New to windshield repair

[c_mackowski]

Hello Everyone,
I am just starting out in the windshield repair business. I ordered my first supplies a few weeks ago. I was very impressed with the ordering process and the candies well they did not last long!
I have been lurking around the forum for about two months just reading all the posts and trying to absorb as much as possible. I'm working with David Coit with training and advise. I am very happy that there are people like David, that will take there own time to help train someone else! Not to mention everyone on this forum that is trying to help each other out. I have two goals
1.To be up and running by February (Should have been December but Holiday maddness got the better of me)
2. To quit my job within 6 months

Insurance seems to be my biggest problem right now. Every company I call is referring me elsewhere. Three different agents are all telling me I need garage keepers insurance in order to get the 500,000 liability. I did find Dallas Fire that will write me at $850/year. That seems excessive to me. I have informed the agents that I will not be driving anyones car but they still require the garage keepers insurance. Can anyone can provide some companies actually writing in Texas. When I called Allstate and Progressive they just sent me to a local agency. I am really stuck until I get this ironed out

Any help would be appreciated!
I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday

[Delta Kits]

Chris,

Read this thread:

http://www.windshield-repair-forum.c...;highlight=rli

I know people in Texas are using this coverage, so there is no reason you cannot. Since you have to have a local agent write this coverage, you will have to call RLI to find an agent that can write this.

Hope this helps! If not, give me a call on Monday and we will get you some answers!

[c_mackowski]

Well from reading the posts RLI seems to be a debated topic. Maybe the questions have been answered by now, not sure. I don't want to have any problem with the "networks" and my insurance. I was reading this post.....

http://www.windshield-repair-forum.c...;highlight=rli

I guess at heart I'm one of those "you get what you pay for people". I don't mind spending some $$ on insurance, just not $850/year

[Coitster]

I personaly would love to us RLI, however since they won't add anyone on as additional insured it makes it mute. I work with the networks and if you plan on working with them to you have to have them as additional insureds. I personaly use Dallas Fire and I had to pay 200 dollars to sign up and I pay 48 bucks a month.
David
Coitster

[GRT]

I'm in TX, and I didnt have to add additionals for the networks. My agent said this is not needed and the networks know it. Well, the Networks said I had to have it, so I had my agent call them. He took care of it with no problems. I've got RLI, @ 225 or 275 per year, I'm not sure. Any Insurance co's that write for The NorthEast Agencies should be able to write an RLI policy in TX. close to what I'm paying. Hope this helps.

[desertstars]

That IS an extremely interesting and important post, GRT!

It sounds to me like you have a worthwhile insurance agent who believes in follow-through and wasn't about to take BS for an answer.

Give him an attaboy medal.

My opinions concerning one particular network are well-known but it also apples to the other.

Their insistance to be named as additional insured has always struck me as a CYA situation that was totally uncalled for, unnecessary and designed to exclude RLI or any other insurance company that recognizes the distinction and offers realistic premiums to w/s repair people.

Most liability companies still continue to group w/s repair with w/s replacement.

Even a blitthering idiot will understand that any company that repairs-only a windshield should not be held to the same liability, accountability and premium-cost as someone who replaces that windshield.

RLI for one, recognizes that distinction.

The necessity for "additional insured" is yet another example of the replacement big shot's attempt to control the repair industry by looping us into their more serious liabilities and spreading the cost and the obfuscation when litigation is involved.

I commend your agent and I commend you.

Whether he realizes it or not, he performed a valuable service to the entire repair-only business by forcing the networks to stand down when it comes to "additional-insured".

If accurate and factual, your post should definitely be placed immediately following the post on how to start a w/s repair business and used as a standard in re liability insurance for the repair business.

[c_mackowski]

Well I found the $200+ difference with Dallas Fire. They have upped their minimum policy amount. In October or November of this year Dallas Fire upped the min. policy from 625 to 850. David probably wrote his policy before that. You should expect a healthy increase for your next policy. I went ahead and wrote mine with them. A $600 waste, maybe but I just need to get this ball rolling. I have a year to make sure I get a better policy. David, does GRT's post change you opinion on RLI?

[Coitster]

Hey Chris,
Actualy no, GRTs post doesn't change it and here is why. I opinion is to make a few waves as possible. The networks are already a big pain in the ass to do business with already. We are only talking about 50 bucks a month anyway. One job, and that pays for your insurance. Just do it there way and it saves you the hassle. Remember not to rock the boat because if you piss someone off at the networks (espcialy the ladies that process your information) it can take you a while to get on the list. And that could cost you business because of stearing when you didn't need to have that problem to begin with.
David
Coitster

[GRT]

Hey Coister,

I completely agree with you about not rocking the boat with the networks. But actually everything went very smooth. The impression I got from the Rep at the Networks was, it wasn't surprising, alot of times the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing at the networks. I think they are trained to ask for the addittionals unless they get called on it. (maybe not I don't know )I know it didn't hurt me any. Just trying to keep the overhead down. But the insurance you have is very reasonable and it does have a much broader coverage. Also Coister, I would like to thank you for all the great advice you give out on this forum. You are a valuable asset to this business and you are much appreciated.

[Coitster]

Why thank you GRT. I appricate that. Also you are very correct when it comes to the network. They don't know what they are doing half the time.
David
Coitster