My First Day on the Job.

[dnkies]

Hi All,

I wanted to share my first day on the job of doing windshield repairs.....it was a dandy!

My first repair came to me as a referal from one of my sisters friends....The repair was a small starburst on a 2008 Chevy Impala. I thought to myself...this is going to be ease after all the practice repairs I ve done.....WRONG!

First off, I called the customers insurance agent to see if the customer had glass coverage....the company was State Farm...and they informed me they dont pay for windshield repairs anymore...strike one!

The customer told me she really wanted the repair done and agreed to pay me $35 so I continued on with the appointment.

When I got to the point of trying to fill the reapair, I could not get the resin to flow into the crack legs.....arrrghhhh!

So I decided to drill.....still couldnt get the resin to flow....argghhhhh!

Finally had to drill a second hole at the end of the largest crack (1. to keep it from cracking further and 2. to fill it with resin)

The repair ended up looking better than it did when I started, but I was just not happy with having to drill an additional hole...

In the end, the customer was happy and I got paid....but it was pretty stressful from the get go when I had to explain to her that the repair was not going to be free because State Farm doesnt pay for glass repairs.

My second repair of the day went smoothly and I got my feet wet dealing with the networks...it was pretty straight forward. Safelite paid me $65 for 3 chips on the same windshield.

Are there other insurance companies out there that just flat out refuse to pay for WSR?

Thanks for any responses!

[rtclaus]

Congrats on your first day....State Farm is the only one I've come across.

[Frank EU]

Re the NOT flowing resin..........did you use a UV blocker?
You should. At ALL times.

Keep up.

[screenman]

I may and will sound harsh but you need to get more practise in, did you call the people who provided your training to ask them about the problems you came across.

I really do wish you luck with your new venture, however if you go out untrained your confidence will take a pasting.

[robert n]

good luck on the business. One my first day out (Even though I attended the class and practiced at home)....Insurance Job: the customer had 2 cars...while working on the 2nd car...the break "cracked out"..OH CR@P!....I had to drill 3 times because, the crack "jumped" my bulls eye each time before I was able to terminate it.

Again good luck on the business and BTW, now you have to wait a few weeks for the check from Safelite

[Frank EU]

after all the practice repairs I ve done.

If I may ask.....how many exactly?
When we train our people, there is a minimum of 30 (thirty) practise repairs.
And if anybody feels insecure, for whatever reason, we add some more.

Did you include flexing, heating and all that during your practise? You should play a lot with your practise windshield.
I would strongly recommend to book a training class at your supplier. Keep up.

[screenman]

Only 30, you are way to soft, I would say 100 most carried out in the back yard, with rain, wind, snow, hail, sleet and with the wife shouting hurry up I need the car back. Just kidding, or am I.

[Dr.Chipster]

Hey dnkies, Great job. I am sure nerves had a lot to do with some small mental errors. That is the the way to press through and make it work. Keep practicing and you will get better. Again, Great Job!

[Mr Bill]

When you drilled, did you pop a bullseye?
Did you do a dry out first?

[Dave M]

Good luck in your new business! Regarding ins. co. that don't waive the deductible....I'm in Maine and AAA does not waive the deductible as well as State Farm!