July 20, 2011 — Collision Billing Services (CBS) on Tuesday announced the launch of its Claims Database, designed to help repairers receive full payment for all charges relating to a customer’s vehicle.
The database can track data submitted by subscribers to document charges for repairs, rates, and materials as well as what payments insurers have made on a consumer’s behalf. CBS can identify each specific insurer’s practices through the database and use the information to help repairers obtain payment. CBS can also use the database to provide reports on insurance companies and other agencies to state departments.
“We know, for example, that some auto insurers are playing games with labor rates by paying shops lump sum amounts entered as manual generic entries on the insurer’s estimate or supplement, rather than openly acknowledging that additional money represents an increase in the shop’s labor rate,” said Erica Eversman, counsel and a member of CBS. “This tactic allows insurers to claim that shops are continuing to accept low labor rates, when they know the evidence supporting these claims is artificial and manufactured by them.”
All collision repair facilities are welcome to participate in the database service. Shops can send their repair blueprints and invoices to CBS electronically, along with the final estimate from the insurance company and payment information.
For more information on the database or Collision Billing Services, go to collisionbilling.com.
