Hear the latest from Kristen about what's going in the collision industry. Collision Hub can help you make new connections, better follow industry events, and catch up on industry news and job opportunities.
Collision Coffee Talk
Claim This Podcastby Kristen Felder
5.0(16 reviews)
86 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
48
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality83
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Hear the latest from Kristen about what's going in the collision industry. Collision Hub can help you make new connections, better follow industry events, and catch up on industry news and job opportunities.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/21/2025
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
48
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality83
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
7
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 5 days
Performing excellently!
good
Show Notes Quality
3.0/5
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Collision Coffee Talk
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
August 10, 2026
State Farm Has a NEW Problem in Oklahoma AND Georgia | Allstate Is Building 250 AI Claims Models
<p>State Farm has new legal trouble in both Oklahoma and Georgia — and Allstate says it is building an AI claims system made up of roughly 250 separate analytical models. <br>That is a lot happening at once, but the bigger story is what all of these developments tell us about where claims handling is headed.</p><p>In this edition of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder connects the dots between litigation, AI, total losses, technology, OEM influence, and the increasing pressure being placed on collision repair businesses. Oklahoma has significantly escalated its case against State Farm by bringing in outside counsel with experience litigating systemic claims-handling issues. At the same time, a new Georgia lawsuit is putting State Farm’s diminished-value process back under the microscope — more than two decades after Mabry.</p><p>Also discussed: Mercedes-Benz’s “hot seat” lawsuit, Ford On Target, the I-CAR RTS Portal, and what shops need to understand as automation continues reshaping claims and collision repair.</p><p>The bigger question: Are we improving claims handling — or just automating the problems already built into the system?</p><p>☕ Subscribe to Collision Coffee Talk and join the YouTube membership for bonus content and deeper dives.</p>
August 3, 2026
State Farm Said the Quiet Part Out Loud Shops Are the Enemy and Customers Are “Morons”
<p>A State Farm employee said an “alternative workflow” shop is a facility intentionally trying to take State Farm’s money—and called the customer who chose those shops a “moron.”</p><p>That was not the only troubling statement.</p><p>In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder breaks down internal comments and communications that reveal how some insurance employees may view independent repair facilities, customer choice, OEM procedures and claims payments.</p><p>The episode begins with a State Farm estimatics team manager challenging a Montana shop’s decision to perform Toyota safety inspections. The manager questioned whether a non-Toyota-certified shop could properly disassemble and reassemble the vehicle, warned about possible rattles and warranty issues, and directed the customer toward other repair facilities—including a State Farm Select Service shop.</p><p>Then another State Farm employee entered the public discussion and said the quiet part out loud.</p><p>What does “alternative workflow” really mean inside an insurance company? Is it simply a description for a shop outside the insurer’s preferred process—or is it a label used to portray independent repairers as unreasonable, dishonest or financially motivated?</p><p>And what happens when that same attitude reaches liability, injury and settlement decisions?</p><p>This episode also connects the controversy to several major developments reshaping collision repair and auto claims:</p><p>☕ <strong>*LKQ reports record alternative-part usage*</strong><br>Alternative-part usage has reportedly reached 40%, while claim counts have declined for 12 consecutive quarters. LKQ’s CEO described alternative parts as one of the most effective levers insurers can use to reduce repair costs when carrier margins are under pressure.</p><p>☕ <strong>*GM strengthens its parts position—but will it enforce it?*</strong><br>General Motors updated its language to more strongly prohibit salvage, recycled and non-genuine parts. The industry celebrated the wording, but stronger language means little if GM-certified shops remain on insurer programs that require alternative-part acceptance.</p><p>☕ <strong>*The blend study did not create lasting change*</strong><br>New survey data shows the percentage of shops reporting payment above traditional blend allowances has fallen significantly from two years ago.</p><p>☕ <strong>*Allstate’s investment in Kinetic raises new questions*</strong></p><p>Now shops on the East Coast report receiving supplement reductions that reference Kinetic pricing—even though Kinetic’s listed locations are in California, Nevada and Utah.</p><p>☕ <strong>*Right to Appraisal arrests are increasing*</strong><br>Justin Broccoli was arrested in Rhode Island on multiple counts connected to insurance claims and appraisal activity.</p><p>☕ <strong>*Rivian’s financial problems reveal a larger software dependency*</strong><br>Rivian’s vehicle business continues to struggle, while its software relationship with Volkswagen may be helping keep the company afloat.</p><p>☕ <strong>*Anthropic used insurance liability as an AI prompting example*</strong><br>Anthropic, the company behind Claude, published an AI training demonstration showing how an artificial intelligence system could review an accident report and determine which driver was at fault.</p><p>☕ <strong>*The Gerber claims-administration story gets bigger*</strong></p><p>Gerber’s connection to a third-party claims administrator may be about more than competing with Safelite in glass.</p><p>These are not separate stories.</p><p>They are pieces of the same system.</p><p>A system increasingly driven by financial pressure, insurer-created labels, preferred repair networks, centralized software, alternative parts and artificial intelligence.</p><p>The shop was respectful.</p><p>Kristen chose not to be.</p><p>Subscribe to Collision Hub and join Collision Coffee Talk each week for the stories, documents and connections the rest of the industry often misses.</p>
July 27, 2026
Layoffs, Falling Claims and the Collision Industry Reckoning
<p>The collision repair industry is not simply experiencing another temporary slowdown. Falling claim frequency, major layoffs and structural changes across insurance, technology, parts and repair organizations are pointing toward something much larger: an industry reckoning.</p><p>In this episode of Collision Coffee Talk, Kristen Felder examines layoffs affecting CCC, Caliber Collision and LKQ and compares today’s collision claim environment with the warning signs seen before the 2008 recession. In 2008, a collision claim frequency of 5.3 was treated as a crisis. Today, industry frequency may be approaching 4.1—and continuing to fall.</p><p>But fewer claims are only part of the story.</p><p>Kristen also explores how insurance companies and claims vendors are using vehicle-history data, automation and artificial intelligence to influence claim decisions, prior-damage investigations, total-loss valuations, diminished-value claims and potential fraud referrals. Carfax is no longer just selling vehicle-history reports to consumers. Its claims solutions are increasingly positioned as tools for insurers.</p><p>The episode also examines the danger of placing a “human in the loop” when that human lacks the training, authority or judgment to challenge an automated conclusion. A Ford employee allegedly terminated over a $1.95 cookie becomes a powerful example of what can happen when companies trust software before they verify the facts—and why the same failure can occur in insurance claims and AI-generated collision estimates.</p><p>Additional topics include:</p><p>• Why collision repair may not bounce back as it did after 2008<br>• Declining auto claim frequency and rising total-loss pressure<br>• CCC, Caliber and LKQ layoffs<br>• Carfax Claims Solutions and insurer access to vehicle data<br>• AI estimating, automation and structural bad faith concerns<br>• The difference between having a human involved and having a capable human involved<br>• PPG’s expansion into adhesives, safety equipment and new distribution channels<br>• The future of paint jobbers and direct-to-shop purchasing<br>• Leadership changes at Driven Brands, CARSTAR, Ram and Jeep<br>• BMW position statements on OEM windshields and headlamps<br>• Why aftermarket lighting can affect ADAS and collision-avoidance performance<br>• How shops should rethink staffing, estimating, negotiation and business structure</p><p>This episode is not about predicting the end of collision repair. It is about recognizing that the business model, claims environment and supporting industries are already changing—and shops, estimators, technicians, vendors and claims professionals need to prepare for what comes next.</p><p>Kristen also discusses her new book, The Judgment Gap, which examines artificial intelligence, automation, training, human capability and the growing risk of allowing machines to influence decisions that people are no longer prepared—or empowered—to question.</p>
86 total episodes available
Recent guests on Collision Coffee Talk
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Toby Chess
Guest
Jane Doe
Guest
Similar Podcasts
Discover related shows you might enjoy
The Collision Vision
Autobody News
Body Bangin'
Micki Woods
CollisionCast
FenderBender
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan
Jocko Podcast
Jocko DEFCOR Network
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan
Daily Drive with Lakepointe Church
Lakepointe Church
The Ramsey Show
Ramsey Network
The Naked Marriage with Dave & Ashley Willis
XO Podcast Network, Dave Willis, Ashley Willis
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella
The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka
Gary Brecka
Gun Talk
Gun Talk Media
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Theo Von
The Tucker Carlson Podcast
Tucker Carlson Network
PBD Podcast
PBD Podcast
Deep-dive analytics for Collision Coffee Talk
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Collision Coffee Talk?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.