SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - January 26, 2009) - Mitchell International, Inc., a leading
provider of information, workflow, and performance management solutions to
the collision claims and repair industries, today released the first
quarter 2009 edition of its Industry Trends Report (ITR) -- the company's
quarterly publication that highlights industry-related trends, news items
and statistics.
This edition's Quarterly Feature, "The Time has Come for the Mitchell
Information Center," by Mitchell's Vice President of Industry Relations,
Greg Horn, discusses the challenge faced by repairers in an environment
where vehicle construction, equipment and repairs grow more complex with
each model year. In such an environment, insurance appraisers and collision
repair technicians alike need to quickly and easily access the information
that will give them the ability to accurately estimate and safely repair
increasingly complex vehicles.
"The most accurate and up-to-date repair data is critical," said Horn.
"Today, even the most basic repairs can require manufacturer specific
instructions and parts. Yet obtaining detailed how-to instructions is
complex, time consuming and costly
-- as is ordering correct parts for the job at hand. Without an easy,
effective way to address the repair information deficit there is a
substantial liability risk for repairers when proper repair procedures are
not followed, as well as potential loss in customer satisfaction."
Added Horn, "The growing number of hybrids on the road today is just one
example of how the collision repair environment is constantly changing and
at the same time creating corresponding pressure for repairers who need to
keep pace with the demands of the increasing technology found on today's
vehicles. And hybrids are full of these challenges."
"Many leading hybrid automakers now use advanced safety technologies, and
since this special equipment is present in more of today's vehicles, it is
increasingly appearing in collision repair shops. As part of our efforts to
support the collision repair community with the latest in estimating and
repair technologies, we developed Mitchell Information Center, which is the
solution that helps bridge the data gap for repairers by giving them a
single, easily accessed source for critical repair information."
The Mitchell Information Center can help shops and other participants in
the collision repair process to reduce cycle time by avoiding the need to
search multiple repair and parts sources. In addition, the Mitchell
Information Center provides access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date
year/make/model specific information to assist repairers in performing
repairs in a safe manner and to the customer's satisfaction.
Collision repairers who would like to learn more about Mitchell Information
Center can visit
www.mitchellinformationcenter.com for more information.
Other valuable points of interest in the current issue of Mitchell's ITR
include:
-- In Q4-2008, the average initial gross appraisal value for
Comprehensive losses processed through Mitchell servers was $2,423, an
increase of $56. Applying the prescribed 3% development factor yields an
anticipated final comprehensive severity figure of $2,497.
-- The initial average appraisal value, as calculated by combining data
from all first- and third-party repairable vehicle appraisals uploaded
through Mitchell systems in Q4-2008 was $2,556, $10 less than the previous
year's Q4-2007 appraisal average of $2,566. Applying the prescribed
development factor of 2.3% produces an anticipated average appraisal value
of $2,615.
Complete content is available in the latest Industry Trends Report, which
may be downloaded in PDF format by visiting
www.mitchell.com. First
published in April 2001, Mitchell's Trends Report has grown in both content
and circulation, now reaching more than 23,000 collision and casualty
industry professionals.
About Mitchell International, Inc.
Mitchell International (
www.mitchell.com) is a leading provider of
information, workflow, performance management, workers' compensation and
medical bill review solutions to the property and casualty insurance claims
and collision repair industries. Mitchell facilitates millions of
electronic transactions between more than 25,000 business partners each
month to enhance their productivity, profitability, and customer
satisfaction levels.
Contact Information: Contacts:
Jennifer Forman
Sr. Director, Marketing
800-854-7030
or
Kam Hashim
Boston Communications
617-292-7316