Mitchell International, Inc., a provider of information,workflow, and performance management solutions to theproperty/casualty claims and collision repair industries, hasreleased the second quarter 2010 edition of its Industry TrendsReport (ITR)--the company's quarterly publication that highlightsindustry-related trends, news items, and statistics.

This edition's quarterly feature, "Deductibles Are on the Riseas Policyholders Reach Further Into Their Pockets to Look forSavings," by Mitchell's vice president of industry relations, GregHorn, delves into insurance deductible data from 2003 through 2009for collision and comprehensive (excluding glass-only) losses.Horn's analysis brings a trend to light: Comprehensive deductiblesare rising at a 160 percent faster rate than collisiondeductibles.

The study also shows European nameplate vehicle ownersconsistently choose higher deductibles more than other nameplatesorigins, likely in an effort to lower their monthly premiums in astill-struggling economy.

"Mitchell data shows a growing number of consumers are optingfor higher comprehensive deductibles as their vehicles age, more sothan collision deductibles," says Horn. "Vehicle owners are morewilling to absorb more of the financial impact of a potentialcomprehensive claim vs. the risk of a possible collision claim.This also falls in line with the trend identified in our previousITR of drivers completely dropping their first-party coverage onolder vehicles and causing more new vehicles to shift intoinsurers' first-party coverage pool--more than was the case priorto the recession."

The ITR's additional feature, "Managing the Customer ExperienceIs Key to Surviving in a Down Market and Growing in the Long-term,"by Jason Bertellotti, Mitchell's vice president of repairsolutions, discusses the intricacies of managing the customerexperience, which has become a strategic imperative for repairers'survival during the prolonged market slump. Based on millions ofcustomer surveys, AutocheX, Mitchell's provider of customerexperience management solutions, has identified vital aspects ofcustomer service that can make or break loyalty initiatives.

Complete content is available in the latest "Industry TrendsReport," which may be downloaded in PDF format by visitingwww.mitchell.com.