Combating Rising Crime������������������������������

of social proof can now be done online through reviews and car club blogs, etc.

If you’re not convinced “social proof” is important in our industry, spend a couple minutes visiting a few websites. State Farm’s shop locator, for example, now includes customer reviews of the shops listed. Nissan’s certified shop locator now includes customer reviews of certified shops. Something I haven’t heard talked about much is CCC’s consumer-facing website, Carwise, now allows consumers to search for shops based on OEM certifications—more “social proof.”

I know many shops are so busy they may not be thinking as much about their marketing right now as they should. (Check out my column on “Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered.”) But you need to market when you’re busy so you stay busy even when other shops are not.

And as an industry, we need to understand the way customers think today. They are out there looking for evidence you can be trusted. Just saying it isn’t enough. You need to provide them with “social proof.”

As vehicle and catalytic converter thefts and carjackings continue to plague many U.S. cities, including cities across California, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, is strengthening its longstanding relationship with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

California currently has the third highest rate of vehicle thefts per 100,000 people, and crime is no stranger to California residents.

NICB and CHP are focusing on ways to combat these crimes.

NICB President and CEO David Glawe, Senior Vice President and COO Tim Slater and other NICB leadership will meet with CHP Border Division Chief Scott Parker, CHP Assistant Chief Don Goodbrand and RATT/ISU CHP Commander Gil Campa on Sept. 14 in San Diego to discuss the continued partnership between the two organizations and ways to strengthen the relationship as crimes continues to increase across the nation.

“NICB has enjoyed a strong partnership with the California Highway Patrol for many years,” said Glawe. “We value our rela-

tionship and are looking forward to identifying new ways to collaborate to help deter crime in the Golden State.”

“Vehicle theft remains a high priority for the California Highway Patrol,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The National Insurance Crime Bureau has been a valuable partner as we strive to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.”

According to a recent NICB report, the U.S. is seeing the highest vehicle theft numbers since 2008, including a staggering increase in catalytic converter thefts. NICB and CHP will continue to work together on crime prevention and finding new ways to raise awareness and investigate and deter crime in California.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB. For additional information, visit NICB’s website, WWW.NICB.org.

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800-TEL-NICB (800-8356422) or submitting a form on the website.

Source: NICB

“We value our relationship and are looking forward to identifying new ways to collaborate to help deter crime in the Golden State.” — David Glawe

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