Windshield Repair Forum

There is nothing wrong with the network concept.

Nothing that I can see at first and even second or third glance.

Assuming those networks aren't controlled by windshield manufacturers or replacement oriented shops.

For insurance companies to siphon their un-knowledgeable clients through that type of network during the claim process is ludicrous but is that any skin off their nose?

Do the insurance companies care that bait and switch exists and is rampant?

I doubt it and I doubt it very much simply because their increased costs are covered by increased premiums to all of us.

That is always the way insurance companies have done business.

Cover incompetency and stupidity with increased premiums and falsified acturial numbers.

It doesn't really cost them a cent when a viable repair is turned into a replacement.

I'm only surprised that the insurance companies haven't yet out-sourced their claim process to China or India.

The latest trend by those insurance people is to count a repair as an "incident" to be treated on the same level as a replacement with a consequent increase in premium rates.

Tell your customer they might as well have the w/s replaced as repaired because their rates will increase anyway and then go into dent repair.

I was told some months ago to put a fork in the subject of networks because it was done or I would be excluded from this forum.

I said I wouldn't; it wasn't; and it still ain't.

Networks and the NWRA's refusal to address that problem is the most intrinsic topic that concerns our business right now other than repair techniques.

But, if we continue to hide our heads in the sand and overlook the obvious trend, in a few years we won't be discussing repair techniques.

We will be wondering where the ton of bricks that dropped on our heads came from.

We need an organization that we can support and who will support us with no ties to others outside our exclusive industry, period.

I make no apology for believing that we belong to a worthwhile profession or the fact that I don't intend to compromise when it comes to protecting it from whom-ever or what-ever or where-ever.

I

Hey, Repair1.

I agree with much of what you say.

Yes, I do remember the days before networks and the rampant fraud that existed in regard to billed non-repairs and non-replacements.

I also remember that State Farm as opposed to Allstate required that the insured bring the vehicle for an agent inspection before any work was approved.

So.

What has really changed?

If you collude with your neighbor or friend or relative to charge for work not done, you'll still get paid but instead of charging direct you now pay an EDI charge to a middleman.

If the insurance companies REALLY cared about cutting costs rather than passing their incompetence onto the policy holder by increasing rates, they would require that their agents visually inspect the damage BEFORE approving either a windshield repair or replacement.

Might seem inconvenient to those of us who want to hustle a repair right then and there with the customer, but in the long run--considering insurance agent loss/ratio percentages---would result in increased repair to replacement ratios for us.

Even the dumbest insurance agent could tell the difference between a necessary replacement and a potential repair given a bit of education from us along with a promise that if the client wasn't happy there would be no charge for the repair.

Jeez.

Think about it.

As prefaced, I have no objection whatsoever against networks per se.

I have every objection against networks with even a fifth cousin relationship to any windshield manufacturer.

You all say you been there from the start.

Then you should remember that the network started with NOVUS and St. Farm in Utah as a "repair first" trial program to see how much thay could save in the state,($80,000.00 in the first qaurter) and NOVUS could only do the repairs. If it needed to be replaced, it would go to another shop. That way they would not hog all the work.

I wish it would go back to the "REPAIR FIRST" program. Again, set it up if it was repairable then a repair only shop had first crack at it or even a repair / replace shop. BUT they could not replace it if it was contracted to them as a repair and not repairable.. It would have to be sent to another shop. That way it would not pay to be a repair / replacement shop with the networks, they would loose out on the replacement. The replacement shops would have to wait to find out if WE would through them a bone every know and again. Let them feel the pain.

The systems and resins have come a long way from when myself and some of you started out.

Just my wish in the networks.

I think I am right in the NOVUS and st. farm in Utah..

That was back before the networks I think. (13 years ago)

Dont' chew me out if I am wrong. I will hang my head down low at that point myself just for being wrong.

WOW!! I just noticed, I made it to a senior Member. I wounder how long that will last with me.. I may get locked out of the forum for talking bad and have to log back in under another name...

Hey, gt.

That was an interesting post!

I'm a student of history.

Do you remember when GlassWeld had a network deal with various insurance companies prior to Safelite nosing into the tent and long before Lynx hit the bricks?

The fact that our business missed the boat and allowed the windshield manufacturers to set up the present network system has always been a sore point with me.

And do you know what Safelite's financial situation was when Safelite insinuated themselves into the network system?

Oh.

Don't "wish" it will go back to the "repair first" program, gt.

Join the list of those who intend to do something to make sure that it does.

Yes, I remember GLassweld as well.
I just read that Harmon just donated $2500.00 to the NWRA
Harmon Solutions Group Announces Donation to the NWRA

"Harmon Solutions Group, LLC, has announced that it has contributed $2500 to the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA).

"Harmon Solutions Group is troubled over the recent attempt to place restrictions on windshield repair in Connecticut," said Paul Gross, president of Harmon Solutions Group. "We are

Good one GT, being from Utah myself I do remember that now da. I forgot all about that it was a cluster f$%# from what I recall. That was back when I had my glass shop If my memory is correct the reason it didn

My 2 cents .....

Harmon and their AAA affiliation gets sued for steering in 1999.

Within a month or two, Harmon "jumps" on-board of the petition drive to induce legislators to stop steering in their home state?

A few years later, Harmon announces that they are donating a "whopping" $2500.00 to the WSR cause in CT?.....

Admirable? Yes! Driven by a desire to ensure that everybody (including the customer) is to be treated fairly? I doubt it!!!!

In the past week or so, many posts have been made regarding the "deceptive" steering practices made by the networks and Insurance Cos.... Yet, the same businesses that blatantly attempt to grow their "coffers" and obliterate your honest attempts at earning a living are allowed/encouraged to join an organization that is supposed to represent "your" best interests?

IMO, let us assume that Harmon has "truly" discovered that their ways were completely self-serving and that they wish to finally "get on-board" with an organization that will provide the consumer with the best product, as opposed to lining their pockets....

Harmon, I "challenge you....". Honestly audit your books, determine how many repairs/replacements that were "steered" to your company due to the deceptive way in which you operated your call center, AND write one "big" check, equivalent to at least 15% of the gross to the NWRA to show that you truly care!!!

Hi guys,

I'm really trying hard not to post any more on this subject, as I really don't feel compelled to talk anyone into doing something they are convinced is wrong, but how is joining the NWRA connected to steering?

I just don't get it. I have never seen the NWRA do anything that the board did not feel was in "your" best interest. Unless I am completely off base, the money that the NWRA received from Harmon is being spent to defer costs in the battle in CT as we speak. How is that a bad thing? Do you want to be limited to repairs outside of the wiper sweep only? If you don't get involved soon, that is where this is all headed.

Does Harmon have your best interest at heart? I seriously doubt it. But they do apparently have an interest in windshield repair, and there is no reason why you should not capitalize on that. Harmon may change their minds tomorrow, decide they don't want anything to do with windshield repair, and join with the IGA in trying to eliminate it completely, but right now they are working to keep it. You don't have to like them, but right now they are helping you, so at least give credit where credit is due.

I don't believe that the NWRA is swayed by the $2500 donation, nor do I believe that anyone on the board has anything but good intentions for the windshield repair industry as a whole. If you don't agree with me that's fine, don't join, don't try to get on the board so you can have a say in things, but do something! Start your own organization, fly to CT to fight for your right to repair, or at least start writing letters those people that are in a position to make a difference.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I don't agree with all my fellow NWRA members on every issue, I know that many if not all of us have our own agenda, I know some members are less than forthright, and I don't even like some of the other members. So what? We all have a common concern right now, so I believe it