By Mark Fincher, Vice President, Product Management
It seems that everywhere we look these days, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of the conversation. By now, you know that AI isn’t some far-off concept waiting to disrupt the collision repair industry—it’s already here.
Shops are taking advantage of AI-driven tools to streamline time-consuming processes, reduce errors, and free up staff to focus on what matters most: fixing cars and keeping customers happy. Those are things that AI can’t do!
If you’ve wondered if or how AI can fit into your day-to-day workflow, we have some tips to help you get started working smarter, not harder:
1. Write Estimates in Seconds
We launched CCC Mobile over a decade ago as an included feature with CCC Estimating. It allowed estimators to scan the VIN, capture photos enter customer information and over time has enabled workers across the shop to do much more. But the first question we would always get when talking about mobile is “when can I write an estimate on my phone?” The answer is not just “now”, the answer is “for the past two years!”
But we didn’t just put estimating as a new feature in CCC Mobile, we supercharged it with AI. With (7) vehicle damage photos, the AI can identify damaged panels, suggest preliminary repair lines, and prepopulate an estimate. The estimator is critical to the process to validate the suggested lines and adjust any details. This tool reduces the time it takes to create a first draft, helping you serve customers faster and keep vehicles moving through your pipeline.
With millions of estimates now written using AI we see, on average, the AI writing 82% of the final estimate amount in under 80 seconds!
Think of it as an estimator’s assistant that creates the foundation, so estimators can focus on the complexity of the repair with enhanced accuracy and customer service rather than spending 20 to 30 minutes combing through parts and procedures.
“Using Mobile Jumpstart helped us capture a job on the spot when a customer saw how we used technology in our processes.” - Chris Soria, Cascade Auto Center Collision Repair, Wenatchee, WA
2. Convert Tire Kickers into Customers
We’ve all encountered the customer who just wants to know, “What will this cost me?” without committing to a repair. These inquiries can eat up valuable time, especially when your estimators are juggling active repair jobs. AI offers a smarter way to handle these situations, before they even get to your shop.
With repair cost predictor tools included with CCC® Engage, customers can upload photos of their vehicle damage, and the AI will give them a ballpark range of what the repair MAY cost. It’s not a line-by-line estimate, but enough information to help them decide if they want to move forward or if they want to file a claim with their carrier. It also helps to level-set expectations for consumers, who may have an unrealistic idea about how much repairs can cost since they may not have been in this situation for a few years.
It’s a great way to cut down on “tire-kickers” so your team can focus on jobs that are most likely to convert into revenue.
3. Using AI in your record-keeping
Every shop owner or manager knows the frustration of reconciling invoices. Comparing line items, catching errors, and ensuring everything matches an RO is tedious work—and mistakes can be costly. A forthcoming AI tool from CCC is turning this process on its head, and ALL CCC ONE customers will have access to it at no extra cost.
With mobile invoice scanning in the CCC ONE Mobile App, shops will be able to snap a photo of a parts invoice from their phone or tablet. CCC ONE instantly digitizes the information, matches it against the original estimate or repair order, and flags discrepancies in real time. Instead of sorting through stacks of paper or retyping data, your team will have immediate visibility and fewer headaches. This means faster parts reconciliation, more accurate records, and less time tied up in back-office paperwork.
This feature will be live in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for additional communications and instructions on how to use it.
The Bottom Line: AI is Here to Help, Not Replace
AI in collision repair isn’t about replacing people—it’s about empowering them. Humans will always play the central role in the repair process, from diagnosing complex structural issues to driving quality and safety. But AI can make your day-to-day operations smoother by eliminating manual tasks, accelerating estimate creation, and improving customer interactions.
The collision repair industry is competitive, and shops that embrace these tools now will have an edge in efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. By letting AI handle the grunt work, your team can spend more time on what really matters: repairing vehicles, building trust, and growing your business.
By Mark Fincher, Vice President, Product Management
It seems that everywhere we look these days, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is part of the conversation. By now, you know that AI isn’t some far-off concept waiting to disrupt the collision repair industry—it’s already here.
Shops are taking advantage of AI-driven tools to streamline time-consuming processes, reduce errors, and free up staff to focus on what matters most: fixing cars and keeping customers happy. Those are things that AI can’t do!
If you’ve wondered if or how AI can fit into your day-to-day workflow, we have some tips to help you get started working smarter, not harder:
1. Write Estimates in Seconds
We launched CCC Mobile over a decade ago as an included feature with CCC Estimating. It allowed estimators to scan the VIN, capture photos enter customer information and over time has enabled workers across the shop to do much more. But the first question we would always get when talking about mobile is “when can I write an estimate on my phone?” The answer is not just “now”, the answer is “for the past two years!”
But we didn’t just put estimating as a new feature in CCC Mobile, we supercharged it with AI. With (7) vehicle damage photos, the AI can identify damaged panels, suggest preliminary repair lines, and prepopulate an estimate. The estimator is critical to the process to validate the suggested lines and adjust any details. This tool reduces the time it takes to create a first draft, helping you serve customers faster and keep vehicles moving through your pipeline.
With millions of estimates now written using AI we see, on average, the AI writing 82% of the final estimate amount in under 80 seconds!
Think of it as an estimator’s assistant that creates the foundation, so estimators can focus on the complexity of the repair with enhanced accuracy and customer service rather than spending 20 to 30 minutes combing through parts and procedures.
“Using Mobile Jumpstart helped us capture a job on the spot when a customer saw how we used technology in our processes.” - Chris Soria, Cascade Auto Center Collision Repair, Wenatchee, WA
2. Convert Tire Kickers into Customers
We’ve all encountered the customer who just wants to know, “What will this cost me?” without committing to a repair. These inquiries can eat up valuable time, especially when your estimators are juggling active repair jobs. AI offers a smarter way to handle these situations, before they even get to your shop.
With repair cost predictor tools included with CCC® Engage, customers can upload photos of their vehicle damage, and the AI will give them a ballpark range of what the repair MAY cost. It’s not a line-by-line estimate, but enough information to help them decide if they want to move forward or if they want to file a claim with their carrier. It also helps to level-set expectations for consumers, who may have an unrealistic idea about how much repairs can cost since they may not have been in this situation for a few years.
It’s a great way to cut down on “tire-kickers” so your team can focus on jobs that are most likely to convert into revenue.
3. Using AI in your record-keeping
Every shop owner or manager knows the frustration of reconciling invoices. Comparing line items, catching errors, and ensuring everything matches an RO is tedious work—and mistakes can be costly. A forthcoming AI tool from CCC is turning this process on its head, and ALL CCC ONE customers will have access to it at no extra cost.
With mobile invoice scanning in the CCC ONE Mobile App, shops will be able to snap a photo of a parts invoice from their phone or tablet. CCC ONE instantly digitizes the information, matches it against the original estimate or repair order, and flags discrepancies in real time. Instead of sorting through stacks of paper or retyping data, your team will have immediate visibility and fewer headaches. This means faster parts reconciliation, more accurate records, and less time tied up in back-office paperwork.
This feature will be live in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for additional communications and instructions on how to use it.
The Bottom Line: AI is Here to Help, Not Replace
AI in collision repair isn’t about replacing people—it’s about empowering them. Humans will always play the central role in the repair process, from diagnosing complex structural issues to driving quality and safety. But AI can make your day-to-day operations smoother by eliminating manual tasks, accelerating estimate creation, and improving customer interactions.
The collision repair industry is competitive, and shops that embrace these tools now will have an edge in efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. By letting AI handle the grunt work, your team can spend more time on what really matters: repairing vehicles, building trust, and growing your business.
