STATE FARM INDEPENDENT AUTO EXAM
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.
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.
, STATE FARM INDEPENDENT AUTO EXAM
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 damages will
assist us in
determining whether certain operations are payable
Non original equipment and recycled parts - ✔State Farm promises satisfaction to the
vehicle owner when new non-original equipment and/or
recycled parts are specified on an estimate that is written or approved by State Farm or
a Select Service repair facility.
The State Farm promise of satisfaction relative to non-original equipment or recycled
parts does not replace any quality or warranty provisions we require from repairers,
non-original equipment,
or recycled part suppliers.
The State Farm promise of satisfaction for non-original equipment and recycled parts
extends to fit, corrosion resistance, and performance qualities
Non-OEM - ✔Non-Original Equipment Manufacturer
OEM Quality - ✔Used, rebuilt, or reconditioned parts must be of sufficient quality
relative to the part being replaced
Certified Crash Related Non-OEM Parts - ✔such parts are subject to certification
standards developed by an organization approved by State Farm*:
•Bumper
components
•Lighting components
•Radiator supports/tie bars and associated mounting components
•Outer sheet metal and plastic/composite parts
The vehicle owner may request a new non-OEM crash part that is not certified. In this
situation, we should pay the claim based on the part being utilized
Non-OEM Delay - ✔No unusual delay must occur as a result of considering non-original
equipment
and/or recycled parts for use in repairs
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.
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.
, STATE FARM INDEPENDENT AUTO EXAM
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 damages will
assist us in
determining whether certain operations are payable
Non original equipment and recycled parts - ✔State Farm promises satisfaction to the
vehicle owner when new non-original equipment and/or
recycled parts are specified on an estimate that is written or approved by State Farm or
a Select Service repair facility.
The State Farm promise of satisfaction relative to non-original equipment or recycled
parts does not replace any quality or warranty provisions we require from repairers,
non-original equipment,
or recycled part suppliers.
The State Farm promise of satisfaction for non-original equipment and recycled parts
extends to fit, corrosion resistance, and performance qualities
Non-OEM - ✔Non-Original Equipment Manufacturer
OEM Quality - ✔Used, rebuilt, or reconditioned parts must be of sufficient quality
relative to the part being replaced
Certified Crash Related Non-OEM Parts - ✔such parts are subject to certification
standards developed by an organization approved by State Farm*:
•Bumper
components
•Lighting components
•Radiator supports/tie bars and associated mounting components
•Outer sheet metal and plastic/composite parts
The vehicle owner may request a new non-OEM crash part that is not certified. In this
situation, we should pay the claim based on the part being utilized
Non-OEM Delay - ✔No unusual delay must occur as a result of considering non-original
equipment
and/or recycled parts for use in repairs
