Dumping the networks?

[kingmonkey]

I really dislike the networks. Are there any of you who do not go through the networks and just charge cash? I was thinking about getting a credit card machine (most likely an app on an iPhone) and just start taking cash or credit. Most people use debit cards so accepting them is a good idea. I really want to know if any of you do this or would you recommend it? Or is it a bad business move?

[SeeClearly]

Kingmonkey:

If you are going to do credit card payments, I can pass on a name where you can get the service. You need not have a mahine to do it. Let me know if you need information. Anyhow, we use the networks for the ones we have to, the other ones we do direct.

[JWG]

I dont understand why you dont like the networks. Sure they can be difficult at times, but I find a free repair is easier to sell than a cash job, although I will push cash if the customer is uneasy of filing an insurance claim. Plus I get Lynx referrals daily, although I have never gotten a Safelite referral. I like the networks just because they give me "free" money (referrals) and make it easy for me to process claims. I cant imagine how much more work it would be for me if I had to deal with each insurance company (agent, adjuster) on an individual basis; in which then I would consider cash only. They are there to make life easier for the customer, agent/adjuster, and us repair guys. Just my 2 cents

[Brent Deines]

JWG,

Years ago I used to deal directly with the insurance companies, and I did not find it any more difficult than dealing with the networks. I still called the claims number on the back of the insurance card, and then either faxed or mailed the invoices as we were not using e-mail for all that much back then. I have to admit that submitting claims to Safelite and Harmon via their websites is pretty easy, but insurance companies could do the same things themselves.

By the way, there was steering back then as well, but it was generally done on a local level based on the relationship you built with agents. Most agents would send you business if they knew you did good work at a fair price, but there were those that were swayed by the large glass chains that would buy them dinner, send them on trips, etc. I had one agent tell me that he gave his business to a competitor because they sent in a hot young girl with gifts every month. Although it bothered me that quality and customer service was not the deciding factor, I had to admire my competitor for understanding the finer points of marketing better than I did.

Sorry for the digression. I was just thinking of how the more things change the more they stay the same.

[tracy5963]

I have quit doing insurance repairs . I started advertising on the internet and I accept cash,Check ,orCredit cards. I find people make a desicion much faster ,they even talk down the free repair people. I get paid today . It just makes sense for me . I got so tired of waiting on the line to deal with ins people . I do inform people that if they turn in my recipt or call to make the claim the will most likley be repaid by Ins company. they seem tickled by it all . I can work faster. Just my humble 2 cents !!Works For Me

[mooddude240]

I have quit doing insurance repairs . I started advertising on the internet and I accept cash,Check ,orCredit cards. I find people make a desicion much faster ,they even talk down the free repair people. I get paid today . It just makes sense for me . I got so tired of waiting on the line to deal with ins people . I do inform people that if they turn in my recipt or call to make the claim the will most likley be repaid by Ins company. they seem tickled by it all . I can work faster. Just my humble 2 cents !!Works For Me

Are you on the list of glass shops to work through with the insurance companies. For example Lynx, Safelite, etc..?

[paulrsf]

I've only been doing repairs since October 09 so my experience is limited. However, soon after I started doing WSR I signed up with most of the networks and I have not experienced any problems. The procedure has been simple and straight forward. They fax me a referral, I call the customer, do the repair and get paid within 2-3 weeks. Companies such as Harmon Solutions Group pay directly and I have been using A.C.T. to process non-referral jobs. A.C.T. seems to take a little longer to process payments; 3 weeks on average. The only problem I've experienced with insurance referrals is that the networks fail to obtain complete information regarding the damage. It took one time for me to show up on a job where the windshield needed to be replaced and not repaired for me to ask each customer from that point on specific questions about the damage before I scheduled an appointment.
I had one experience with Allstate where the customer service rep attempted to refer my customer to another shop. I had already instructed the customer to let the rep know that I was present and that she wanted me to do the repair. The customer service rep then looked up our shop's name found us on their list of preferred shops.

[tracy5963]

I have not signed up with any of the networks . I had so much trouble in the past I gave iy up . I do however do repair for a local glass shop . I refer all of my replacement calls to them and they send me to the repairs they get . they pay me for the repairs that I do for them . Life is so much easier . I stay in a smaller area and do not spend ANY time on a phone or faxing or holding or having my cust sterred or on the phone for a long time . Work for me . just my 2 cents.

[SeeClearly]

The difficult part with the networks is simply the paperwork involved to join. Other than that, if you are waiting for calls, you will die a slow death waiting. I use the networks for the benefit and ease for my customers. As far as I am concerned they are simply a middle-man getting fat on our hard work. I am not sure that the insurance companies will ever figure it out that they can save monies by allowing direct billing versus relying on network favorites, but more importantly, I don't think they care. It all comes from the pockets of the consumer, so why bother saving a few bucks? It is kinda like having the money in the budget and if you do not spend it, you lose it. Remember the days of the toilet seats and the goverment budgets in the 80's? I need not say more.

[JWG]

I have a cousin that has worked for Arkansas Farm Bureau for many years. He said Lynx has saved them a lot of time and money. I like getting the referrals myself. Seems a lot like free money to me. Just my 2 cents.

As far as getting hooked up with the networks, call Bill at ACT. PM me if you need the number. Call him and fill out the application he sends you and thats it. For $3 an invoice they will take care of the EDI and EFT to your bank account. Plus you get 24 hour support for any questions you may have about what number to call, what information you will need, etc for each specific insurance job. If you care to pay a little extra, they can do it all for you without you even having to fill out an invoice. Have the customer pull out their insurance card and hand them the phone. You start the repair and finish the repair just after they finish the call. The insurance calls last 3-10 minutes usually, and ACT will answer any questions the customer may have about filing an insurance claim for a repair. I have always had a good experience with them.