newb just starting repairing which insurance to go with billing?

[repairing windshields]

I was wondering which one to chose a.c.t or edirect glass lite?? For now I am just going to hit and run I dont have permits with anybody. Just going to see how it works out?? But I heard that it takes 45 days to get paid from the insurance company is there any thing faster?? Please help

[SGT]

First welcome to a great wsr forum community. The members here are very knowlegeable and diverse in equipment and skill and willing to help. More than likely there will be someone that can provide insight to your questions as you progress. Don't forget to check the archives as you may find your answers much more quickly than waiting for a response. Secondly, congratulations on starting a fantastic business.

For myself, I started out useing soley eDirect for my EDI needs with all networks and now a combination of network website EDI submission(Safelite & Harmon Solutions Group) capability and eDirect for (Lynx & Gerber). eDirect is very simple to use once you get a handle on there program which they walk you through and files everything for your records on line. It is 19.95 a month with a 39.95 yearly maintenace fee with no per invoice fee if you stay under 35, over 35 they will charge you $2.00 per invoice starting in July. Using the networks websites will help keep you under the 35 unless you are doing volume with Lynx and Gerber who do not have website entry at this point.

As for ACT, I do not have a strong knowlege on there product but I know there are many other members that do that can help you.

Good Luck.

[SeeClearly]

Welcome newbie....I am new here too within the last few weeks. I have read alot in the past postings about the billing process and EDI. I still am not sure how to handle this problem in this business since it seems rather confusing. From my past life :eusa_shif I am knowledgeable about EDI and EDI transactions, but cannot seem to pin point who is doing what and why in this new industry that I am despirately attempting to learn. Can some of you old timers in the industry :eusa_danc (just poking fun) who have been doing this for a while, please shed some insight on why it seems so difficult to conduct EDI transactions without what seems like big headaches? Again, I must emphasize, I am new to the industry and my lack of understanding is probably what is creating this feeling of confusion regarding EDI. For the members who have been dealing with this for a while, is it that confusing, and if so, does it need to be that confusing or are companies and people (with more control of the industry) creating this enviroment? Thank you in advance for helping me with your thoughts and advice. Best Regards to all.

[Brent Deines]

Just to clarify, eDirectGlass Lite users will still get the first 35 PowerSync assignments per month for free, but each "assignment" over the 35 will now be billed at $2.00 each. This is only on "received assignments" from Lynx/Glaxis and does not impact sent invoice. In other words, you are only being charged the $2 if Lynx provides the job for you.

First welcome to a great windshield repair forum community. The members here are very knowlegeable and diverse in equipment and skill and willing to help. More than likely there will be someone that can provide insight to your questions as you progress. Don't forget to check the archives as you may find your answers much more quickly than waiting for a response. Secondly, congratulations on starting a fantastic business.

For myself, I started out useing soley eDirect for my EDI needs with all networks and now a combination of network website EDI submission(Safelite & Harmon Solutions Group) capability and eDirect for (Lynx & Gerber). eDirect is very simple to use once you get a handle on there program which they walk you through and files everything for your records on line. It is 19.95 a month with a 39.95 yearly maintenace fee with no per invoice fee if you stay under 35, over 35 they will charge you $2.00 per invoice starting in July. Using the networks websites will help keep you under the 35 unless you are doing volume with Lynx and Gerber who do not have website entry at this point.

As for ACT, I do not have a strong knowlege on there product but I know there are many other members that do that can help you.

Good Luck.

[GlassStarz]

Act is a easy way to get started they do all the billing and follow up they do charge a fee of up to $12.95 but they also know what the max each ins company will pay is and charge that. For me it makes sense they are easy to work with and pay quickly. I dont do a lot of ins work now but for awhile I did several a day and it sure was nice to just call up hand the phone to the customer and go to work and know everything was being handled

[screenman]

How does the billing company know that the engineer can do the job, most retail customers have no clue of what a finished repair should look like, so they get very few complaints. I am most interested in this as I am trying to get standards improved over here.

[Brent Deines]

ACT also has less expensive options if you want to call the insurance company yourself, and they now have a plan where they pay you right away for the job so you don't have to wait for the insurance company to pay. They have a number of different options, with the $12.95 being the most expensive, where they do everything for you including billing, collecting, and depositing the money into your account.

Delta Kits recommends either eDirectGlass or one of ACT's programs depending on your business model because we believe they are the easiest to work with and give the most bang for the buck, but there are many other billing options out there as well, and everyone has their favorite. As SGT said, it is also possible to bill Safelite and Harmon on their websites for free.

It can get pretty confusing for those new to the business, which is one of the reasons we like ACT and eDirectGlass. It is also the reason we help get new customers signed up with Safelite and Lynx.

Act is a easy way to get started they do all the billing and follow up they do charge a fee of up to $12.95 but they also know what the max each ins company will pay is and charge that. For me it makes sense they are easy to work with and pay quickly. I dont do a lot of ins work now but for awhile I did several a day and it sure was nice to just call up hand the phone to the customer and go to work and know everything was being handled

[Turkey]

Hi. We are located in Western Montana and are just starting out in windshield repair, headlight restoration and pdr. I am in the Lynx System and I submitted my paperwork with Harmon and SGC. Is there any other networks I should be enrolled with? From my understanding, when a network contacts you for work, they will give you complete instructions on billing, customer information etc. What do you do when a customer approaches you and asks you to use their insurance? I was told it was always best to have the customer submit the bill to their insurance company. I want to provide the best service possible and I am sure many customers will expect us to take care of the insurance part for them. Could you please walk me through the steps. I am not expecting many insurance referals (I am still hopefull) so as of right now I was planning on doing all the billing instead of enrolling the services of ACT or eDirectGlass. Thoughts?

Thanks for all the helpful posts.

[GlassStarz]

Screen
The billing company is just that a BILLING COMPANY the sign the tech up with the networks and handle the billing if a ins company debits them for any reversed charged they minus it from your next check in a way they are your bookeeper or accountant
Everyone wants the quality of repairs to be better but your bookeeper isnt responsible for what you do nor should they be my accountant has never asked me if I do good work it isnt his place.

[Brent Deines]

Keep in mind that I have not filed a claim for awhile, but if I forget something I'm sure someone will be glad to point that out, so consider this post a beginning to the answer to your question, not necessarily the entire answer.

Most of your business will be obtained by your own effort, not from referrals, or at least that was my experience. In most cases all you have to do is ask for the customer's proof of insurance card. There will usually be a number on that card for reporting claims. Call the number, verify coverage, answer all their questions about VIN, location of damage, type of damage, date damage occurred, etc. The insurance company or TPA that you are talking to will probably ask to speak to the insured to verify that everything you have told them is true. Once that is done you will be given an authorization number and can begin the repair. Be sure to document all the information you were asked to provide over the phone, and have the customer sign the invoice.

Ask the insurance company or TPA how they would like you to submit your invoice. If you are equipped with a laptop computer and the proper software or Internet billing solution, you may be able to submit the claim on the spot. If not, you can generally fax, mail, e-mail, or EDI your invoice to the insurance company or TPA at the end of the day when you get back to your home or office. Again, how you transmit your invoice will depend on what billing solution you choose, if any, and how the insurance company or TPA requires/prefers the invoice to be submitted.

After you have done a half dozen or so you will likely be quite comfortable with the process. It's the first one with the customer breathing down your neck that makes newbies sweat blood, but we all have to start somewhere, and it really isn't all that difficult.

Again, it's been awhile for me, but I think the process is still basically the same.

Hi. We are located in Western Montana and are just starting out in windshield repair, headlight restoration and pdr. I am in the Lynx System and I submitted my paperwork with Harmon and SGC. Is there any other networks I should be enrolled with? From my understanding, when a network contacts you for work, they will give you complete instructions on billing, customer information etc. What do you do when a customer approaches you and asks you to use their insurance? I was told it was always best to have the customer submit the bill to their insurance company. I want to provide the best service possible and I am sure many customers will expect us to take care of the insurance part for them. Could you please walk me through the steps. I am not expecting many insurance referals (I am still hopefull) so as of right now I was planning on doing all the billing instead of enrolling the services of ACT or eDirectGlass. Thoughts?

Thanks for all the helpful posts.