State Farm Independent Auto Exam
Select Service Program - Answer-In some market areas, repairers have been selected to participate in
State Farm's Select Service Program. The program is designed to enhance claim service, increase
efficiency, and afford customers an opportunity to select qualified repairers to inspect and estimate
vehicle damage
Paintless Dent repair - Answer-Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an industry recognized repair process that
involves the removal of hail dents or other types of damage from metal exterior surface panels without
disturbing the vehicle's finish. In most cases, this procedure involves the use of specialized tools to apply
pressure to the backside of the panel to remove surface imperfections. Other techniques may be used
to repair damage from the topside of the panel, depending on the size and location of the damage.
By using either of these techniques, the technician is able to restore panel appearance
which eliminates the need for refinishing the panel's surface area. The PDR process is often used to
repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an
object that has not compromised the finish of the panel. Since the outer finish of the panel has not been
disturbed, it eliminates the refinishing process
and may allow for repairs to be completed in a more timely and cost effective manner.
Determining Repair Costs - Answer-The prices we pay for most repair operations will be determined
from printed or electronic
, collision estimating guides and repair facility survey results. However, it is not possible to
determine the cost of every repair operation from these sources. For example, when estimating a sheet
metal
or other repair operation, the labor estimate is based on judgment time. When estimating judgment
time, it should follow what is competitive in the local market to repair the vehicle in a quality manner.
Estimats are based on - Answer-Estimates written or approved by
State Farm are based on labor rates and repair costs not to exceed what is charged by a majority of the
repair market in a given area.
Contracts with repairers - Answer-We do not enter into contracts with repairers on individual repair
jobs on a fixed or "contract" repair job basis. We pay for the estimated cost of repair based on physical
damage caused as a
result of the loss.
Freight Charges - Answer-Similarly, if freight charges are submitted to State Farm for payment, payment
should normally be resisted. Freight charges are not considered as part of actual repair costs and are
generally aligned with an expense a repairer or dealership may incur as a result of operating the repair
facility business. If a circumstance arises that may warrant additional consideration, local management
should contact their assigned Estimatics consultant.
Minimum Cost - Answer-Establishing minimum costs or authority levels can provide a realistic measure
of repair costs for items such as the number of hours allowed for a complete refinish job, material costs,
or similar items.
Publication of survey information - Answer-We will not knowingly violate that confidentiality by
publicizing individual
survey data to persons outside our organization
Claims Summary - Answer-State Farm will pay claims based upon reasonable, competitive prices for
repairs necessary to
Select Service Program - Answer-In some market areas, repairers have been selected to participate in
State Farm's Select Service Program. The program is designed to enhance claim service, increase
efficiency, and afford customers an opportunity to select qualified repairers to inspect and estimate
vehicle damage
Paintless Dent repair - Answer-Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an industry recognized repair process that
involves the removal of hail dents or other types of damage from metal exterior surface panels without
disturbing the vehicle's finish. In most cases, this procedure involves the use of specialized tools to apply
pressure to the backside of the panel to remove surface imperfections. Other techniques may be used
to repair damage from the topside of the panel, depending on the size and location of the damage.
By using either of these techniques, the technician is able to restore panel appearance
which eliminates the need for refinishing the panel's surface area. The PDR process is often used to
repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an
object that has not compromised the finish of the panel. Since the outer finish of the panel has not been
disturbed, it eliminates the refinishing process
and may allow for repairs to be completed in a more timely and cost effective manner.
Determining Repair Costs - Answer-The prices we pay for most repair operations will be determined
from printed or electronic
, collision estimating guides and repair facility survey results. However, it is not possible to
determine the cost of every repair operation from these sources. For example, when estimating a sheet
metal
or other repair operation, the labor estimate is based on judgment time. When estimating judgment
time, it should follow what is competitive in the local market to repair the vehicle in a quality manner.
Estimats are based on - Answer-Estimates written or approved by
State Farm are based on labor rates and repair costs not to exceed what is charged by a majority of the
repair market in a given area.
Contracts with repairers - Answer-We do not enter into contracts with repairers on individual repair
jobs on a fixed or "contract" repair job basis. We pay for the estimated cost of repair based on physical
damage caused as a
result of the loss.
Freight Charges - Answer-Similarly, if freight charges are submitted to State Farm for payment, payment
should normally be resisted. Freight charges are not considered as part of actual repair costs and are
generally aligned with an expense a repairer or dealership may incur as a result of operating the repair
facility business. If a circumstance arises that may warrant additional consideration, local management
should contact their assigned Estimatics consultant.
Minimum Cost - Answer-Establishing minimum costs or authority levels can provide a realistic measure
of repair costs for items such as the number of hours allowed for a complete refinish job, material costs,
or similar items.
Publication of survey information - Answer-We will not knowingly violate that confidentiality by
publicizing individual
survey data to persons outside our organization
Claims Summary - Answer-State Farm will pay claims based upon reasonable, competitive prices for
repairs necessary to
