because there is damage in the general area of a particular component, even if it wasn’t directly impacted by the collision event.
Is there a new concern related to Gabapentin use and serious breathing problems?
3 MIN READ
In a drug safety communication from FDA Medwatch, the FDA warns about serious breathing difficulties related to the use of gabapentinoid (GabaP) medications in patients with other respiratory risk factors.1
Current Used Vehicle Market Conditions: Q4 2019
2019 ended with average wholesale prices dropping for the seventh month in a row. Though some of this decline reflects seasonal patterns, it may also be indicative of used vehicle market “fatigue” after many months of admirably withstanding used vehicle supply growth without significant deterioration in values.
Average Length of Rental for Repairable Vehicles: Q4 2019
Average Length of Rental (LOR) for Q4 2019 landed at 13.1 days in the United States, an increase of 0.4 days compared to Q4 2018. Once again, there was very little consistency between regions and states or with Q3’s numbers. The Southwest region produced the largest increase at 0.8 days with average LOR ranging from a high of 14.5 days in the Mountain region to a low of 11.7 in the Pacific. At the state level, Rhode Island, Colorado and Wyoming were the high-end outliers at 16.1, 15.7 and 14.9 days, respectively, while North Dakota and Iowa produced the lowest numbers with both at 10.5 days.
Market Trends Continue to Show Signs of Increasing Acceptance of Electrification
Electric Vehicle (EV) sales did not continue the fast-paced growth seen in 2018 with the release of Tesla’s Model 3, but expert and consumer sentiments are pointing toward a bright near-term future for this industry-disrupting segment. Deloitte’s recently released 2020 Global Automotive Consumer Study shows that of the US consumers surveyed, 41% would prefer an alternative energy (non-internal combustion engine or ICE) vehicle for their next purchase.1 This figure is up from 29% in 2019 and 20% in 2018.
How to Better Review Costly Hospital, Emergency Room and Other Medical Bills for Third Party Claims
3 MIN READ
Motor vehicle accidents led to more than 2.5 million emergency department visits in 2017, according to the CDC’s most recent estimates. Emergency room and other hospital visits can be costly for insurance carriers, as facility charges are some of the highest fees that carriers face when paying for medical treatments related to auto accidents.