Rental Agencies – DAMAGE iD Blog

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020

Are you Going Out? You Just got Flagged!

No, thankfully, this isn’t the Corona police! 😂 😂

How about some great news instead? 🤩🤩🤩

Yesterday, we launched an important change to the DAMAGE iD Review Portal.

First, a little background.

DAMAGE iD stores “Before” and “After” photos and video in a “Case”. The Case brings the 2 sets photos together for easy comparison – before and after. The before-and-after comparison makes it super easy to find damage that occurred during a rental or between change in drivers. It’s really true: “Pictures Don’t Lie”.

The “Case List”, in the Review Portal is where the Cases are found. Cases can be searched by unit number, VIN, license plate, user etc.

BUT some customers, prefer not to take both “Before” and “After” photos. Rather, they choose to take only “Before” photos and video, and skip the “After” pictures.

And that’s fine!

Because we’ve just made DAMAGE iD easier for these customers.

In past versions of DAMAGE, any damage found during the “Going Out” (or “Before”) pictures would not appear within the search results of the Case List when “see something” was checked.

We’ve changed this.

Now you will see RED FLAGs for damage found in the “Going Out” (or “Before”) pictures as well as the return photos.

This feature is important for DSPs or Amazon Delivery Service Providers.

DSPs often choose to use DAMAGE iD by creating a new Case every time they take photo and video. These users, who only have “Before” pictures, can’t easily find damage from the Case List.

Now it is easy for them to find damage – either “Before” or “After”.

Hopefully rental customers will also benefit from this change as well!

The Review Portal is the web site where you view your photo and videos. Photos and video are taken on the app, and are then stored in the “Cloud”. **This creates a PERMANENT DIGITAL ARCHIVE of your entire fleet.** The photos and video can be reviewed in the Review Portal. The Case List in the Review Portal is where your photos and video are available for easy comparison. Search and sort by date, status, unit number, user etc. Now you will see red flags when damage is found in the Going Out (Before) as well as the After (Return). No more questions asked about when damage occurred! Photos and video can be used for insurance claims, proof of vehicle condition, or when selling the vehicle.

Hopefully you will love this new change.

As always, let us know if you have feedback, by emailing our A-Team Support Staff.

February 22, 2020February 24, 2020

We Just Added “App-Only User” Role – for Delivery Fleets, Leased Vehicles, Trucking

Recently some of our delivery customers have told us that some of their drivers are not entirely trusted. Delivery companies often switch drivers, and drivers should not be able to access all videos and photos taken by other drivers in the Review Portal. These delivery companies suggested that DAMAGE iD should include a limited access account.

Today, we just added a new type of user to the DAMAGE iD Review Portal. The role is called “App Only”.

Just like it sounds, this type of user only has access to the mobile app – they can’t log into the Review Portal. It is a restricted use account.

Here is a quick review of the different roles within DAMAGE iD.

Where to find the new “App Only” User

You can find the App Only user role in the pick-list you select when inviting a new user.

You will also find this user type when editing an existing user. Yes, existing users can be converted to “App Only” users at any time.

Todays update is a “backend” change – so both IOS/Apple and Android users will get this update. There is no reason to check the app store for an update. (e.g. We didn’t launch a corresponding app update with this update).

We hope you find this feature helpful. A big shout out to our friends at Reliance Delivery for suggesting this feature!

February 4, 2020February 7, 2020

Make Drivers Accountable … with Signature Pad Feature (Released Today)

It’s time to take control of your fleet!

Don’t feel like you’re drivers are accountable?

Are renters taking care of your daily rental or leased vehicles?

**Have them sign off on the condition of the vehicle**.

A signature ensures drivers are responsible for the vehicle condition when the vehicle leaves.

Today we released version 3.3 on Android. This version adds a new setting within the Review Portal. When you enable this setting, a Signature Pad will appear on DAMAGE iD. The signature appears when the vehicle is outgoing.

How to Enable

What You’ll See on the App

When you have finished your walk-around, customer will be prompted to accept vehicle condition.

In the Review Portal, you will see the signature in the Case Info section.

Summary

Our new Signature Pad is a great way to get “sign off” from your drivers.

and… who knows, this could be the one thing that makes drivers change their bad habits!

For this feature – and suggestions, comments or support needs contact us at support@damageid.com.

p.s. IOS/iPhone version coming soon.

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019

Damage Identification API Released

Today, we released our version 1.0 API for the DAMAGE iD API.

The release of the damage identification API is important because it opens up the functionality of DAMAGE iD to developers and IT integrators. Developers can use the API, or “application programming interface” to integrate more closely with DAMAGE iD – exposing it’s core services to software applications outside of the DAMAGE iD app and web portal. For example, the API could be used to pull damage tracking features into a conventional rental software application. Or the API could be used to bring Case statistics data into an analytics (reporting) package or database.

The documentation is a work-in-progress and will be updated as new features are added. The documentation can be found at https://www.damageid.com/api.

What is an API? According to Google, an API is a set of functions and procedures allowing the creation of applications that access the features or data of an operating system, application, or other service.

To gain access to the API, developers must have a typical username and password as well as an “API Key” which is available upon request at support@damageid.com.

May 14, 2019May 21, 2019

Boston Globe Recommends all Auto Rental Customers take Digital Records

In the Boston Globe Article, A rental car debacle and a recommendation – shoot a video before leaving the lot May 5, 2019, Sean P. Murphy recommended that ALL people renting vehicles of ANY sort, be sure to digitally document the condition of the Property BEFORE using it.

If Your Customers are taking photos and Videos, shouldn’t YOU do the same??? All Rental companies for Cars, trucks, SUVs, Campers, golfcarts, snowmobiles, boats, airplanes, etc, should have a foolproof, digital documentation of their Fleet.

DAMAGE iD NOW offers a Video feature for Android users and Apple users will have the same feature very soon.

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!!!

February 12, 2019October 3, 2019

How Car Rental Owners can Reduce Losses on Auto Damage

Car Rental agency owners know how difficult it can be to collect for damages incurred by customers. The car may be in a certain condition before the car was driven off the lot, but often comes back with damages that were never there before. Many times it can be tough to prove that such nicks, scratches and dents weren’t there before, especially when relying on old-fashioned and ineffective walk-arounds.

Car rental agencies often don’t make as much money on collision coverage as desired. Typically, customers are only asked once during the initial contract signing if they would like to purchase collision coverage, and often the answer is “no”.

Profits can be significantly boosted using an innovative new vehicle damage tracking software for Your Android or Apple device from DAMAGE iD. This software effectively eliminates traditional pencil and paper condition reports. More coverage can be successfully sold, and damage and fuel reimbursement can be increased.

Car rental agents can use a digital device – such as a smartphone or tablet, and follow the steps to take photos of vehicles and gas levels during checkout. Clients have a chance to review the images and are prompted a second time to accept Collision Damage Waiver. DAMAGE iD gives agents another opportunity to sell their collision insurance, and effectively boost profits.

When the vehicle is returned at the end of the rental term, agents have an opportunity to take new photos and flag for any damage incurred. Management reviews any flagged cases that are brought forth and gas levels are compared. At this point, management has a solid case to bring forth to the customers so they are able to show the damage and gas levels, rather than have to fight to prove their case. And customers will also appreciate the fact that they won’t be held accountable for any damage that they were not responsible for.

DAMAGE iD can be highly beneficial for both car rental agencies and customers alike.

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