insurance reimbursements

[gbj]

I read on one of these threads the other day that this w/s repairman said that he gets his money from his customers and they will get their money from their insurance company. Does every insurance company reimburse their customers when they pay for w/s repair out of their pocket?

[Glassdoc]

If the insured, has the coverage. Then yes, they are due a refund from their carrier.. And, they will get it quicker than you would if you submitted the bill to the insurance company. I tell most of my customers to expect a check in 10-14 days from the time they submit it to their agents.. Many of them have a check in as little as 3 days.. The only company I am aware of not paying claims is State farm.. if there are others I have not heard, but then again.. i don't bill them.

[splitpit]

My insurance customers seem to like the fact that they don't have to pay upfront and then wait on reimbursement. Less of a hassle for them.
And insurance companies prefer to have network member shops do the work for their insured. Network member shops that have met their criteria tend to have better reputations with the insurance carriers than many of the non network shops. Now, I'm sure there are shops like Glassdoc that do a fine job! But there are also plenty that don't.

[Glassdoc]

While I will agree that a 'few" people relish the thought of the insurance company "handling" it.. most, do not mind paying out of pocket if they know they have the coverage and the right to re-imbursement.

As for: And insurance companies prefer to have network member shops do the work for their insured. I will add, of course they do.. They can dictate the price they pay and could care less about the time it took you to get to the job or the miles driven.

The criteria?: Network member shops that have met their criteria tend to have better reputations with the insurance carriers than many of the non network shops. Is no more than filling out an application and signing a contractual obligation to adhere to the pricing structure set forth by the insurance company.. As for reputation, my shops reputation is as good or better than it was when I was doing "contractual" insurance work.

I'm sure there are shops like Glassdoc that do a fine job! But there are also plenty that don't.

And with that statement, I will only add that Safelite maintains a fleet of "repair only" techs that have met the "criteria" needed and are some of the most "preferred" by the insurance claims network industry today.. But, alas.. We have all witnessed first hand the work of these very "reputable" chosen people..

In closing, I will just say. if you do great work, and are hard enough on yourself to make sure every customer is satisfied. You will have no problems collecting cash from the customers up front, letting them recoup from their insurance company if they so desire..

[splitpit]

I agree with Glassdoc, there are both good shops and bad shops, whether it is network or non network. It really boils down to whether the techs. are properly trained and if they truly take pride in their work. Self taught by watching a training dvd really isn't enough.

The ongoing debate over being a network shop or not being one, has no clear winner. There are pros and cons to both, so no one is right and no one is wrong. I like operating as one. It works great for me. Glassdoc likes operating not being one. And that works for him. Case closed. It's a draw!

[Daveycrewcut]

Most insurance policies require that a claim be made before repairs are started. Claims have been denied due to work being performed prior to making the claim. Unless you at least contact the agent, prior to doing the repair, you are taking a chance that could come back to haunt you. I think your reputation is worth a brief phone call.

[Glassdoc]

I agree.. But.. there is a major difference in calling one of the networks and putting the customer on the phone or, the customer calling their agent and telling him "I just had my windshield repaired.". The networks "job" is to ask the customer enough anal retentive questions about who is at fault, what color is the car your driving, was anyone hurt, and "you do know that a claim must be filed before the work is completed", etc.. Enough so most customers on their own will just say "forget it, I'll pay for it".. But, an agent.. He won't give that customer one harsh word.. Why? the customer is what makes his business thrive. An Allstate rep once told me the reason that getting a claim filed went from apprx 5 minutes to almost 17 minutes was to try to get the customer fed up so "they would pay on their own" saving Allstate hundreds of thousands of dollars..

I know my personal agent, and he wants "us" the insured to call him 24/7 if something is wrong.. Don't call claims first, call me.. Thats the way he wants his customers to respond.. So, with that type of "frame of mind" as most agents have, they will not deny getting their customer paid for a windshield repaired without a claim.. As for what do I tell my customers.. i ask, who are you insured with? Really, well to my knowledge they will pay up to 100% of the repair if you give your agent a copy of this bill.. Normally, you should have a check back in under 2 weeks. And on occasion, the "office girl" might tell you that you are suppose to file a claim first.. just explain to them, it happened yesterday (or whenever) and you did not want it to spread so you got it repaired and you have the coverage.. End of story.. No dis-satisfied customers, in fact just the opposite.. Most are happy that they could get it repaired as fast as they did.. And I've never had any customer call me back stating that I lied and his insurance would not cover it.. I've had some insurance companies call requesting a copy of the invoice, so they could pay the customer.. But never a complaint..

[Glassdoc]

And to Blind Squirrel, By telling the customer "most" insurance companies will re-imburse for the repair "if" you have the proper coverage you cover your butt.. No lies, no deceit, no high pressure sale.. Its like telling a customer, "It should pass State Inspection".. Again, we are not certified State Inspectors, but we do know what the law will allow and what it won't.. I've told customers that it needs replaced right in front of the Inspection mechanic, and the mechanic tell me. "If you will do the repair, I'll pass it".. I'm like , ummm no... What happens if they take the car someplace else next year for an inspection?.. If the customer, says do it.. Fine, no argument from me.. But I make sure i put a note on the invoice that I felt that the repair would fail inspection.. Covers my butt..

[Bois]

I would like to reduce the number of repairs using insurance companies (networks) and have customers submit my invoice for reimbursement. I'm afraid that many customers won't take my word that their insurance company will waive their deductable. Asking them to call their agent doesn't always work because I've had agent's secretaries tell customers that they'd have to pay the deductable when, in fact, the deductable will be waived. Then again, I do a lot of work on weekends when agent offices are closed and the customer is at my tent location. If the repair isn't done now, I'll lose the opportunity.

Question :icon_ques ... If I dial the insurance company's glass claim nbr (network) on my cell phone and hand it to the customer to open a claim and the customer tells the network agent that he/she want me to do the repair work, will I get a dispatch or can the customer mail/fax in my invoice showing my fee?

Does anyone have any experience in this matter?

[Glassdoc]

I usually let the customer send it, fax it, or drop it off with their local agent. Yes, if you initiate the call you will get a dispatch number. But, do the work, bill the customer, and tell them if they have any problems getting a check, to let you know.. Then you can call and explain customer paid, needs reimbursed..