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The Database Task Force (DTF) announced that CCC has reintroduced the “Bumper Refinish Prompt” in the Pathways 4.5 release despite a multi-year effort involving discussions, data gathering and arguments, in an effort to convince CCC that their estimating system bumper refinish prompt was in direct conflict with paint manufacturer approved refinish procedures.
The DTF, comprised of representatives from the Alliance of Automotive Service Professionals (AASP), the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), said in a press release that is was “shocked and disheartened to learn of this most recent reversal. Interestingly, after literally years of discussions and the Task Force providing documentation, coordinating meetings with all the paint manufacturers, as well as providing accolades publicly for CCC ‘doing the right thing,’ they elected to ‘forget’ to discuss the change in direction with the Database Task Force prior to implementing the change.”
The DTF says that documentation the Task Force has received subsequently shows that at least one major insurer was fully apprised of the proposed changes at least 60 days in advance of the release. In fact, this major insurer drafted instructions (including screen shots), and distributed them, on how they want their “Repair Partners” to set the default in their systems (regardless of how repairers perform the actual repairs).
During a CIC meeting at NACE 2007, the following statement was publicly read by Bruce Yungkans representing CCC, to the audience: “Based on some documented and very compelling and convincing new information to us, we’ve been able to determine unequivocally that…refinishing non-metallic bumpers require use of a material that is not recommended on the rest of the vehicle.”
Following that, Yungkans also stated that CCC would, “as soon as practical,” change its estimating system to ensure “the refinish overlap between bumpers and other parts refinished on the vehicle will not be applied” and that “clearcoat refinish labor and material that is applied to the bumper will not be included in the calculation of any pre-defined clearcoat caps.”
