MET LIFE INSURANCE COPANY

[the big welshman]

Hi there, I am just wondering how many windshield repair/replacements are effected by the news of Safelite Solutions taking over the adminisrtor of the above Insurance company from Lynx---????????????? as from Jan 15th 2009

[ghost rider]

I did not see any mention of a change in price yet, that probably will stay the same, in some cases the price for repair has gone up when Safelite took over. For those companies that sit and wait for referrals, I don't think Belron can be any more aggressive at steering than Safelite. For those of us who go out and find our own work, nothing should change. Payment times are a couple of days longer than Lynx, not enough to worry about. For those that use an expensive billing company, you can now download your invoices on Safelite's web site for free. Could actually be a good thing for some.

[the big welshman]

Hi there, With ref to the above insurance company ie Safelite Solutions the price for doing a repair with Safelite Glass for MET LIFE INSURANCE is $65.00 one price deal no/extra chips price. I myself have been doing a lot of work for Lynx via Metlife over the years it is a big lost for me. I think Lynx has had the Metlife contract for approx 10 yrs--With ref to the previous posting ie Safelite glass and Belron?? Belron owns Safelite glass aswell as Diamond Triumph-Settles glass etc etc etc Really why should the likes of Belron/Safelite glass own a network as well of Jn.Phillips/TeleGlass own a network and have all the worked steered into there own pockets??

[ghost rider]

I found an old Safelite/Metlife price sheet from 2002. $59.95 +15. Seven years later we are at $65.00 for all damage, Not sure if that is a gain or loss? It's still better than State Farm, I think it was 1993 when they dropped their price from $55.00 to $50.00, sixteen years later it's still there.

Third line of my previous post should have read Belron/more agressive/Lynx. I know every area is different, you must do well with Lynx, I get very few ref. from Lynx. I think I probably get more from Safelite than Lynx. Networks are more of a sales tool for me. Some agents will refer to me just because they know that I will do the claim with the customer. Saves them time in the office.

Steering has been discussed over and over and over on here and it's still not enough. Apparently it's legal for a glass co. to own a network or some hungry lawyer would have sued by now. I have asked many agents what they think of a glass co. owning the network that does their glass claims. They all agree it's a blatant conflict of interest, but that's about as far as it goes.

[GlassStarz]

Ghost
The funny thing is most states do not allow insurance agents to refer people to any particular buisness but have approved body shops and glass networks that are also glass companies the guys licence is in jeopardy if he refers people to me but the home company can do it?

[the big welshman]

Hi there, Here in MA the Insurance agent are not allowed to recomend a GLASS REPLACEMENT/REPAIR Shop to a Customer but I am quit shore it still goes on out there a few BONES-given out??? I heard that one of Glass Company would give a travell vacations to the agents a few years ago?????????????????????????With ref to the previouse posting SAFELITE Glass had the MET life account years ago????? We are still waiting for the Local State reps to pass a bill concerning steering ie for the Glass and Autobody ie glass shops owning a network etc???????????????????????????????????

[ghost rider]

You should read the law for your own states, but here the law says the insured has the right to choose who works on their car. The agents or their insurance company cannot force the insured to use any certain service facility. If the insured has no preference and asks the agent, of course he can recomend someone, that's his job, to help his customer. Some agents will go a little farther and try to talk them out of using a company that has been known to do poor quality work, but they will never tell a customer he can't use a shop that he has chosen.

That's how the TPA's do it. If a customer calls and has no shop preference, guess who gets the job?

I have never given "bones". Never had to. Do good quality work and take care of the customer and you will get referals from agents who care about their customers.

I always file the price sheets they fax, when I went to file the new one from SGC for Metlife, there was already one there fromm 2002.