NWRA releases newsletter

[D2D]

In it all of my concerns are being addressed coherently. So, I apologize for the criticism of the organization and its new president. Now we wait and see what happens with the Arizona and Texas legislation.

[D2D]

I'm seriously thinking about joining the NWRA again. The article by Mr. Wanstrath on "should insurance cover your windshield" is the first sign of sanity I've ever seen coming from someone in this position. I really like this guy. I'll wait and see what the responses are and whether my previously stated issues of trip charges and copays gets discussed.
Of course, that would all be moot if the insurance companies were to stop paying for repair and replacement.
When you contemplate it though, if it doesn't happen it will be prima facie evidence of the incestuous relationships that SGC has and is working overtime to expand.

[Brent Deines]

Here is a link to the glassbytes page with the most current NWRA newsletter. http://www.glassbytes.com/documents/new ... 110318.pdf

[D2D]

Thank you Brent, I've respected forum rules and not posted any links to glassbytes trusting people would know it already or otherwise find it on their own.

[WindshieldScott]

I'm seriously thinking about joining the NWRA again. The article by Mr. Wanstrath on "should insurance cover your windshield" is the first sign of sanity I've ever seen coming from someone in this position. I really like this guy. I'll wait and see what the responses are and whether my previously stated issues of trip charges and copays gets discussed.
Of course, that would all be moot if the insurance companies were to stop paying for repair and replacement.
When you contemplate it though, if it doesn't happen it will be prima facie evidence of the incestuous relationships that SGC has and is working overtime to expand.

I've been toying with the idea of joining. I even called them the other day, but they couldn't really give me a good reason to do it. They just said it give me "perks." lol

Anyone here have a compelling reason? I'm more curious than anything. I think next week I'm going to join no matter what, just so I can say that I am a member.

[Windshield911]

so we shouldn't charge insurance companies anymore? haha

[SuperGlassDave]

These are gratifying comments, that some of you are considering getting involved with the NWRA. The association is the sum of the membership. Any member can make an impact and just about any member can become a board member if they want to.

I think the most obvious reasons to join the NWRA are (1) to insert your ideas about change and what the NWRA should do for the members. (2) numbers equal power. The more members an association has, the louder voice it has. Legislature will give more credibility to the larger body of members. (large network with 1,000's of employees vs small association with 250 members)

But, to expect a non-profit association to influence any company to quit doing repairs, or give their repairs to local repairers, or to change their business practices in any way is not logical. Just as you would not change your business practices by request of the NWRA, large replacement companies aren't going to either.

Change is going to made by lawmakers when they recognize that the public motorist is not getting a fair deal or is being misguided. The NWRA is one of the entities trying to make this clear when it happens. You can help by supporting the NWRA and then becoming active within it. There is a lot of room on committees to help promote, protect and guide our industry. The NWRA has done some very valuable things in the past for repairers, ROLAGS, the original Recommended Practices and the first Certification Program.

I feel like the purpose of the NWRA is to make every effort to help keep our industry clean and safe. To ward off unethical legislation that would hurt us and to keep repairers aware of the threats to our businesses are just two of their functions to that goal. It's our job to run our business well enough to make them profitable and to attract our own business through our promotional and marketing efforts.

I hope this makes sense to most of you and that you will give the association a chance by joining and make it stronger by participating. You can make a difference!

David Casey - SuperGlass Windshield Repair, Inc.

[clearquest]

Page 6 Kerry Wanstrath suggests what would certainly impact my business in a negative way so I'm sure as heck not going to join an organization that believes that the insurance industry should stop waiving the deductible for repairs

[SuperGlassDave]

The theory regarding insurance could have merit. How many insurance jobs do you really get access to when the networks are distributing so many repairs to themselves? That funnel is pretty small at the bottom. On the other hand, how many jobs would you end up with in your market if the customer is left to find their own solution? I bet you could garner as many as the network is giving you now.

One more piece of logic, if the insurance industry stepped out of glass, then the cost of a windshield would be totally on the motorist. That would make $60 to $70 repairs look pretty good to them.

It's a debate. No one can tell the future, only specultate. Since the decision will be made by insurance companies with zero regard for what we think or want, it's pretty moot now anyway. Didn't Yogi Berra put it like this, "It's really hard to predict things, especially when they are in the future."

Keep your chins up. I did read today that the average auto owner is going to hold on to their car for another five years (even if it's already five years old). Good news for repairers since these motorists are already prepared to spend a little on maintenance.

Happy repairing - David Casey - SuperGlass Windshield Repair, Inc.

[clearquest]

The cost of replacement is already pretty much on the insured and with network referals giving me nearly 60% of my total repairs I'm certainly not in favor of the insurance industry dropping repairs.