State Farm Article

[worthwhileWSR]

Dont know if anybody else has seen this or not.

http://www.statefarm.com/claims/shldrepr.htm

[StarQuest]

This is only my opinion.....so don't jump all over this;)

I believe State Farm has a long term plan in progress to eliminate both glass repair and replacement coverage for it's policy holders. Why not educate the customer towards repair, when by the end of 2006, they'll be in the position of not having to pay for it? They're really looking to make glass a normal maintenance item for insureds....like tire flats, rotations, or normal brake service. Not having to pay for repairs while at the same time avoiding unnecessary replacement claims by educating customers towards repair...who do you think will end up on top? Well, State Farm believes it will be them!

I still haven't decided whether these changes are a good thing for us or a bad thing! More cash repairs are always a good thing......but will customers be upset, when their non-StateFarm neighbor had his shield recently repaired "FREE"? Guess we'll have to wait and see;)

[maxryde]

Starquest said,
"I believe State Farm has a long term plan in progress to eliminate both glass repair and replacement coverage for it's policy holders."
While I shair your belief that his change is comming, my opinion is that the repair only shops who rely on insurance for their income will have the worst time of it untill the glass has to come out of the customers pocket too. This may be awhile given the industries red tape style history. While the growing pains may harm and or run some folks completely out of the repair AND replacement business when the insurance folks stop paying big bucks for glass we can purchace for less. (this may be different in some areas)

I totally agree that IF things go in that direction (customer being responsable for their own glass) it will be a huge benifit for our industry. While the consumer may be less than thrilled with the change at least the abuse of the insurance industry (repair included) will be curbed as a result!

My opinion is that in order to survive comfortably a person needs to stay diversified (not put all of your eggs in the insurance basket) and roll with the punches. Remain flexable!! It's a no brainer really. Not really any change except for the folks who push free repairs and all they have to do is adjust their sales a little bit and voila.

Time will tell on this issue. I hate change but if things go that way repairs WILL increase!! (The replacement folk will love us then.) Scott

[maxryde]

Oops double post