Verifying Insurance

[toddborn]

Hello, I am new to WSR and have found this forum very helpful in getting things started. I have completed 4 repairs now and already received my first check. I still have a couple of questions though regarding the handling of insurance claims. So far, I have had my customer call their insurance claims # and file a claim with them. I am already in the Farmers/Safelite database (although not a member), so they simply fax the work order to me. However, for other insurance companies if I am not in their database then the customer has to have the Ins. Company contact me to get my business information. Is there an easier way to do this that does not involve multiple phone calls involving my customer? I am not a part of any of the networks yet and would like to just bill the insurance companies on my own if that is possible. It seems that with most insurance companies, they need to speak to the insured to file the claim, but is there a way I can get the policy info and contact the Ins. Company to verify coverage and start the claim? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[Finch]

In one simple word NO. 90% of the ins. co. must speak with the insured. I have been doing repairs for about 15 years, and it would be easier on you if you become an approved shop. Basiclly what that means is that you accept the repair at the rate they set and stand behind your work. What I usually tell the customer is that they need to speak with them for security purposes with all the idenity theft going on. Most customers are fine with that.

Ficnh

[toddborn]

Thanks for the info. The only networks I have heard of so far are Safelite and Lynx. Are there other ones that I need to join also to become approved with most insurance companies? Also, do any of these networks charge a fee to be included on their "approved" list? Thanks again for the help.