State Farm

[maxryde]

I have a question regarding State farm and ACT. I have a claim that went unpaid for a guy. State Farm has paid the claim to him. It seems he wants to keep the $ as they want the customer to pay up front and then they repay the insured. What would you do, we have been in contact to no avail!!! Has anyone else had this problem? Scott

[GlassStarz]

If you are not on State Farms approved vendor list they will send the check to the customer ACT sends the customer a bill with a self addressed envelope customer supposed to sign check and mail to ACT. Some people will keep the $ and not pay just the worst side of human nature I guess. To avoid this fill out the paperwork ACT sent you for State Farm and get a RLI insurance policy (State Farm wont accept the paperwork without proof of ins) once you are on thier list the send ACT the $ dirrectly. Until then you just have to trust that the customer will send the check 90% do

[mafsu]

If it's worth it to you, you can file a claim in small claims court and get a judgment against the customer for non-payment. I haven't had to do that since I've been in WSR, but I used to have to do it all the time when I was in car rental. The last time I did it cost $26 to file with the clerk of the court. We used to tack on an administrative fee to cover the cost of filing. Then you show up to court on the day they set, the judge will garnish their wages if you have not been paid before the court date. Most folks will settle up if you send them a certified letter stating that you are going to take legal action against them. The last time I sent a certified letter requiring a signature it cost less than $3. Their not paying you probably would also be considered insurance fraud.

[glassdoctor]

Sure sounds like we could at least scare the crap out of deadbeats who think they can stiff us the $60.

Send a certified letter explaining the insuing legal action and use terms such as "insurance fraud" like you say... give them 30 days notice before you "file with the county" for a samll claims court date, etc... to aviod such hassles they may immediately submit the due payment of $...

You suppose that would get the check in the mail 95% of the time? I like the sound of it... just fire a shot across the bow...

As for $@%&! State Farm normally I just ask the customer for payment up front, and explain in a nice way that's it's the easiest, preffered way to work with all State Farm customers. I tell them that they will be reimbursed in only a few days, if not right on the spot when the bring the bill to their agent. Some have been satisfied with this. And, any concerns they may have will be erased when they get the money just like I said they would, so I don't worry about customers not beign happy with the process... so long as I get the job. If I fell I need to, I will offer to submit the billing through the claims process so they won't have to pay me upfront.

I do this because right now i have not signed up with Lynx/State Farm. I plan to though to make things easier, but I will still try to collect up front from S.F. customers when possible. The networks can't stop that...

[scratchy]

Just for the sake of any newbie getting setup with ACT and not having everything settled with State Farm... Since January, I have had 4 SF customers take the money and run when they got their check in the mail. These were multiple chip claims. Losers. Everything is now straight and I am getting paid direct. ACT is chasing them down but it has been a long time and probably won't work out anyway. My advice looking back is to get all SF holders to pay up front and get refunded by their agent. I know this was said a couple of weeks ago and I am echoing it. Chip Tech beware!

[GlassStarz]

The insurance is about $200 per year less than what you lost on four claims isnt it time to buy it? Once you have the RLI insurance and you fill out the State Farm paperwork it takes a couple weeks pretty painless really 8)

As far as the customers who dont return the check what do you really have inveated in them ? less tahn a dollars material and a few minutes time is it really worth the stress? I do find if your personable and the customer likes you they send the check back people generally dont steal from those they like.

[Repair1]

This has been an on going problem for years. Actually now with the networks I haven

[scratchy]

I just want to clarify my previous post. The 4 losses occured when I was still looking for GL insurance. I took the risk processing the repairs KNOWING what could happen. That said, many of the other SF insureds DID pay. My advice is only to those in limbo waiting for GL and then the SF O and A approval. I am all square in this area now and won't be having any more problems.

[mepoozer]

Hello Everyone- I don't know if this will help anyone but maybe. I have billed on a State Farm claim and called to follow up on payment and was told the check was probably sent to the insured. The lady I did the work for seemed very nice and is a money management advisor. I thought she would be honest and send me the check (and maybe still will-repair billed on3-30-04). The agent I talked to today said there was a number I could call if I called the insured and she wouuldn't pay. I haven't called the insured yet but don't know how to word it for one thing and on that crack I learned alot so don't know if I will persue it, but maybe the number they gave me will help someone else collect- I don't know, but I'm keeping the number fo0r future reference- It is 309-766-6000, option 1 then option 3... No guarantees if it will help but that's what they told me... Good Luck and keep us posted!!! Happy repairing, Me

[gold star wsr]

I had the following happen just once:

I did a repair for a state farm insured and sent the invoice to her agent. When she received the check, it was made out to both her and me. She called right away wanting my signiture so she "could get her money"LOL. When I explained it, she understood that it was my money for doing the repair and signed it over to me.