What do you think of flat rate insurance referals?

[splitpit]

We all bow down to you GlasDoc...you're too smart for all of us! ROFLMFAO!!!!!

[splitpit]

Let me also say this, I group my jobs up in my territory based on a certain day of the week for a certain area. That cuts down considerably on travel expenses and has worked well for me. If a person expects immediate service and I don't feel that I can reasonably accomidate them, I discuss that with them and explain what I am up against. 99% of my customers are already used to the way I work my schedule or they are willing to work it out with me.

Now GlassDoc, here's the answer to the last question you directed at me on your 5:06 post. If an insurance company called and I turned down the repair because I didn't like flat rate referals, how much would I make on that job????
What about the customer on the other end of line who wanted to use my shop but I denied them that. Another shop will get the job and they will forever remember which shop wasn't willing to do the work. Sometimes there is something called "compromise" in life. Many times the customer is willing to bring it closer. Other times I make the trip. realizing that I'm not making as much as I'd like.

But once again, how much do I make if I turn that job down? How much do I make off of direct called insurance referals if I refuse to do them because I don't like network jobs???

In my way of thinking, something is better than nothing!

I'm sure you have a brilliant, calculated, computerized response as to why $0 is better than actually making money. If you don't think you are missing out on additional income by refusing to do insurance referal work, you are only kidding yourself. Who you are NOT kidding is myself and a good portion of this forum's members.

[Glassdoc]

It is thinking like yours that has held the pricing structure in place by the Insurance Companies for the past 10 years.. As long as shops such as yours "compromise" we will not be recognized as skilled professional technicians. But, then you already knew that. Because you are willing to drive 100 miles to do a $50 repair. 4 hours drive time, 10 gallons of fuel, wear and tear.. Yep, you are a SUCCESS, my idol..

[tooldini]

LOL I am still confuse as to how a flat rate of $65.00 is worse than $50.00 for all the same costs to operate a windshield repair business.

Jeff

[Glassdoc]

I'm sure you have a brilliant, calculated, computerized response as to why $0 is better than actually making money. If you don't think you are missing out on additional income by refusing to do insurance referal work, you are only kidding yourself. Who you are NOT kidding is myself and a good portion of this forum's members.

Missing out? ,LOL not I.. And here I thought you actually read all my posts.. I don't miss out on anything, I direct bill the customer get paid on the spot and let them handle the paperwork with their insurance company. Miss out? Yeah, I do miss out on waiting 30-40 days to get paid, I do miss out on collecting what the Insurance Companies feel justified to pay as a fair price. But miss out.. Oh no.. I actually do more Insurance work than ever now.. The only difference is I don't bill the Insurance Company. Do you think Erie or Nationwide is going to send a customer a check that is short because of "fair market value".. No, not as long as that customer is paying their premiums, the Insurance Company will reimburse them whatever it takes to keep them a happy customer..
As for all the "computerized" comments you have made. I'm not following your line of thought. You act like you never heard of the "search" feature before.. Anyways, good luck to you.. Sounds like you are on the right path to something..

[Glassdoc]

LOL I am still confuse as to how a flat rate of $65.00 is worse than $50.00 for all the same costs to operate a windshield repair business.

Jeff

For much the same reasons that "salary" is worse than hourly.. It may have never happened to you yet. But, i have been on several locations where the customer would have 3 vehicles all in need of repair. Flat rate would mean under contract you will do all 3 vehicles for $65, because all 3 of those vehicles are on one policy. It really does not matter. Its only a matter of time before there is no more Insurance related repairs.. State Farm is setting the precedent and the others will soon follow.

[tooldini]

I guess I have just gotten lucky because everytime I get a multiple car repair they are seperate policies. I had two last week that were seperate. I do see what you are saying but that is not very often so I am not concerned about it. I will just have to adjust to any changes as needed. Actually in 5 years I have never had two cars on the same policy that needed repaired. Most people I know don't have a problem with salary pay,, my wife is salary and doesn't bother her at all, she is a teacher so she gets paid all year long . Its just the way you look at things, if your a negative person than everything is gonna look bad unless you created it.

Jeff

[Glassdoc]

Most of the people I know that were "promoted" to a salary position from the hourly rate ended up getting the shaft. Longer hours equals less pay per hour.. Salary means you don't clock out at 5pm, you leave when they let you go..

[tooldini]

I do several state farms a week at least, and about half are cash. So thats cool with me also. Also as far as waiting for payment once you have several in waiting you will begin to get checks usually daily. I usually have between 35-40 in waiting thru EDI so that means checks coming constanly, it really isn't that bad. We have several other incomes in the household if needed I will definetly pump up my retail marketing.

Jeff

[tooldini]

That is probably true sometimes but not always. My dad is salary and very rarely works over 40,, maybe 2 times a year if that.

Jeff