Industry Segments

Owned by Paulette Reed
Last updated: May 05, 2021
12 min read

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CIECA Standards have been designed to support communications among a broad range of Industry segments.

The CIECA Industry Segments below has been defined differently to reflect the definition of the Committee to which the definition belongs, this is not the Industry definition, but how it is used per the committee when creation standards.

The CIC definitions have been added to this document and should be referenced for any Industry Glossary definitions.

Glossary of CIECAS Industry Segments

  • Associations :

    • These are membership organizations, both national and state, there may even be multiple state autobody associations. Examples: California Autobody Association (CAA), Auto Body Association of Connecticut and Connecticut Collision Repair Specialists (CCRS)

  • Adjuster:

    • (CIC) A person who investigates and settles losses for an insurance carrier

    • (Scheduling) (Total Loss)The person who manages the claim process.  The person may be an “Inside” adjuster who does not appraise damages, or an “Outside” or “Field” adjuster who appraises damages in addition to managing the claim process.

  • Alternate Disposition System:

    • (CIC) Any insurance distribution system that does not utilize person-to-person contact.

    • (Subrogation) Alternative Dispute Resolution Companies: Businesses that facilitate subrogation settlements through other than the traditional legal process. 

  • Auto Auction Companies:

    • (Scheduling) Salvage Vendors/Salvors: Any entity responsible for the disposal of total loss or theft-recovered vehicles on behalf of a Salvage Provider.   (e.g., salvage pools, auction companies, online auction companies) 

  • Artificial Intelligence Companies:

  • Business Management System Company: 

    • Any company whose main business concern is consolidation and categorization of auto repair information (shop management system) or management systems for recyclers (inventory management system) to enable them to manage their business.

  • Calibration Companies:

    • (Calibration)Those who offers calibration services for repair facilities, including on-site and off-site companies (this includes the sublet calibration providers)

  • Call Centers:

    • Any company or internal operations that supports the repair facility operations and communication with the vehicle owners and insurance company.

  • Consumer:

    • The Business Customer

    • (Emerging Technology) Any person or entity that has possession and holds title to a vehicle (Fleet, Consumer, manufacturer, municipality)

  • Damage Appraisers:

    • Any entity whose role is to estimate or appraise vehicle damage and/or record and process appraisal information

  • Data Processing Services:

    • These could be Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) service companies like Ten Point Complete, and data providers like CCC, Audatex and Mitchell and Data Aggregators like Otonomo, Funnel, and Lexis Nexis.   

  • Data Recipient: 

    • Any company that utilizes parts data as part of information consolidation or utilizes vehicle damage appraisals, vehicle damage data communications and or vehicle damage data.

    • (Rental/Repair Status) Any company that does not rent vehicles but who utilizes assignments, messaging, notices and rental bills to facilitate the use of a rental vehicle services for owners whose vehicles have been damaged and are subject to repairs by a segment of the of the collision industry.  (Repair facilities and insurance companies.)

    • (Salvage/Scheduling/Title) Any entity which receives or utilizes salvage vehicle data.  Data Recipients include law enforcement, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Insurance Services Organization (ISO), state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), National Motor Vehicle Title Information Services (NMVTIS), etc. 

    • (Total Loss)Any company that utilizes parts data as part of information consolidation.  Data Recipients include law enforcement, National Insurance Crime Bureau/Insurance Services Organization (NICB/ISO), state departments of motor vehicles (DMVs), et

  • Education:

    • I-CAR, AMi, ASA, ASE, Secondary and Post Secondary school, UTI, WyoTech (for profit schools)

  • Electronic Document/Signature Companies:

    • Any entity which provides either the generation, acquisition and/or processing of electronic documents and/or signatures.

  • Estimator:

    • (CIC) An appraiser or insurance company representative who inspects a damaged vehicle and determines the cost required to restore the vehicle to the condition prior to the Loss.

    • (Scheduling) An individual who appraises damage and writes estimates.  Often known as the “Appraiser” when referring to an insurer or independent appraisal company.  An Estimator does not typically manage the entire claims process.

  • Final Data Recipient:

    • This is the entity that receives the final survey results and/or aggregated data and reports.  There can be multiple recipients. 

  • First Responders:

    • Paramedics, Fire Fighters, Police

  • Fleet Company: 

    • (CIC) Five or more cars owned by one insured covered under one automobile insurance policy.

    • Any entity that routinely takes or maintains ownership of non-total loss vehicles that are assigned to a Salvor for disposal.  (Note: for fleet vehicles that are total losses, see Salvage Provider above)

    • (FNOL/Scan) Fleet companies (including rental, etc.) and their representatives involved in providing first notice of loss reporting for their companies or client companies

    • (Scheduling) Any entity and their representatives which has possession of and holds title to multiple vehicles.

  • Glass Repair Companies:

    • (Scheduling) Any entity whose main business concern is providing vehicle glass repair to the public.

      • Glass Installers:

        • (VDI/Glass) Those companies whose main business is to install auto glass.

      • General Service Providers (ByLaws)

      • Glass Suppliers:

        • (VDI/Glass) Those companies whose main business is to supply auto glass to the glass installers.

      • Glass Repair Facilities (BMS)

      • Calibration Facilities

  • Government Agencies:

    • DMV Interface Companies:

      • Any entity which provides a front end software interface to a DMV system. (e.g., Electronic Lien Providers, Electronic Registration Providers, Inquiry Aggregators).

      • (Emerging Technology) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): State Organizations that process and control titling in their respective state.

  • Information Technology Providers:

    • (CSI) This is an entity may act as an intermediary between the Sample Source and the Survey Company.  (As noted above, it can also be the Sample Source).  There can also be a data intermediary between a survey company and the final data recipient. 

    • Any entity that develops and/or maintains software applications or services related to estimates, data communications and/or data consolidation or or services related to the repair and calibration of ADAS and other vehicle calibration features, services related to damage appraisals, appraisal data communications and/or appraisal data collection.

    • (Glass)Any entity that develops and or maintains software applications or services related to the procurement, delivery, installation, and invoicing cycles of auto glass and its associated products and services.

    • (PhotoEst)Any entity that develops and/or maintains software applications or services related to the delivery of vehicle estimating data, including imaging

    • (PMP)Any company that develops software and/or services related to estimates, data communications and/or data consolidation. 

    • (Rental) Any company that develops software and/or services related to vehicle rental assignments, vehicle rental data communications and/or vehicle rental data consolidation. 

    • (RepairOrder) Any company that develops software and/or services related to estimates, repairs, data communications and/or data consolidation.  Estimatics providers are included in this segment.

    • (Repair Status) Any entity that develops and or maintains software applications of services related to the property and casualty industry and its associated products, services, and business processes.

    • (Salvage)Any entity whose business includes any combination of doing business as a Software Provider and/or a Service Provider; that develops and/or maintains applications and/or services related to disposition processing, and/or salvage data aggregation. 

    • (SCAN) Any entity that develops and/or maintains software applications or services related to the delivery of vehicle repair information

    • (Title) Any entity whose business includes any combination of doing business as a Software Provider and/or a Service Provider that develops and/or maintains applications and/or services related to title processing, and/or data collection and/or consolidation. 

    • (Total Loss) Any company that develops software and/or services related to estimates, valuations processing, data communications and/or data consolidation

  • Infrastructure:

    • (Emerging Technology) Smart roads, traffic lights, road side transponders, Charging locations, Service Facilities

  • Insurers: (ByLaws) (BMS)

    • (CIC) The insurance company that issues a policy to a policyholder. The party to the insurance contract that promises to pay losses or render service.

  • Insurance Agents:

    • (FNOL/PhotoEst) Property and Casualty insurance agents who work with one or multiple insurance companies in one or multiple lines of business.  These agents act on behalf of the policy holder and impacted parties for the reporting of the loss.  This includes both captive and independent agents.

  • Insurance Carriers :

    • (CIC) Insurance: The contractual relationship which exists when one party, in consideration of the payment of a premium, agrees to assume the risk of loss of the other party for loss caused by designated contingencies.

    • (Repair Status/Subrogation)– Property and Casualty insurers in one or multiple lines of business

  • Insurance Companies:

    • Property and Casualty insurers in one or multiple lines of business who acts on behalf of their policy holder and impacted parties for the settlement of loss for the vehicle repair.

    • (Scheduling) Any entity and their representatives involved in providing services to its owners, insureds, and claimants. Property and Casualty insurers who act on behalf of their policy holder and interested parties to provide a multitude of services

  • Legal Firms:

    • (SCAN) Firms that may be involved in litigation of liability

  • Lienholders:

    • Any entity which provides either lending or leasing services for the acquisition of vehicles, and has a financial interest in the vehicle.

  • OEM Vehicle Manufacturers:

    • (CIC) OEM (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER): A new replacement part or accessory that is manufactured by and available through the vehicle manufacturer’s parts distribution network.

    • These are the originators of all necessary proprietary technical information, establishing calibration procedures and documentation. Certification, Warranty and other programs may include required communication.

    • (Emerging Technologies) These are the originators of all necessary proprietary technical information, establishing calibration procedures and documentation. Certification, Warranty and other programs may include required communication

  • Other Entities:

    • Other Parties that are not directly providing loss settlement or vehicle repair or calibration task.

    • (FNOL) Other parties as predetermined prior to the accident, that could include driver/owner, emergency services, tow companies, family members, and others.

    • (SCAN) Other parties whose business includes scanning of vehicles, these include mechanical repair facilities, auto recyclers, 3rd party vendors, appraisers, adjustors, dealerships and the OEMs. This may include legal entities. This will include CPOs (Certified Pre-Owned for non-new vehicles)

  • Paint Vendors:

    • Any company who provides paint to facilities to paint vehicles

  • Parts & Materials Provider(By Laws)

    • Parts Providers:

      • Any Company whose business concern is distribution of parts to the vehicle repair industry. The provider can provide parts for one part category or multiple part categories (e.g.; OE, Recycled).

      • New Aftermarket Parts: New replacement parts manufactured by or on behalf on companies other than the vehicle manufacturer.

      • New Original Equipment (OE) Parts: New replacement parts manufactured by or on behalf of the vehicle manufacturer.

      • Recycled Parts: Replacement parts harvested from end of life vehicles.

      • Remanufactured Parts: Replacement parts produced by various remanufacturers that have been repaired, rebuilt, refurbished to the OE manufacturer’s specifications.

      • Recondition Parts: Replacement parts produced by various remanufacturers that have been repaired, rebuild, or refurbished by not requiring the part to be remanufactured to OE manufacturer’s specifications.

      • Rebuild Parts: Replacement parts produced by various parts rebuilders and have been repaired, rebuilt, or refurbished using used components or a combination of new and used components.

      • OE Diversified Parts: Industry terms include Overstock, Overrun, Blemished, Discount, Optional, Take-off, and Diverted parts. These are OE non-used parts.

      • (PMP) Any company whose businesses concern is distribution and disbursement of parts to the collision repair industry. The provider can provide one part type (OEM, etc.) or multiple part types.

      • (Repair Status) Any company whose businesses concern is distribution and disbursement of parts to the collision repair industry. The provider can provide one part type (OEM, etc.) or multiple part types.

      • (Scheduling) : Any company whose business includes the purchase of salvage vehicles for the sale of parts to the automotive repair industry.

      • (Total Loss) Any company whose business includes the purchase of salvage vehicles for the sale of parts to the automotive repair industry

    • Materials Provider:

      • Any company whose businesses concern is distribution and disbursement of materials to the collision repair industry. The provider can provide any materials used in the auto body repair process

  • Recycled Parts Locator Service:

    • Any company whose main focus is to locate parts for use in repairs between those that need the part and those that have the part.

  • Related Segments/Industries (ByLaws)

  • Repairer (ByLaws)

    • (Emerging Tech) Any company whose business establishment is to repair vehicles.

      • Estimator: An individual who apprises damage and writes estimates.

      • Sublet Providers: Any company who provides goods and/or services on behalf of the repair facility or insurance provider.

  • Repair Facilities:

    • Any company whose business concern is to repair and calibrate damaged vehicles.

    • (Scan) Any company whose business concern is to repair damaged vehicles, including repairs performed under an OEM repair certification program.

  • Retail Customer: 

    • Any entity who orders parts for personal repair of a vehicle (e.g., Do It Yourselfers, walk-in customer).

  • Rental Car Companies: (BMS)

    • (Scheduling) Any entity whose main business concern is providing rental vehicles to the public.

  • Rental Company: 

    • (Salvage) Any entity that routinely takes or maintains ownership of non-total loss vehicles that are assigned to a Salvor for disposal.  (Note: for rental vehicles that are total losses, see Salvage Provider above)

  • Rental Provider:

    • A company whose main businesses concern is providing vehicle rental services to the collision repair industry. The provider contracts directly to individuals whose vehicles have been damaged. The Rental Provider can be paid directly by the vehicle renter or by the data recipients. These companies use assignments, messaging, notices and rental bills as part of their rental vehicle services

    • (Repair Status) has the same description but for Vehicle Rental Provider

  • Salvage Buyers:

    • Any entity which purchases vehicles through a Salvage Vendor/Salvor or directly from a Salvage Provider.  Salvage Buyers can include auto part recyclers, rebuilders, repair facilities, dealers, scrap buyers, private individuals, etc.

  • Salvage Management (BMS)

    • (CIC) SALVAGE: Proceeds of sold property secured after the loss to reduce the loss sustained, such as the sale of a totaled automobile.

  • Salvage Provider:

    • Any entity that routinely takes or maintains ownership of vehicles to be sent through the disposition process.  This includes insurance companies, rental car companies, fleet companies, charities, etc.

    • (Title) Any entity that routinely takes or maintains ownership of total loss or theft-recovered vehicles.   This includes insurance companies, rental car companies, fleet management companies, etc.

  • Salvage Vendors/Salvors:

    • Any entity responsible for the disposal of vehicles on behalf of a Salvage Provider.   This includes salvage pools, partner affiliates, auction companies, online auction companies, whole car auction companies, etc. 

  • Salvor: 

    • (Total Loss) Any entity responsible for the disposal of total loss or theft-recovered vehicles and providing salvage valuations.   This includes salvage pools, online auction companies, etc

  • Sample Sources:

    • (CSI)The entity that creates/provides sample list. Most commonly an insurance company or body shop, but can be any source such as rental car company, car dealership, information technology provider, glass provider, all parts providers, etc. Survey Company/CSI Provider-- Any company who collects Customer Satisfaction Data for the collision repair industry.

  • Service Providers (BMS)

  • Software Providers (BMS)

  • Sublet Providers:

    • (Repair Order) Any company who provides goods and/or services on behalf of the repair facility or insurance provider.

  • Sublet Repair Vendors:

    • Any company who does vehicle repair work on behalf of a repair facility

  • Subrogation Attorneys:

    • (Subrogation) Entities that provide legal services relating to subrogation resolution.

  • Subrogation Companies (BMS)

  • Subrogation Investigators:

    • (Subrogation) Businesses that investigate potential claims and provide their findings and assessments to the insurer

  • Subrogation Vendors:

    • (Subrogation)Businesses that provide collection services

  • Third Party Administrators:

    • Any company whose main business is to develop software, provide services, communications systems, databases and/or services related to vehicle repair assignments, vehicle repair data communications and/or vehicle repair data, including appraisers.

    • (FNOL/Glass/Photo Estimate/SCAN) TPA, the companies whose main business is to administer the claim process life cycle for insurance carriers and repair facilities.

    • (Salvage) Any entity that represents the salvage provider in the processing and/or settlement of the vehicle sale.

    • (Scheduling/Total Loss) Any entity that is involved in the processing and settlement of the total loss vehicle and represents the insurance company or self-insured company.

    • (Subrogation) Businesses that handle the claim administration from first notice of loss through subrogation. 

    • (Total Loss) Any company that develops software, provides services, communications systems, databases and/or services related to vehicle disposition data communications and/or disposition data consolidation

  • Third Party Company:

    • (RP&I)  Any company that develops software, provides services, communications systems, databases and/or services related to vehicle repair assignments, vehicle repair data communications and/or vehicle repair data consolidation.

  • Third Party Intermediaries(includes Software Companies):

    • (PMP) Any company that develops software, databases and/or services related to vehicle repair assignments, vehicle repair data communications and/or vehicle repair data consolidation. 

    • (RepairOrder): Any company that develops software, communications systems, databases and/or services related to vehicle repair assignments, vehicle repair data communications, rental companies, call centers, sublet providers, customer satisfaction service providers, auditing services providers, financial service providers, and/or vehicle repair data consolidators. 

    • (Repair Status) Any company that develops software, databases and/or services related to the property and casualty industry, data communications and/or data consolidation. 

    • (Subrogation) Any company that develops software, databases and/or services related to the subrogation settlement process, subrogation data communications and/or subrogation data consolidation

  • Tier One Providers:

    • (Calibration)These are companies with whom the OEM manufacturers contract who provide the calibration procedures. It is recognized the OEM Vehicle Manufacturer’s procedures have priority on calibration procedures over the Tier One Providers.

  • Title Clearinghouse Companies/ Third Party Administrator:

    • Any entity which receives, sends, or processes title work on behalf of any party, such as a Salvage Provider.  This is an outsource processing center

  • Title Warehousing Companies:

    • Any entity which holds title on behalf of a lienholder or fleet company.

  • Towing Consolidators: 

    • (CIC) TOWING: Insures against charges for towing and road service at the place of disablement, with a maximum amount stipulated for each occurrence.

    • (Schedule) Any entity which provide a consolidated access to towing companies.

  • VDI Provider:

    • A Company whose main businesses concern is providing vehicle damage repairs to the collision repair industry. The provider can perform vehicle damage repairs solely or can coordinate repair operations on a vehicle in conjunction with conventional repairs.

  • Vehicle:

    • (Emerging Tech) QR code

  • Vehicle Owners:

    • Any person or entity that has possession and holds title to a vehicle (Fleet, Consumer, manufacturer, municipality)

    • (Total Loss) Anny Entity which owns the vehicle. This includes individual owners and self-insured companies such as rental companies, fleet companies, etc.

  • Vehicle Resale Providers:

    • Any entity that routinely takes or maintains ownership of vehicles.   This includes insurance companies, rental car companies, fleet management companies, whole car auctions, and anyone requesting lien releases.