Windshield Repair Forum

Hello all. I've been reading this forum for the past two months getting valuable info on the windshield repair business. Last month, I just finished a three-day training session and bought a kit at the same place. I just obtained a fax machine, file cabinet, business license, fictitios business name recording, and business cards. I'm in the process of obtaining the $500,000 insurance policy now. I'm going to put a sign on my truck shortly stating "Mobile Windshield Repair" with my cell number. Last weekend I repaired a chip in my truck windshield, a star break, bullseye, and combination on my daughters truck, and a star break on my ex-wife's truck.

Needless to say, I have over $2000. invested now and haven't made a dime.

My questions: I was told that until I am registered with Lynx and Safelite, that I cannot do any insurance work. I would have to have the customer pay me up front, then they would have to get reimbursed by their insurance company. Does this sound right? If so, why can't I have all customers pay up front and let them deal with the insurance companies?

When I get the insurance coverage, how do I deal with these companies as far as calling in for claims and doing the paperwork? I'm confused!! Lynx's web site says you need to be in business for a year before you can use them. What's that about?

Also, what should I use for waiver forms and invoices?

I know this was a long post and I apologize for that, but any information for a newcomer to the business would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you.

Welcome aboard Jaydog, I would load my kit in my truck and go make some money. There are many other places to get work without doing insurance work. Let us know what part of the country you are in, there might be someone nearby to help you out a bit.

Hello and good luck jaydog.
It sounds to me like you might benifit from the ACT program,(1-888-228-9108) they can get you doing ins claims in a few days. They do alot for a new guy and while they charge a fair amount 15.00 per claim if they do all the paper work for you, or 7.95 if you prequalify the ins coverage and let them take it from there. A few folks will advise you not to proceed this way but if you do the math on what it cost's VS what the service provides and are unhappy with the situation you can drop out of their program at any time and set up with the networks at that time. A few repairs a month will pay them to do all the paperwork and a lot of leg work!!! You have to guarantee your work either way. You didn't say how much practice you have gotten. The ins companys will give you a charge back on any failed repairs so just do a good job and all will be fine there. (Not to mention that in this business like many others your reputation is paramount to staying in business for any length of time!!) I hope your training went well I know you can do a pretty fair job of WSR with the right training fairly quickly but you will invariably run into some difficulty in the field, be sure to get some support from your supplier when that comes up if they are open of coarse!! Search on the forum about "popping a bull" to help with stubboren breaks and crack repair, remember to be patient with repairs at times too, I tend to get in a hurry and found that I sometimes just need to slow down and let my equipment do what it was designed to do. Again best of luck in your enterprise. Scott :~)

I use the ACT program and would recomend it to anyone. I get the customer and thier insurance card together call ACT and hand the customer the phone. I do no paperwork at all I fix the break and leave.When i get home ACT has emailed a breakdown of the event Every buisness spends around 25% of ther money in billing,fax machines etc Why bother? They send me payment twice a week on cleared claims if there is a problem they do the follow-up it really is a no brainer. as far as the $14.95 who cares? its worth it to me not to ever bother with anything else other than finding the work and doing the repair.

A.C.T. is a good idea for someone starting out. That said, you do not need to be registered with any network to do insurance work. It makes it easier and the insurance companies would prefer that you are as it saves them paerwork. However you can do insurance work and bill the ins. company directly. This is what I do when I have a customer whose insurance company uses Safelite(as I cancelled my contract with them some time ago). You will typically receive a check within 10-14 days when billing this way. only about 5-10% of my work is insurance work. If you plan on that being your main business A.C.T. or just getting set up with the networks is a good choice as you won't piss off so many insurance agents. There are also lots of fleet accounts out there who don't pay through insurance.

Thank you all who responded to my post. Your information is valued. I'm in Southern California. I've only did a few repairs so far for family membersfor free, and you can barely see the pit scar. I'm sure I will run into problems eventually. Thanks. Jay

Greetings jaydog,

Don't wait for the phone to ring. Go out and make some noise!