Claims News Service, Jan.31, 12:50 p.m. EST — Property/casualtyinsurer Erie Insurance Group earned the highest ranking in thefourth annual J.D. Power and Associates Collision RepairSatisfaction Study of consumers who filed an auto insurance claim.This was the second consecutive year Erie was ranked numberone.

The study represents 5,679 consumers who had collision repairsor body work performed on their cars in 2005. Respondents ratedtheir satisfaction with their repair experiences in three areas:body shop; claims/estimation; and rental car.

According to the study, insurance carriers that focus oncommunication with customers typically achieve higher levels ofoverall satisfaction. Customers who were given an explanation onthe auto parts used in their repairs were more satisfied thanuninformed customers. More than 75 percent of customers indicatedthey were informed or engaged in such discussions.

The remaining top nine ranking were:

AAA Michigan Auto Club Group

State Farm

GMAC

Liberty Mutual

St. Paul Travelers

ACSC

GEICO

American Family

MetLife