When a vehicle is damaged and a PDA estimator manages the repair process, they work as an objective third party to ensure costly details are not overlooked. Many times this occurs through APU, instead of using original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts. Alternative parts choices may include aftermarket replacement, reconditioned and recycled parts. From 2010 to 2015, PDA’s improvement in using APU has resulted in a collective savings of over $290,000,000.
According to The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, non-OEM parts (or APU) saved consumers more than $2.2 billion in insurance costs in 2010. Also, aftermarket parts are 26 to 50 percent less expensive than parts made by OEMs and often have longer warranties.
“When we can help insurance companies keep premiums down, we know that we’re providing the best service possible,”said Tom Dolfay, CEO of PDA. “At PDA we like to call our philosophy ‘smarter estimating.’Although it seems intuitive and quite logical, not all companies emphasize saving their clients money. We understand the value PDA brings to the table, and we require our team to create more efficiency in the repair process for our customers.”
The refinishing process can also be costly and, if not managed correctly, add extra expenses to the overall cost of an appraisal. PDA estimators work as a liaison between insurance carriers, third party administrators (TPA), fleet administrators and body shops to accurately assess the paint materials and labor essential to refinish the vehicle properly.
For example, any time a vehicle is damaged and needs repainting, the repair shop should only refinish damaged panels and take the time to match and prepare the panels to ensure a proper repair. Many panels with minor damage can be refinished by blending within the panel, therefore reducing time spent and materials used, while still producing a quality repair. In instances like these, PDA estimators are there to ensure clients pay what they owe to properly repair the vehicle.
During the same five-year period, through PDA’s refinish expertise and quality standards, the cumulative refinish dollars savings for clients exceeded $40,000,000.
“These results are a direct outcome of meeting and exceeding our business objectives to improve estimate quality, ultimately resulting in cost savings,” said Ken Loose, COO of PDA. “This means that insurance companies pay what they owe – no more, no less.”
To learn more about how PDA uses smarter estimating to save clients money, visit http://www.pdacorporation.com.
