Car Sharing – DAMAGE iD Blog

May 24, 2023June 15, 2023

DAMAGE iD integrated with Cars Plus+

WHY is it so exciting and beneficial that DAMAGE iD has integrated with Thermeon’s Cars Plus+?

This integration will allow users to use the DAMAGE iD App to inspect rental vehicles before and after check-out and check-in using the same Booking ID or Rental Agreement Number from your RMS.

The Renter will automatically receive an email with all the photos and the inspection report, which can be customized with your company logo.

All vehicle inspections, damages, reports will be organized in DAMAGE iD Web Portal.

Your rental vehicles will be synced between RMS and DAMAGE iD automatically making for a fluid and user-friendly experience. Thank you Cars+🙌

P.S. we’ve already started rolling out the integration to our customers!

January 10, 2022January 11, 2022

With New Templates, DAMAGE iD Can Help Sell your Vehicle!

Over the years, we’ve heard many customers say “since we take so many photos and videos with DAMAGE iD, could we use those photos when it’s time to sell vehicles in our fleet?”

So… today we launched “Photo/Video Templates”!!

“Photo templates” gives you nearly unlimited ways to capture photos of anything. No longer are you constrained to the “standard photos” in DAMAGE iD.

To start, go to the Review Portal. Then Settings ⇾ Photo/Templates.

Fill out the labels you want for your template. You can choose up to 47 labels!

Remember, both video and photos can be used for each position you choose.

Save the template.

Now go to the DAMAGE iD app. Log out (Click “Gear” or Settings icon to logout). Then log back in. Your new photo template will appear beneath the license plate field.

Your new template will appear beneath the license plate field.

Click “Take Photos”. Viola!

Your new photo template appears.

This adds a lot of flexibility to how you can use DAMAGE iD! For example, you can take pictures that conform to a vehicle sales software or website. Or you could inspect some portion of fleet entirely different from our “legacy” photo set such as tires… or the appearance of your front office (keep it clean and tidy please)!

Photo Templates are available on DAMAGE iD version 4.2 r67 (and above).

Let us know how you are using Photo Templates!

Let’s have a wonderful 2022 together. Happy New Years!

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020

? We just Launched VIN Scanner for IOS in DAMAGE iD Version 3.3 ║█║

Today we launched DAMAGE iD version 3.3 for iPhone and iPad.

In this release, we’ve added the VIN scanner which has been available on Android for a few months now.

Now you can identify vehicles in 3 different ways:

Unit Number
License Plate
VIN

This gives rental agencies, DSPs and transporters even more flexibility when using DAMAGE iD to identify and track vehicle damage.

You can see the VIN scanner in the screenshots below.

After logging in, click the bar code to the right of the “unit number” input field when checking out your vehicle.

The VIN scanner appears. Hover the red line over the bar code for a few seconds and the VIN will be captured.

PRO TIP: Use the flashlight in case the light is low.

The vin scanner appears. Hover over red line over the bar code for a few seconds and the VIN will be captured. p.s. Use the flashlight in case the light is low.

Once the VIN is captured, the “Checkout” is automatically submitted. You can now begin your walk-around, photographing and taking videos, building your permanent digital archive of your vehicles’ condition.

We have done 2 DAMAGE iD releases for IOS in the past month. With these releases we are happy to (finally) be achieving “feature parity” with Android. Now both Android and IOS have nearly the same features.

Keep your eyes out for more updates and announcements soon. We are still moving ahead quickly with DAMAGE iD and have some great things in store this summer.

Contact the “A-Team” with any questions or problems with the VIN scanner.

March 19, 2019October 3, 2019

How to sell CDW to Hesitant Customers

How to Sell CDW to Jack (the Risk Taker)
– Emphasize the “Standard Procedure”
– Jack may be thinking that if he damages the vehicle, he’ll get away before anyone notices. Jack is a BlackJack type of guy after all!
Jack is thinking that chances are in his favor can rush out before anyone notices, either by creating “cover” or feigning urgency. For this type of personality, you’ll want to let Jack know that a complete & thorough review is built into the process. Emphasize that reviewing the previous photos is an important and built-in step of the rental process, and cannot be skipped. Let Jack know he won’t be able to leave before the vehicle is completely checked over, and hold some collateral (such as a credit card number or license) to let him know he can’t run off.
If you are using DAMAGE iD, you can review the previous photos before taking new ones – right on the app. If the customer seems like they are in a big rush, visually inspect the vehicle, and use the photo review to compare with old photos. With DAMAGE iD, agents can always take photos after the customer leaves.
– Show Empathy Jack may be a risk-taker, but he has a big heart. Let them know that vehicle damage is expensive – especially for smaller rental agencies or those with lower rates. Tell a story about an difficult situation where a customer got away without paying for damage, and emphasize how that hurts employees and customers in the long-run (due to higher rental charges).
A story from VERC car rentals is Boston is a great example. A few years ago, a customer switched rims and tires on a rental car to hide damage that had occurred. They had replaced the rims and tires with a much less expensive version. Fortunately, VERC was using DAMAGE iD and had photographic proof of the fraudulent activity.
How to Sell CDW to Paula (the Conservative)
– Use Repetition Paula likes to play it safe. Emphasize the peace of mind Let Paula know that the best way to prevent unexpected expenses is to purchase CDW. But also let her know that the vehicle condition is carefully documented at time of checkout, and return. She won’t be charged for damage which isn’t hers, but any new damage will be charged to the customer unless CDW is purchased.
– Show You are Concerned about the Details Point out minor nicks with your finger. Spend a little time on each spot. Show you are concerned about the vehicle condition at every level.

With patience, they may BOTH be happy with purchasing the CDW!!!

March 4, 2019October 3, 2019

New Innovations Continue

DAMAGE iD Continues to Innovate in 2019!

Welcome 2019!

The DAMAGE iD development team has made new Upgrades and Innovations for the World’s Leading Vehicle Damage identification Solution.

Charlie Dalsass, software engineer for DAMAGE iD continues to make the changes required to follow the product road-map.

The long-term road-map for the product includes:

The ability to accommodate a wider variety of of vehicles and fleets. Whether it be for a Fleet Transportation System, a Motor Home or Camper rental, Rental Car Company, Amazon delivery Service, or any business or Municipality with a Shared Fleet.
The ability to manage the entire experience on the device or tablet. No need for the “backend” (desktop) system. For example, the latest Android Upgrade, version 2.2 will incorporate VIN Barcode Scanning to quickly and accurately identify the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been scanned, you can ADD the vehicle with a single click. There is no longer any need to visit the “back end” to add cars to your fleet!

Vehicle Transporters, for example, require the ability to scan and add a new vehicle because they do not typically have a fixed vehicle inventory. This opens up DAMAGE iD to a much wider category of customers.

Other recent Upgrades include the ability for the Agent to “Flag” or Mark Damage as pre-existing in order to alleviate Customer confusion as to when the Damage actually occurred. This strategy greatly improves customer satisfaction.

Another Customer Satisfaction improvement is viewing the Outgoing Images upon the Return of the Rental. Pictures don’t lie. And date and time-stamped images allow for NO questions when it comes to the condition of the vehicle at the time of the Rental Agreement.

This feature is now available on BOTH IOS and Android (versions 2.0+). DAMAGE iD is here to be THE Award-winning, Global Solution to solve your needs of identifying and documenting the previous and New Damage on your Vehicle. We are so excited about what the DAMAGE iD A-Team comes up with next!!

February 12, 2019October 3, 2019

How Auto Transporters can Protect Against False Damage Claims

DAMAGE iD, the software system which accurately documents the pre and post condition of your auto or other vehicle, is now ready for the Transporter. How is that? DAMAGE iD now has the ability to upload the vehicle’s vin number into the system for immediate retrieval and storage.

Any “Smart” device will do, Apple or Android.

Step One: Go to Google Playstore or Apple store and download DAMAGE iD.

Step Two: Contact DAMAGE iD to obtain a Username and Password

Step Three: Open the App, type in Last 6 digits of the Vin or the License plate, and START TAKING PICTURES!!

It’s THAT EASY.

Once arrived at the drop-off destination, “return” photos may be taken with the date and time-stamped directly on the image to prove the post-condition of the vehicle.

DAMAGE iD knows this simple and accurate system will alleviate any disputes with the car dealership or dispatcher in transportation. It has been proven to work every time. Insurance Companies appreciate these irrefutable images as well.

Give DAMAGE iD a look.

February 12, 2019October 3, 2019

DAMAGE iD brings Integrity to the Car Rental/Sharing Space

DAMAGEid is a mobile App, both Android and IOS compatible that was created through Extension Engine, an innovation lab connected to Harvard and M.I.T. Universities. It was launched April 2014 at the International Car Rental Show in LasVegas receiving a lot of “buzz”.

Founder and visionary, Jack Vercollone, owner of independent car rental company, Verc Car Rental with 6 locations on the SouthShore of Massachusetts, Marshfield, Plymouth, Quincy, Middleboro, Rockland and Weymouth, experience the problem of losing money from uncollected damage on his rental fleet.

Revenue was lost in gas charges, CDW sales and small damage claims. Jack brought this problem to Extension Engine and together, they created DAMAGE ID a cloud-based technology solution to replace the inaccurate, subjective, paper and pencil walk-around inspection.

DAMAGE ID provides a condition reporting system for the car rental/sharing industry that is excellent in its simplicity. The property owner downloads DAMAGE ID in his/her device whether Apple or Android, signs in with their own username and password, and is offered 7 visual prompts, including a silhouette for easy following, to begin the documentation process. As well as these 7 prompts, DAMAGE ID offers as many as 5 additional photos of whatever the user needs.

DAMAGE ID targets the independent Car Rental Market, but could easily be integrated with other systems due to its API. Currently, the owners of DAMAGE ID have been in discussion with Avis/Budget, Advantage-Ezee Car and Dollar/Thrifty. DAMAGE ID could also be attached to the car sharing space with companies such as Zip Car ( owned by Avis) or Turo or any other car sharing platform.

In addition to car rental companies, DAMAGE ID could be used for ANY rental products such as boats, bicycles, skiis, motor homes, trucks. Individual users could benefit from DAMAGE ID, as well. Once the individual renter downloads DAMAGE ID he/she could photo their borrowed/shared property with the date and time stamped on the image. The high-definition image would be stored in the cloud for easy retrieval. When the rented or shared product was returned, the renter would take another series of images and upload them to the cloud for side by side comparison of the before and after transaction. No arguments on the condition of the car, motor home, boat, jet ski,etc.

DAMAGE ID brings integrity to the car rental/sharing space. Both the consumer and the owner are validated with these date and time-stamped images with no ability to “photo-shop” them. DAMAGE ID is the third party out-source to offer clear, undeniable documentation of one’s assets. “Cover your Ass”, Owner, Paula Vercollone likes to say. Using accurate, date and time-stamped, high-definition images, customer disputes disappear. “A picture’s worth a thousand words”.

Call owner Paula Vercollone today to set up a FREE one month trial of DAMAGE ID and join the DAMAGE ID family of happy, satisfied and over-joyed customers world-wide who currently enjoy this new technology which replaces their paper and pencil walk-arounds, saves a tree, doesn’t melt in the rain and can be retrieved anywhere.

January 1, 2019March 25, 2019

DAMAGE iD a Perfect Fit for Fleet Sharing Inspection Reporting

Most recently, Amazon and other large companies who share delivery trucks contacted DAMAGE iD to find a solution to document the condition of the Fleet before it gets dispatched for the day. Then, upon return, the photo documentation is repeated. This process protects the driver who will not be held responsible for previous damage. It also holds the driver accountable for any new damage which occurs during his shift.
Amazon and other delivery companies like UPS and FedEx lose a lot of money on “mystery damage” in their fleet. DAMAGE iD can help solve this dilemma and keep the costs of repairing damage to a minimum by charging the insurance companies for the incurred damage.

DAMAGE iD also has an API which can help transportation and delivery services who currently utilize a software, to integrate and add this DAMAGE documentation feature seamlessly.

Next time your Company is considering how to design an inspection report, think of DAMAGE iD.

Time	Activity
10:00	Breakfast & networking
10.45	First presentations
12.15	Coffee break
12.45	Second presentations
14.00	Lunch
15.00	Tour of the venue

Category: Car Sharing