A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the right set of pictures could be worth hundreds of dollars. With modern technology and guided photo capture tools, it’s easier than ever for a policyholder to initiate the first step in the claims processes. The images can then by processed to deliver a faster, more accurate early identification of total loss, pre-estimate repair costs and get the claims cycle working faster.
Of course, not all pictures are created equal. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to accurately capture your vehicle’s damage, but there are some critical steps to ensure a smooth process. Follow these four tips to get started:
- Capture every angle: To accurately assess damage, multiple views of the vehicle are required.
Most of us won’t know which angels to capture and that’s OK. The best
estimating systems will include a guided image capture, like ours. With
Solera’s Guided Image Capture solution, users will be assisted by a vehicle
masking tool that simulates the vehicle model within a smart device camera.
This technology shows users exactly what angles to take of the vehicle to
produce a highly accurate assessment.
- Ensure the damage site is clean: Having an unobstructed and
undistorted view of vehicle damage is ideal for producing an effective photo
estimate and to train the computer algorithms. In reality, this isn’t always
possible. For the best results, make sure the damage site is as free as
possible from dirt and without obvious obstructions or marks that could skew
the results.
- Maximize close-ups: Capturing minor details can also assist in the precision of an estimate.
A good rule of thumb, if you are unsure, is to capture more close-up images
than less. This is important for the computer learning models, in particular
and removes interference from other areas of the vehicle. How close-up do we
mean? Close enough to see the detail of the damage, but with enough of the
vehicle in shot so you can still easily identify the part/ panel of the vehicle
the damage is on.
Take photos in
daylight: If an accident occurs at night, wait until daylight to
capture photos. If the lighting is too dark, AI algorithms and subsequent users
will have difficulty seeing all of the necessary details.
For more information about Solera’s Guided Image Capture solutions ,
please visit: https://qapter.com/intelligent-modules/guided-image-capture/
