THE profusion of different collision repair estimating systems is placing a colossal financial burden on bodyshops, says the Retail Motor Industry Federation. It is now warning its members to read very carefully the small print of their agreements with insurance companies, because it claims some of the contracts are not providing enough work to pay for the information technology the contracts stipulate.

Bob Hood, RMI bodyshop services manager, said: 'Multiple estimating and video imaging systems have become a feature of the body repair industry, and that trend is set to continue unless there is co-operation between insurers to either specify the same systems or adopt common operating systems which allow systems to talk to each other. Unfortunately the bodyshop IT market is highly competitive and every system provider believes they can deliver lower operating costs to the insurance industry.'

The RMI has calculated that bodyshops have already spent more than £40 million on computerised estimating and video imaging systems, a figure it believes will increase further. The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association is seeking a common imaging standard which can be used by all bodyshops, regardless of the estimating system they use.