State Farm consumers can now file claims data through Toyota, Lexus vehicles

Toyota and Lexus consumers can now file claims data with State Farm through their vehicle, according to a State Farm press release. 

The insurance company announced a new collaboration with Toyota affiliate, Connected Analytic Services, LLC (CAS). Consumers can consent to allow CAS to process data from Toyota and Lexus vehicles equipped with data and communication modules. 

Consumers owning a 2020 or newer Toyota or Lexus vehicle have the option to use State Farm’s app to share information on a one-time basis, the release states. 

“This service helps make the claims process easier by providing faster insight into what happened and what needs to happen next,” said Jennifer Megargell, State Farm vice president of Property & Casualty Claims, in the release. “By using real-time data, we can more quickly confirm important details and help move claims forward efficiently. At the same time, customers continue to receive the personal support and guidance they expect from their State Farm agent.” 

Through the claims hub on the State Farm app, consumers can give consent to allow claim representatives access to accident information that includes the vehicle’s direction of travel, speed, point of impact, and the loss location displayed on a map. 

State Farm says that the accident report may help reduce the time customers spend describing what happened and enable its claims teams to better understand specific moments earlier in the process. 

The release emphasizes that data is accessed only for the date and time of loss and used only for claims resolution. It adds that the data is not used for rate setting or underwriting, data sharing opt-in has no impact on the ability to file a claim, and it does not change the customer’s preferred claim experience. 

“At Connected Analytic Services, one of the ways we deliver on our mission is enabling Toyota and Lexus owners to put their vehicle data to work for them,” said Joe Guerin, Toyota vice president of Insurance Products and Data Solutions, in the release. “With informed customer consent, vehicle data can be made available to support the claims process, providing partners such as State Farm with objective, vehicle-derived insights into loss events that can accelerate claim understanding.”

State Farm promotes the collaboration as a part of its “Next Gen Good Neighbor” strategy, focused on modernizing the company’s technological approach. 

State Farm CEO Jon Farney recently described the insurance company’s transformation in a May blog post.  

A press release from State Farm followed Farney’s post, which describes the transition in more detail. It talks about faster, simpler claims service, more competitive pricing, and data-driven underwriting. It calls the approach “Human + Digital.”

Soon after State Farm announced its transition, media reported that the company had made changes to its compensation and benefit package for 19,000 agents.

The release states that State Farm is making the end-to-end claims process faster, from first notice of loss to payment delivered. 

The collision industry has been vocal in recent months about changes it has seen from State Farm, including moving to centralized auto claim audit teams and cutting labor rates. 

In April, Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K&M Collision in Hickory, North Carolina, voiced concerns about State Farm during meetings of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Board and Collision Industry Conference.  

State Farm also rolled out real-time collision detection through its mobile app in October.

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