Summit’s Help I Crashed My Car™ website and My Marketplace™ software combine to create an integrated patent-pending technology platform to help body shops retain customers and capture new repair opportunities, while streamlining the auto collision repair process for consumers.
Helpicrashedmycar.com is a consumer-focused website that has five mobile phone applications consumers can download use for free. These can be utilized immediately when involved in a traffic accident. Supporting Help I Crashed My Car is Summit’s My Marketplace, a web-based sales, marketing, advertising customer service and communication platform to promote the automotive collision industry. Together, these integrated mobile and web-based technology solutions provide collision repair shops with a tool designed to increase sales, improve customer service and boost customer retention and loyalty.
“We see Help I Crashed My Car and Marketplace as great tools for our A-Plus Network members,” said Troy Neuerburg, manager of Marketing Business Services at Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. “Collision repairers can own an exclusive marketing position on a consumer’s smart phone 24/7, and receive a first notice of loss directly from the consumer that includes a map and location of the accident. The special arrangement we have with Summit provides our members with an annual discount to be part of this program.”
For consumers, Help I Crashed My Car features an auto accident emergency phone app with a single ‘help’ button that automatically dials one number and sends text or e-mail messages with accident details to five other people and/or companies selected by the user. The consumer can enter and store emergency contact information, insurance company, policy and agent data, as well as pertinent vehicle information, all in their phone. They can also immediately locate and select a single body shop as their preferred repairer; review and contact the closest body shops, towing companies, police, hospitals, EMS and rental car companies through GPS. In addition, they can enter, store and send a basic accident report, as well as take, attach and send accident photos; and access information about what to do in case of an accident.
“Help I Crashed My Car and Marketplace give collision repairers a sales and marketing presence with the consumer at the point of sale – at the scene of an accident,” said Frank Terlep, president and founder of Summit Software Solutions. “We believe consumer adoption of this new technology will drive adoption within the collision repair industry. I can’t imagine any car driver with a smart phone not wanting to download this free accident emergency phone app.”
Under agreement with Summit, Sherwin-Williams A-Plus Network members can provide an unlimited number of phone applications free of charge to previous and potential customers, auto dealerships, auto insurance agents, local schools and businesses. These mobile phone applications are designed for the iPhone™, BlackBerry®, Windows mobile®, Palm® and Android® operating systems.
The A-Plus Network is made up of an exclusive group of collision repair specialists who reflect the industry’s highest standards. Members have benefited from the program’s many business-building opportunities including: business management training through A-Plus™ University workshops; building insurance relationships by offering continuing education training to insurance agents; loyalty rewards points; marketing programs and Vision Group participation. There are also great benefits from an outstanding list of third-party contributors like Summit Software Solutions.
For more information about the Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes A-Plus Network, its features, advantages and benefits visit www.sherwin- automotive.com; or call the A-Plus Network Hotline at 1-800- -386-3881.
For more information about Summit’s ‘Help I Crashed My Car’ digital marketing platform, visit www.su mmitsoftwaresolutions.com.
