What’s New: In Brief (December 11, 2009)

A new application by Summit Mobile Services provides the user with access to services required if ever involved in an accident.
‘Help I Crashed My Car’ provides the user with a one-click automated emergency communication system that contacts up to three family members or friends, the insurance company, the insurance agent and the preferred body shop.
It will even send the body shop a map of the accident location using GPS location technology.
The application also provides an accident report and the ability to take photos at the scene of the accident, which can be sent to the insurance company and body shop.
The application is currently available for download, and the technology is expected to be available to body shops in Canada by the end of December 2009, according to a spokesperson at Summit Mobile Solutions, Inc.

AkzoNobel Acoat selected collision centres will be giving the gift of transportation to 37 families and community members this holiday season.
The Benevolence Program is a community service initiative sponsored by AkzoNobel and conducted by collision repair centres that are members of the Sikkens Acoat selected program.
Participating collision centers present refurbished cars to deserving individuals or organizations during the holiday season. Other gifts such as funds for auto insurance, oil changes, car washes, grocery store gift cards, clothing, toys and books are often donated by local merchants to accompany the car.
Each year the collision repair industry comes across cars that are “written off” by either the owner or the insurance company. Often these are older vehicles that just need some mechanical and body work to get them road-ready and are perfectly safe to drive, an AkzoNobel release says.
Employees at participating shops donate time and labour to repair the vehicle. Once the vehicle is reconditioned, shops then work with local charitable organizations to help them identify an individual or group that is in need of a vehicle.