National General Clarifies No Dealership Pricing Cap on Scan and Calibration Reimbursements

National General, an Allstate company, has clarified its policy on scans and calibrations for vehicle repairs, stating it does not require shop pricing to conform to dealership quotes, correcting previous miscommunications from an internal email. This clarification addresses concerns from repair shops and industry observers about reimbursement limits tied to dealership pricing for pre- and post-repair scans and calibrations. The initial claim suggested that costs for these services should not exceed prices quoted by dealerships, and that sublet vendor invoices would no longer be accepted if they exceeded dealer rates. However, Allstate's official response confirmed no such reimbursement restrictions are currently imposed based on dealership pricing. This issue arises amid broader tensions between insurers and repair facilities regarding verification practices where insurers call dealership service centers to confirm pricing and necessity of services like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) calibrations and safety inspections. Such practices have led to challenges, including inaccuracies in pricing information communicated to shops. Industry experts at the 2025 SEMA Show highlighted ongoing gaps in dealership service departments' training and expertise related to safety inspections and OEM repair technology. Repair professionals have taken proactive measures, such as directly educating dealership personnel on OEM technical requirements to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of inspections and calibrations. The dynamics between insurers, dealerships, and repair shops continue to evolve as OEM repair technology advances and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, particularly concerning proper calibration of safety-critical systems. Accurate cost assessments and transparent communication among all parties remain key to ensuring compliance and quality repairs. This development is significant for U.S. insurance professionals navigating claims involving complex repair procedures and for collision repair providers managing relationships with insurers and OEMs amid evolving standards and pricing verification challenges.