Collision Repair in Cyberspace
29 November 1999
Collision Repair in Cyberspace; EDS, First Priority Group Team to Bring Vehicle Repair Management to The InternetPLANO, Texas, Nov. 29 -- Getting your car or truck repaired quickly and correctly after a wreck will become easier for both consumers and their insurance companies through the world's first Internet-based collision repair management program, being launched by EDS and First Priority Group Inc. . Through a new Web site jointly developed and operated by EDS and FPG -- http://www.driversshield.com -- insurance companies will receive nationwide, Web- based, collision repair management services that will revolutionize the way collision claims and repairs are handled in the $30 billion collision repair marketplace. Through the site, both insurance company representatives and vehicle owners will be able to schedule work at the collision repair shop, arrange for a rental vehicle and interact with the repair facility via the Internet. Further enhancements already are being planned that will expand the capabilities and conveniences that driversshield.com will provide to consumers, insurance carriers and repair facilities. "driversshield.com equips insurance companies and collision repair shops to serve their clients in a way never before possible," said Barry Siegel, CEO of driversshield.com and parent company FPG. "The level of service and benefits that will be derived from using driversshield.com will be unsurpassed by anything available in our industry. EDS' Web development talent, electronic business capabilities and experience in delivering insurance related services are world renowned. We believe driversshield.com will undoubtedly and quickly become the mainstream method for collision repair management." Insurance companies pay the majority of the nation's collision repair bills. As a result, these firms are seeking a better, faster, friendlier and more efficient system of repairing collision damage to the vehicles they insure, as well as strengthening their customer loyalty. Under the terms of the relationship, FPG and EDS will use the business-to-business power of the Internet -- the fastest growing aspect of Internet -- to make driversshield.com the nation's leader in the provision of collision repair management. In fact, introduction of driversshield.com marks one of the most significant changes in the insurance claims process since the birth of the industry in the early 1900s. "Using the Internet to transform businesses is the rallying cry of EDS," said Brad Rucker, executive director of the E.solutions Internet practice at EDS. "driversshield.com will deliver a world class solution to the long- standing problem of having to deal with all the frustrations of effecting collision repairs." The driversshield.com Web site will be ready for processing of client claims in early December, and several insurance companies already have indicated interest in utilizing services provided by the site. About EDS EDS, a leader in the global information technology services industry for more than 35 years, delivers management consulting, electronic business solutions, and systems and technology expertise to improve the performance of more than 9,000 business and government clients in over 50 countries. EDS reported revenues of $16.9 billion in 1998. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Visit EDS via the Internet at http://www.eds.com. About First Priority Group Since its founding in 1983, First Priority Group has built a national reputation for efficient, cost-saving management of collision claims for self- insured corporate and municipal vehicle fleets. Clients include Coca-Cola, Time Warner, IBM, Hershey Foods and many other prominent corporations. Through its affinity auto club programs, FPG and its subsidiaries have established relationships with The Assurant Group, formerly American Bankers Insurance Group, Providian Bank and other prestigious credit card and financial organizations. CONTACT: Blake Lewis of Electronic Data Systems Corporation, 972-605-7861, or email, blaked.lewis@eds.com; or Barry Siegel of First Priority Group Inc., 516-694-1010, X251, or email, bsiegel@firstprioritygroup.com.