Auto Dealer Software Data Integration Experts Blog

We've all heard the saying "time is money". A classic real world business example can be found in the day to day dealership operations tasks of automotive vehicle warranty claims processing.  A stack of vehicle warranty claims sitting on a desk of a Warranty Administrator equates to money that should be in the auto dealership bank account.  Any efficiency in processing warranty claims is critical to effectively managing an auto dealership. Luckily, auto dealer software that is integrated with the manufacturer business systems can be easily obtained that helps to solve this problem.

Let’s look at a few of the common problems auto dealers have with vehicle warranty claim processing.

1. Inexperienced Vehicle Warranty Claims Administrator

Good experienced Warranty Administrators are difficult to find but worth their weight in gold.  A person that knows complaint codes, labor ops, causal parts, campaign codes and all of the many intricacies of a warranty claim is like a Grandma that bakes without a recipe.  Everything just comes together with a wonderful result.

Unfortunately, not every dealership has such a person as their Warranty Administrator and claims sit on a desk while all the different codes are looked up and bulletins are read.

2. Vehicle Warranty Claims Data Entry Errors

Returned claims due to data errors is a big problem for the Warranty Administrator.  Some claims are submitted and returned multiple times before being paid.  So there may not be a stack of repair orders sitting on the desk, but the dealership still has a warranty claim processing problem.

A problem that will go undetected if your auto dealer software provider or auto manufacturer web site does not offer reporting that tracks the multiple submissions.

3. Not Enough Time to Process Vehicle Warranty Claims

Auto dealerships can be chaotic at times with people handling multiple jobs.  The Warranty Administrator may also manage the cashier window or work part time in the Business Office or drive Service Department customers to work.  Unless an auto dealership has unlimited personnel resources, there is most likely a problem with time.

These three issues can easily be resolved with integrated solutions many auto manufacturers and auto software providers have in place today. A good integrated warranty claim solution.

• makes it easier to train and/or manage the warranty claim process with an inexperienced Warranty Administrator
• reduces data entry errors with system edits that prevent typos and invalid codes
• reduces time spent rekeying data that already exists in  dealer management system

Remember that all integrated warranty claims processing solutions from auto dealer service providers are not the same.  So when you contact your dealer software provider ask how their solution will assist the Warranty Administrator, handle data entry errors and reduce the time to submit warranty claims.

Rich has over 19 years automotive solutions experience with auto dealer management software. Over his 15 years with Reynolds & Reynolds (then UCS), his responsibilities included dealer management software support, auto dealer software installation, auto manufacturer account management and dealership consulting.

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