ADP Claims Solutions Group Reaches Agreement with Audio Claims Solutions

2 July 1999

ADP Claims Solutions Group Reaches Agreement with Audio Claims Solutions to Create Service for Car Audio Replacement

    SAN RAMON, Calif.--July 2, 1999--ADP Claims Solutions Group (CSG), the leading provider of information services for automotive insurance claims management, and Audio Claims Solutions (ACS), the leading provider of estimating and locator products for aftermarket car audio replacement, have agreed to form a strategic alliance through which ACS systems and services will be made available to ADP CSG clients.
    ACS's flagship product, Car Audio Replacement System (CARS), enables insurers and collision repairers to find the most appropriate replacement for damaged or stolen car audio equipment, simply by using their computer and without making a phone call.
    ADP CSG will begin distributing CARS to insurance carriers and collision repair shops nationwide, allowing ADP CSG clients to experience a significantly improved estimating process.
    "There are currently more than 2 million audio-related claims per year," said James Boswell, vice president and general manager of the Collision Repair Services division at San Ramon-based ADP CSG.
    "The majority of these claims are settled using telephone calls and substantial clerical effort, which often results in a protracted settlement process and frequently the incorrect replacement system. This alliance with ACS will allow us to provide insurers and automotive repairers with an efficient and automated solution."
    For the past 12 years, ACS has been using the CARS database to track each component model by its features and match it with a newer model of equal features. The direct replacement is determined by matching the available information -- such as brand and model -- with the current technology to determine the best replacement at the most advantageous replacement price.
    CARS is capable of tracking a direct audio replacement for more than 300 car audio manufacturers dating back to 1987.
    "Our relationship with ADP CSG is a significant one for the audio claims processing industry," said Jeff Donovan, founder and chief executive officer of ACS. "By working together, we will provide the most complete, accurate and timely solutions for audio claims replacement needs to the insurance industry."
    ADP Claims Solutions Group, with headquarters in San Ramon, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP). ADP, with $5 billion in revenue and more than 425,000 clients, is one of the largest independent computer services firms in the world.
    ADP CSG provides the property & casualty insurance industry and their business partners with integrated and independent information services for automotive, medical and property claims management in 22 countries. ADP Claims Solutions Group is located at 2010 Crow Canyon Place, San Ramon, Calif. 94583; 925/866-1100. The company's Web site can be found at http://www.csg.adp.com.
    With its First Choice Replacement operation, ACS has more than 12 years of experience providing audio theft claims replacement services through its own stores as well as the network of 7,000 independent car audio shops across the country. ACS is a privately held company with headquarters in Salt Lake City.