Networks vs. Direct Billing

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

OK, my process from start to finish.

With customer present we call safelite or lynx, different numbers say for Allstate and St. Farm, even though both use lynx.

We tell them who we are, give them the customers name and policy number.

I give the phone to the customer who will give their home phone number, date of damage, how many chips, where it happened, any injuries, how it happened, etc.

They tell the customer they are free to chose any one they want to use, because I'm not in their network, they don't quarantee the job, it is up to me to provide my own quarantee.

By this time I'm doing the job.

The clerk will ask to speak to me again, ask for company phone number, they pull it up, varify fax number and address, ask if I accept their payment of $50.00 first chip + $10.00 and $10.00. I say yes, they give me the authorization # and "Thank you for using Lynx" Also that in the case of St. Farm I'm responsible for collecting which I always do as soon as the job is finished and customer is satisfied.

Phone call is 5 to 10 minutes, with no hassel.

In just a few minutes the fax authorization comfirmation comes in,.we fax it back along w/ the signed invoice.

So as I see it, this fax is my total cost plus waiting about two weeks to get paid, but I know it will be paid, not a credit risk at all..

About two weeks the check comes in. Having been in business before I retired seven years ago, I know too well it is a pain to keep up with accounts receivables and slow payers-30, 60, 90 days is the norm for most business'. I don't want that weight on my shoulders again.

Now my question is; if I join the networks, would they pay me more than 50-10-10 or any faster or less complicated procedure?

Are there advantiges I'm not aware of?

Bill Boone

[Delta Kits]

Now my question is; if I join the networks, would they pay me more than 50-10-10 or any faster or less complicated procedure?

Are there advantiges I'm not aware of?

If you are consistently able to get paid, not have customers get freaked out at the "not approved" speech, and get your money up front from State Farm customers, I would say there's not much benefit to signing up.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen very many people able to do the things I specified on a large scale basis, with any consistency.

If you're able to do that, I would say there's no reason to fix what's not broken!

[Glass Medic]

Confused in Virginia!!
I'm trying to get started in this business. So far, I'm adding up all the startup costs and licensing req's, etc. I called a few ins cos about how they handle claims processing (USAA and Geico). They directed me to Safelite. They said I can't send a claim to them until I've been in business for one year. The ins cos said I can't bill them directly, I have to go thru the network. I called GlassComp about EDI billing, they said I had to belong to a network inorder to use their service. This isn't the understanding I got from reading the previous posts when I searched for topics on Insurance and billing. Am I missing something?
Doug

[lebs27]

I currently own and operate a mobile lube business. Since I have started in November my fleets that I service number around 300 vehicles. I had thought about adding WSR to my business & using ACT to simplify things.

One thing that I was wondering about - when servicing a fleet customer using ACT - I noticed reading on the website that they would need to speak with the customer on the phone. I am wondering about the right person to get at the fleet company who could authorize this. Normally this may not be a problem but with some of the larger companies it could be. Has anyone else had an issue similar to this?

[StarQuest]

lebs27,

A fleet account would generally be authorized through a fleet or maintenance manager with a P.O. If they do have a insurance carrier to bill for glass repair that would most likely be done internally.

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

Jeff, I must be just plain lucky. As a matter of fact, my email is lukydude@----only problem guess I caion't spell very well. .

But when all is said an' done, for Sat and Sunday I always come away from the flea market with a good amount of business , usually about $400.00 to $600.00 in insurance jobs.
I don't know how that stakes up with young folks supporting a family
but it a great way to provide a needed service and suppliment S.S.
Really not much selling to it, mainly educating the consumer.

Cash of course is always welcome, plus there are some as you say I give the invoice to for them to send in for rembursment.

We stay 99% @ the $50.00, 10. and 10. If someone does'nt have the money I tell them to pay me when they can, so far no one has stiffed me.

It seems when we call in to the networks, even though they must have many clerks we always have a plesant and friendly conversation. Some of them actually seem to know us pretty well by now.

We did have a lady call today, said Gyco called her as they hadn't received an invoice from us, wondered why. We did mail that one in 27th.April. followed up with a fax today.
One went 60 days a while back but that is rare.

Lotso luck to all..Have a great career. Net works or not, what ever works well for you!!!!!!!

By the way, we are leaving Tomball Texas next week heading for Salina KS, for a family reunion Sat the 6th. at the Golden Corral Rest. then to Grain Valley MO. for several weeks, probably stayin' at Paridise Lake in Lone Jack.

Then on to Hutchinson KS for The Great North American R.V. Rally from the 16th. to probably the 23rd.

Then to Colorado Springs for the summer staying at The Garden Of The Gods R.V. Park.

Shirley and I would be mighty pleased if anyone in the business is close by any of these locations and could stop by an' say howdy.

Probably have the coffee pot perkin' and ppossibly a cold brew.

[GlassStarz]

Glass Medic
Not to keep beating the Act drum but if you sign up with them they sign you up with all the networks if you pick up a insurance policy for about $200 they hook you into State Farm as well, once your in the system if you dont want to pay the $14.95 per invoice you can call the networks to get the auth# then call it or fax it into ACT for billing at $7.95 per invoice. After you have been in the buisness awhile and show up on the network data bases you can divorce yourself from ACT and bill them yourself for the savings if you want . using ACT will overcome the 1yr objection.




Damn that dog stinks!

[StarQuest]

graybeard.

Just curious....how are you getting your faxes on the road? Are you using your cell phone or the RV parks office fax machine?

That's pretty cool that you can travel around like this, fully enjoy these retirement years and cover expenses through WSR. My hats off to you Sir! What a great way to live your life

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

StarQuest, we have a duplex in Tomball, renter is great about taking care of everything when we ar on the road.
To answer your question, we just bought a Brother MFC-3220C combo fax, printer, scaner and something else, oh ya, it copies.
I took one couch out of the coach and built a nice looking desk to match cabnitry, added a drawer the device sits on. Only time we can fax on the road is when we pay for a phone line when staying at a R.V. park.
Other than that we have to wait to get to a town and pay but no real problem.
It is a good life we enjoy, not for everyone granted, but many new friends every day and so many beautiful places to visit in this great land we are so blessed to live in.

[Glass Medic]

Thanks GlassStarz.
I guess ACT would be the easiest way to go for starting out. So if I call ACT for auth#, they charge 14.95. But if I sign up with ACT, I can call the network for the #, then fax the invoice to ACT and pay 7.95. Is that right?

I was thinking about registering as an LLC vice sole proprietor for protection. How has others set up their bus entity? In VA it's $100 to file as LLC.

BTW, this forum has cut a lot of time and headache from my learning curve. I've seen CD's on Ebay for $20 on how to start a WSR biz, but I think this place is by far the best resource I have found. Kudos to Delta and all the WSR tech's!!