Mike Schoonover, owner of Schoonover Bodyworks Inc. in St. Paul, Minn., said, "From the information provided at the ASA meeting about the Express Repair Link application and the 'open platform' concept, it appears as if Allstate's technology is aimed at creating a more efficient, paperless line of communication between adjusters and repairers."

Schoonover is a member of ASA's Collision Division Operations Committee – the committee that met with Allstate in Santa Clara – and is the chairman of its insurance subcommittee.

Hanson said, "This meeting gave me an opportunity to sit face-to-face with collision repairers who know and understand the issues so that we can learn more about what will help shops serve customers better.  It also presented the opportunity for ASA to learn more about our vendor credentialing process, better understand the need for it, and encourage shops to work though the process."

Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA Collision Division director and president of Lehman's Garage Inc. in Bloomington, Minn., said the meeting gave the committee a chance to establish open dialogue between the repairer and the insurer, which he felt was beneficial to both groups.  "Our committee would welcome future meetings with Allstate and other insurers to work toward bettering the collision repair industry and improving the relationships between the insurer and repairer.  I want to particularly compliment Allstate for adapting an open platform policy regarding a repairer's choice of estimating systems," said Amberson.

Allstate recently announced that it is moving forward with an "open platform" concept for repair facilities in its Priority Repair Option (PRO) program.  The open platform concept is designed to create efficiencies for customers and repair facilities focused on improving vehicle repair times; facilitate real-time communications including assignment updates, deductible updates and performance metrics; and provide Allstate and its customers with greater access to more detailed repair information to help ensure that facilities continue to provide an outstanding level of service.

Denise Caspersen, manager of ASA's Collision Division, said the meeting was a result of "the leadership and professionalism of the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee."