Sompo Japan Signs Strategic Partnership with DRS Group for AI-Powered Hail Damage Vehicle Repair Platform

Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., a subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with DRS Group (Japanese entity: DRS Automotive Solutions Japan Co., Ltd.), a global leader in Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technology. The partnership aims to build a rapid and environmentally conscious vehicle repair system for hail disasters in Japan.

In recent years, hail disasters have become more severe and frequent in Japan due to climate change. This has led to social challenges such as repair wait times exceeding one year, vehicle value depreciation, and high environmental impacts from parts replacement and painting. DRS Group excels in PDR technology, which repairs dents without repainting. They hold a world record for repairing over 40,000 vehicles in just 13 weeks using advanced AI scanners capable of scanning an entire vehicle in 30 seconds.

Key initiatives of this collaboration include:

- Rapid Initial Response: Opening Triage Centers in affected areas within 72 hours of a hail disaster. AI scanners will visualize damage and provide customers with repair appointments and estimated completion dates immediately. Portable airframe scanners will be introduced within the year to further accelerate response. - Seamless Customer Experience (OMO Journey): Digitalizing the entire process from on-site AI scanning and estimation to insurance claims through system integration. - Hail Disaster Ecosystem: Joint development of high-precision hail forecast alerts and inventory risk management solutions for automakers and dealers. - Technician Network and Local Development: Establishing a system to dispatch global experts to Japan during major disasters while expanding the network and training PDR technicians within Japan.

The two companies plan to start providing joint services from May 2026.