If you are an insurer who is using direct repair providers or third party administrators to settle automobile damage claims, please take note. Recently, I conducted a survey comparing desk audits by third party administrators to the claims that I have handled as an independent appraiser.
The third party administrator reports to an insurer the original estimated repair cost provided by a body shop. Then, using whatever guidelines have been set by the insurer, the TPA negotiates for a lower cost-to-repair dollar value. The completed audit report states the savings the audit company was able to negotiate on behalf of the insurer.
The third party audits I reviewed consistently displayed the following: higher dollar repair costs, non-standard repair procedures, omission or removal of repair procedures, labor allowance changes by the use of more than one estimating guide, supplements conducted without re-inspections (Was that quarter panel sectioned, when a full replacement was requested, agreed, and paid for?), lack of appraiser license numbers on audits, and additional violations of state regulations.
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