People call a body shop on a bad day.
They've just been rear-ended, or backed into a pole, and they don't know what happens next. AlloPlace answers in English or French, books the estimate, and sends the questions only your team can answer to your team.
The calls you get
Drivers who want an estimate. People with a claim already open who want to know if you'll take the job. Customers asking when their car will be done, for the third time this week. Adjusters and rental counters trying to reach your estimator. A tow driver asking where to drop a car that came in overnight.
Some of those are easy. Some need a person who knows the file.
What it does for you
Books estimates. It offers open times from your Google Calendar for an in-person estimate and books one. If you'd rather confirm each booking yourself, switch on booking requests.
Leaves insurance to you. It doesn't tell anyone what their policy covers, what to say to their insurer or whether to file a claim. You set it up to pass those questions to your estimator.
Gets the basics down. Name, number, vehicle, what happened, whether it's drivable, and the claim number if they have one. The estimator reads it before calling back.
Routes the regulars. Adjusters, rental desks and tow drivers can go straight to the right person, by rule.
Answers the plain questions. Hours, address, whether you do aluminum, glass or paint matching, whether you offer loaner cars. You write the answers once.
A typical call
Saturday afternoon in Gatineau. Someone backed into a driver in a grocery store lot, her rear bumper is cracked, and she wants to know what it'll cost. AlloPlace answers in English with your shop's name, says it's an AI assistant, and explains it can't price a repair over the phone but can book an estimate. She asks whether her insurance will pay. It tells her that's a question for your estimator and adds it to the notes. She books Monday at 10.
TBD: replace with a real call once a customer agrees.
Rules you might write
- "If anyone asks about coverage, deductibles or claims, say the estimator will go over it with them, and take a message."
- "If an adjuster calls, transfer to Nathalie. If she's not available, take a message with the claim number."
- "We don't give prices over the phone. Offer an estimate appointment instead."
- "If the car isn't drivable, take the address and transfer to the front desk."
Good to know
- Calendar or software: books into Google Calendar only. With no connection to your shop software, "is my car ready?" goes to a person or becomes a message.
- It's not a claims advisor: keep its answers about your shop: hours, services, how estimates work. Anything about a policy belongs to your team.
- French: customers have the right to be served in French. It answers in the caller's language and switches when they do.
What it costs
Starter is US$30 a month for 150 minutes, with 20 transfers included. Extra minutes are US$0.20, and you can set a spending cap. Full pricing