According to event organizers, the May 25 Montreal CCIF meeting produced a number of important outcomes, including consensus among industry stakeholders of all stripes and sizes.
Major competitors from varied sectors such as collision repair and insurance rubbed elbows and shared microphones as they tackled important issues impacting all industry stakeholders. This next-level cooperation and collaboration was a CCIF first, as were the 400 registered participants, which can be directly attributed to nearly 20 years of communication and collaboration.
Discussing Fraud
Pitched as the highlight of the event, a panel discussion between four Canadian insurance industry executives produced lively and engaging discussions between the four competing company representatives.
The discussion revolved around media reports regarding the fraudulent activities uncovered by AVIVA in the GTA area, moderated by CCIF President Patrice Marcil.
All four experts agreed that this disastrous outcome is not an accurate representation of the Canadian collision and insurance industries as a whole. The panellists also agreed that collision industry stakeholders must collaborate to rebuild consumer confidence as a result of the damaging news report. It starts by making sure that stakeholders at every level denounce fraudulent activities susceptible of undermining consumer confidence and raising insurance premiums. The results of this panel discussion alone were conducive to increase the level of engagement of CCIF members.
Competing Interests
The event started off on a strong note with a panel discussion moderated by Mario Tremblay, President of MJA Consulting Services. Panel members included Fix Auto Quebec General Manager, Yves Roy; CARSTAR Quebec Regional Director, Yves Robichaud; Carrossier ProColor Network General Manager, Sylvain Dufault, and CarrXpert Business Development Manager, Denis Barrette.
The four competing Quebec-based collision repair network consolidators discussed issues revolving around collision repair shop administrative and production best practices. The main takeaway on which they all agreed: operational excellence building towards a future when nothing will be left to chance.
Panel members stressed the importance of clear production area and administrative shop evaluation criteria as being the key to a bright future, where clear ground rules will lead to standardized performance evaluations and continuous improvement initiatives to help shops through these turbulent times.
Reaping the Rewards
“This meeting event marks a first, as we’ve succeeded in reuniting four major competitors on the same stage,” proudly stated CCIF Chairman, Patrice Marcil. “These participants didn’t come here to represent the views of their respective companies, they’re here as industry members with complimentary viewpoints.”
“CCIF will turn 20 next year,” he pointed out. “We’ve succeeded in creating an environment conducive to open dialogue, which is eloquently illustrated by an impressive showing of insurers at this meeting. This is the result of 20 years of hard work and good will. These participants have willingly invested their time for the greater good of the industry.”
Training and Technology
The 2018 CCIF Montreal agenda was elaborated around pressing issues, including a training component in the form of an I-CAR Canada update regarding the newest training programs, presented by Caroline Lacasse.
Ryan Mendell, Mitchell Canada Director of Claim Performance, hosted a new technologies presentation where his expertise helped guide the audience as he covered complex issues in the fields of connectivity, artificial intelligence and the latest concept to gain traction in the fast-paced world of IT—blockchain, which aims to open a new era of relatively safe, reliable, fast transmission of data.
These pictures provide an overview of the 2018 CCIF Montreal event:
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