Allstate Asks Auto Body Facilities to Take Part in Safety-Training Program

Oil, antifreeze and paint. An auto body repair facility can create more than 200 gallons of potentially hazardous waste each year. Where do these by-products of the body shop business go?

Allstate is asking the more than 3,200 auto body repair facilities across the country that participate in its direct repair program to complete an auto body specific environmental and safety-training program. Specifically, the company is encouraging its direct repair facilities to complete the non-profit Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair’s Safety and Pollution Prevention (S/P2) training. S/P2 is an online training program that focuses on safety and environmental issues specific to the repair industry, including proper material handling and disposal.

“Allstate provides first class service to our customers. We work closely with repairers to help ensure the quality of repairs and customer service provided to our customers and claimants,” said Allstate assistant vice president for claims Jim Murray. “A clean, safe work environment is good for repairers, the community and creates an atmosphere that promotes quality and customer service.”

Murray says most auto body repair facilities are cautious and conscientious when it comes to protecting the environment, but he says Allstate is taking a stand on the environment.

In addition to basic environmental issues, Allstate said the new training can also help repairers by improving overall safety inside shops by preventing unnecessary employee illnesses, injuries and dangerous situations that could lead to fires or explosions in repair facilities.

Allstate’s new environmental training guidelines are part of an overall enhancement of the company’s DRP. Other components of the new, redesigned program include expanded quality inspections of completed repairs, new quality rankings for repairers and greater emphasis on new technology training.

More than 3,200 auto body shops around the country participate in Allstate Insurance Company’s direct repair program. The DRP includes repair facilities that have agreed to provide priority service to Allstate insurance customers and claimants. Many consumers never realize the DRP program exists, but the program reportedly helps Allstate to provide repair facility recommendations to customers and claimants after an accident and helps speed up the claims process by giving the customer a one-stop-shop for estimates and repairs that Allstate guarantees.

Allstate said it will continue to honor the choice of repair facility by customers and claimants. According to Allstate, new environmental standards strengthen the power of its referral program for those customers that request help in choosing a repair facility.