Repair costs recovering slightly from lows during recession, CCC says
The average total cost of repair for vehicle appraisals year-to-date through the third quarter of 2011 was $2,457, up 2.6 percent from 2010 and 1.9 percent higher than the average in 2008, according to CCC One's Autumn 2011 Crash Course report.
The 28-page report, which looks at key drivers and trends impacting the collision repair and auto claims industries, explores the connection between technology advancements, the changing role of the consumer and the need for product innovation. To keep pace with consumer expectations, the auto claims and collision repair industries will need even greater emphasis on technologies and products that can help improve communication and consumer engagement, the report says.
"For all types of businesses, consumers have moved into the driver's seat, steering much of the discussion around the products and services they would like to see developed and introduced to the marketplace," said Susanna Gotsch, lead analyst for CCC Information Services. "What this means for the auto claims and collision repair industries is greater emphasis on technologies and products that can help improve communication and consumer engagement. Our industry has made great strides on this front in the last 12-18 months, but more will need to be done to keep pace with consumer expectations."
The Crash Course autumn update also provides information on the macro and micro trends that have an impact on the daily lives of collision repairers and insurers, including vehicle sales statistics and projections, accident and claim frequency and repair costs.
To download a copy of the autumn update to CCC's Crash Course Report, visit: www.cccis.com and click on the News & Insight link.
