Billing Insurance

[Frank EU]

If the insurance companies are paying more than your normal rate, then i suggest you may be under pricing in most instances.

This happens a lot Graham, a lot. That is why we have fixed prices and advocate this for a long time.
Yet we know too many vendors, mostly small and local part timers (even recognized names) where they charge $25 for a single repair (MI).
Un-be-lie-vable. One should charge at least $50 for a single, nationwide (yes, including UT!!!).

Back on topic: come on guys, reread what Brian (SGT) wrote. It is NOT all that complicated and he's been very clear.
And again: away with any, I mean any, middleman. They are useless, sucking up a part of the profit. If you want: go direct when and where you can.

This could be a very good point for the NWRA to be working on. Proper and fair pricing, direct business, no networks.

[stihlcarven]

No, I am charging as much for cash jobs as people here will pay. If you are charging what your insurance pays for cash jobs I say you are seeing alot of tail lights in most cases. If not, come here and try getting $60 for a rock chip when the guy at car wash is only charging $20. Things aren't the same all over...I am not going to watch customers drive off and run n tell friends and family how rediculously over priced I am. Average cost for windshield around here is about $140 installed with the trim and free mobile service.

[Frank EU]

No, I am charging as much for cash jobs as people here will pay. If you are charging what your insurance pays for cash jobs I say you are seeing alot of tail lights in most cases. If not, come here and try getting $60 for a rock chip when the guy at car wash is only charging $20. Things aren't the same all over...I am not going to watch customers drive off and run n tell friends and family how rediculously over priced I am. Average cost for windshield around here is about $140 installed with the trim and free mobile service.

Car washes. Right.
It really sucks to see that our vendors have moved into that market. By doing so, they directly influence YOUR (the professional repair guy) market share, production and profit. Not good. I don't like this at all. Car washes and lube centers screw your market, to them it is easy money, additional to what they do. But repairing windshields is the exclusive income for many professionals. Car washes can and will offer this at silly prices. The professional repair guy cannot and should not. Are vendors really all that concerned about- and loyal to us, like they always claim? You didn't ask me to bring this up, but in my opinion they are not concerned and not loyal. They just ship their product.

[Ca$h]

SGT,
When billing the insurance company direct, are you calling the number on the insurance card and ask for the glass claims dept billing address or fax number? Also can they refuse to pay if you are not on the list? Additionally by looking at a insurance card, can you tell if they have comprehensive coverage that may cover the damage? (anyone else is welcome to add thier 2¢ )


Thank you for all the valuable insight and entertaining banter.

[GlassStarz]

Car Washes are a excellent market if they train a guy and he works there doing repairs on site how is you think you are better than him? As long as he is doing good repairs I will consider him a equal and offer as much help as he needs. Also a MFG who turns down sales to a customer doesnt stay in buisness very long. I really get a kick out of the prima donas who somehow think they are better than other because they do it in a different way get a grip

[SGT]

SGT,
When billing the insurance company direct, are you calling the number on the insurance card and ask for the glass claims dept billing address or fax number? Also can they refuse to pay if you are not on the list? Additionally by looking at a insurance card, can you tell if they have comprehensive coverage that may cover the damage? (anyone else is welcome to add thier 2¢ )


Thank you for all the valuable insight and entertaining banter.

I had a list of numbers for the insurance companies I primarily delt with in my area on a quick reference sheet I created. What I suggest is calling the numbers you have and clarify who you are speaking with, then get the number for the claims dept and then the address or info that you need for your desired way of submitting invoices and create a list. Might even be better to just call the local agents to create your list since they will have the internal numbers. I always mailed the invoice first with a very specificlly worded letter. I was always paid in full either by the insurance co or the network they used. BUT... not before multiple follows ups via phone/ re fax invoice, slow pays, short pays that needed to be followed up on to get the remaining money owed. I am a small shop and it was aggravating and time consuming. I cant imagine what some guys that do big numbers would do. Good luck if you go down this path.

Not sure if there is way to tell if someone has comp coverage.

Heres your banter...I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I am not the butter knife either!

[Ca$h]

Do you have a copy of that letter you could send me? Also, did you compile your list based on going down the phone book / web sites or as you dealt with each customer and they presented a new insurance carrier? Are you / were you considered a preferred/affiliate vendor when you started your list? Did you gather your information after the work was done? Sorry for all the questions, I am absorbing this information like a sponge so I don't have a mammoth learning curve to overcome when money is at risk. (in other words getting the ducks in a row so I can hit the pavement running)

Thanks for your assistance

[SGT]

Do you have a copy of that letter you could send me? Also, did you compile your list based on going down the phone book / web sites or as you dealt with each customer and they presented a new insurance carrier? Are you / were you considered a preferred/affiliate vendor when you started your list? Did you gather your information after the work was done? Sorry for all the questions, I am absorbing this information like a sponge so I don't have a mammoth learning curve to overcome when money is at risk. (in other words getting the ducks in a row so I can hit the pavement running)

Thanks for your assistance

The letter I have or had should I say, is very specific and for the lack of a better word proprietary to my business. Who knows what the future holds for me so although I highly doubt I will direct bill in the future you never know. Sorry even when I was direct billing I would not share the letter. I will say a carefully worded letter geared towards proprietary,confidentiality and financial conflicts will help but does not prevent the time needed to stay on top of your invoices.

At the time I was not a vendor for any networks as that would have been against contract rules.

List complied from all methods. I doubt you have all the same insurance companies in my neck of the woods. The national ones would be. Just pick up the phone and make some calls.

If you want to hit the ground running I do not think direct billing is wise with all the headaches involved in my humble opinion. Not to tell you how to run your business but I think if you want to do insurance work and keep it convienent for the customer, sign on with the networks, select a EDI service provider and get working. Always try to sell $$$$CASH JOBS$$$$


Good Luck

[Ca$h]

Cash is good !! Thanks for the good advice !

[mrchips]

We do all of our own billing. We have chosen NOT to use the networks (to each his own)

Here's a copy of a letter we use when we direct bill an insurance company. We send this to the claims department (which we already have an address for, by calling and asking for it!) along with a copy of the invoice. We also use this letter when we do repairs after hours or on the weekend. It works great for us. We've been using it for years.

NOTE: Notice that in the letter, we say

"The customer has signed the enclosed invoice, if this is not enough, please send the approval form and invoice back to us and we will be happy to go and get the necessary signatures"

But we have never had ANY come back............and we've always been paid...........Good Luck and Happy Chippin!

HERE'S THE LETTER:



YOUR COMPANY NAME HERE
Guaranteed Windshield Repair
123 S. Indigo Blvd
Your City. State 00000
123-456-7890

Dear Insurance Provider,

We have completed a windshield repair on the enclosed insured’s vehicle. We always try and have the insured call and verify their coverage, prior to the repair. In this case, because of the weekend or difficulty in reaching the agent or claims department, we went ahead and performed the guaranteed repair.

Please accept our sincere efforts in trying to obtain prior approval. Please attach the necessary glass breakage report form and then process this billing statement through the appropriate channels immediately.

The customer has signed the enclosed invoice, if this is not enough, please send the approval form and invoice back to us and we will be happy to go and get the necessary signatures. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us.

Our FED Tax ID number is 84-1234569

Thank you for all of your help.

Sincerely,


YOUR COMPANY NAME
Guaranteed Windshield Repair




OUR WINDSHIELD REPAIR GUARANTEE
The repair is guaranteed for the life of the vehicle, not to FADE, CRACK OR DISCOLOR
Should the repair fail for any reason, we will credit the amount of the repair
towards the purchase of a guaranteed replacement.