April 8, 2013—Mitchell International on Monday announced the launch of a new product designed to streamline communications between auto insurers and collision repair shops.
The tool, called RepairCenter Connect, allows any collision repair shop either inside or outside of a direct repair program (DRP) network to receive appraisal assignments from insurance companies.
By simplifying assignment retrieval and automatically consolidating important artifacts into Mitchell WorkCenter, RepairCenter Connect contains functionality for insurers to expand their body shop network to include the 16,800 non-DRP shops throughout the United States. Mitchell said that allows work to be shifted to more cost-effective channels without using manual communications that increase inefficiencies and chances for error.
“Two important industry drivers—efficiency and cost—played a major role as Mitchell sought to improve the often slow, manual communications required when insurers work with out-of-network shops on a claim,” said Jesse Herrera, Mitchell’s senior vice president of product management and customer experience. “With RepairCenter Connect, the same tools work for any shop, allowing even low-volume and out-of-network shops to receive assignments and upload artifacts. It is part of Mitchell’s ongoing commitment to increase efficiency within the claim and repair process.”
Mitchell said shops that already use the company’s software for communication with insurance companies are able to receive assignments and upload estimates and supporting documents within their current platform. Shops that do not use Mitchell’s software are directed to a Web-based portal for assignment needs.
For more information, visit Mitchell’s website.
