2nd day of researching the Biz / Questions

[maxima]

Lynx & Safelite are networks setup to help assist in the sending of Ins. claims
and sending me payment for the repair?

Lynx & Safelite are not free to use? How much is it to register? After being registered how much is it per claim to use them?

You can file a claim Manually or Electronically? If I was to file electronically who supply's me with the software to do this? How much is the software? Are all networks compatible with the electronic software?

How do I know which network to use? How long does it take to recieve payment after sending in a claim to the netwrok?

Is it mandatory to have Liability Ins. in this business?

Geez thats a lot of questions...Can't wait to get that out of the way!

Chris

[mafsu]

Lynx (PPG) and Safelite are networks used by the insurance companies to process glass claims. When you file an invoice it would be with the network that your customer’s insurance company uses to process its glass claims. Therefore if you were going to use the networks (some windshield repair companies circumvent this process), it would be wise to join as many as possible. There are a few other networks; these two are just the largest.

I believe Lynx is $100; I have only used them for State Farm repairs and never had to pay a fee. Probably because I was set up as a State Farm vendor when they started using Lynx. I recently ended my agreement with Safelite; I don't believe I ever paid them anything as far as a yearly due.

I would recommend the liability ins.. You may never need it, but the networks and sometimes-other clients will require it. If you look around at past posts you will find some good sources for inexpensive coverage. I only pay $230 a year for 1 million in general liability.

[autocosmetics]

Maxima,

I recently signed up with Lynx and Safelite. Just call them and they'll fax you the information. You have to have liability insurance, I purchased mine through RLI for $176 a year ($500,000). Lynx does the billing for State Farm and Allstate, but you will need to fill out separate contracts for each of those. Once I finally got all the paperwork, it was pretty quick to get set up with them.

I'm using Glass Comp to submit my invoices. They charge $2.50 each, and they bill the networks through EDI. I could just fax the invoice to the networks, but they would charge me $7.50 each. Eventually I'll get my own EDI program and submit my invoices electronically, but I don't have that much business yet, so Glass Comp seemed the way to go. I've priced EDI software around $500 and up, which isn't bad for the convenience of doing it myself once I build up my business.

Jim

[GlassStarz]

Act is the way to go $25 and your in they do all the work all you do is fix the glass sure they are a little more but sure saves a bunch of hassle and leaves me to work. $14.95 if you call them first and they contact insurance company or $7.95 if you call insurance with the customer and get a approval # first. The biggest hassel in any buisness is the paperwork my time is $ so why waste playing games and learning how each ins company wants the billing done? (and they all are different) why join and pay for several different networks when one company does it all without the lame requirments? Just my opinion

PS I told Howard Dean a joke 8 years ago and heard him tell it on the radio yesterday do I get residuals?

[CPR]

How much work do you guys get from being on these networks, just want to know if it is worth signing up with them. How many repairs a month do you average from the networks ? I am just getting started and could use some of your professional opinions.

[Coitster]

Don't expect to be sent any work by the networks. Both Lynx and Safelite don't send business your way. They are mearly someone that will confirm coverage for you and help speed the billing process thats all.
David
Coitster

[mafsu]

I will second that. The networks might have sent me a half dozen jobs a year.

[mepoozer]

Hello- I may be confused here but have a few questions.... I did a repair for a customer with American Family Ins. and submitted it directly to the fax # given to me and recieved a check from SGC. I did all the billing myself and haven't used any of the Ones mentioned here- especially the one for $500.00!! Am I missing something here? Or did I do something wrong? It seemed so simple to do it like I did.... Thank You, Me