Doing Insurance Jobs and not being on the Network...

[AutoEgo]

I've talked to a few folks that say the networks are a waste of time. I know they aren't going to give me but maybe 5 or 6 referrals in a year if I'm lucky. Why not do the job and forward the invoice to the clients Agent. I know this happens and the folks I have spoken with about it say they typically get paid within 30 days. Some have even said they make more money this way. They charge more because when you go through the Safelite or Lynx network the agents loss ratio gets hit with 80 to 100 dollars and we get paid 60. Most agents won't balk at 70 bucks when they get an invoice directly. I would love to hear your thoughts. This will directly effect one of my marketing strategies.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Sean

[AutoEgo]

If you are direct billing networks, are you verifying coverage with the clients agent or that insurance companies network? If you are sending the bill directly to the agent, are you asking if they are ok with this ahead of time or are you just verifying coverage and mailing the bill to the agent? I have looked all over the old posts for answers to these questions and can't find what I'm looking for. I promise, I looked before I posted!

again, any help is greatly appreciated,

Sean

[mepoozer]

Hi Sean, I don't know if this helps but I have submitted one invoice to American Family Ins. which goes thru SGC Network. I faxed it to them and it took aboiut a month to recieve payment but it was worth it to deal directly with them. I don't know for sure if this is right to do. From what I have read on here some people are going to spend $500.00 in a program for the computer to do billing, unless I misunderstood the posting. I found it very simple to do myself and at this point, see no reason for a middle man. Like I said though, I'm new to this also. As far as referrals from insurance companies- I'm not holding my breath and have better prospects than their referrals. Maybe not the right way to look at things but we'll see... Hope this may help! Me, Good Luck to all!!!!!

[desertstars]

AutoEgo.

Where did you come from and how did you get SO smart SO fast?

Wait until you see the replies to this one but nothing right now from me for sure. I'm too busy laughing.

If you don't get any replies, which I seriously doubt, contact me by email.

Sean.

Your post was a delight to read. You are one cut- through- the- b/s guy and the common sense you imparted in a short post made my past comments on that topic look like a neverending, Boris Pasternak triology.

I'll leave it to others to answer your question.

But, whatever happens, hang in there and see what you started.

You, Sean, are a breath of fresh air and most especially if you are new to this business.

We need a lot more like you.

Jim

[mepoozer]

Autoego- Maybe this will help you, I don't know. When I called the insurance company to get the approval to do the repair they gave me a refference number that I used on my invoice along with all the other pertinent info-like Vin.#, date of loss, agent name and number, etcc. I faxed it to the number they gave me. I followed up to make sure they recieved the fax and all I had to give them was the refferal number and they told me what stage the payment was at...I make sure and have the insured right there to talk to the agent cause they usually ask to speak to them also. After talking to both of us they give the reference number, I do the job and submit it....Hope this helps- Me

[AutoEgo]

I was the sales manager for Diamond Auto Glass for 3 years. I have been in marketing and sales for about 16 years and feel I have a pretty decent grasp of the glass business in general. That was for you DesertStars. Hope that cleared where I got the General knowledge from lol.

As for my questions. That really didn't help me much. I'm curious how you go about handling the setup of the claim.

1. If you are NOT on the network, do you verify coverage with the clients agent or the network itself?

2. If you do go through the network are they willing to just hand over referral numbers to someone not on the network or do they do everything in their power to steal the job!

3. After verifying the glass deductible, whether it's through the agent or the network, is it easier to send the bill to the clients agent or to the network? I would think the agent would be more inclined to get this taken care of for his client than the network that really doesn

[AutoEgo]

Almost 40 views and 5 posts. 3 of em by me. I know ya'll have to have some insight on this. All I'm askin for is just a little bit of HELP!

Thanks,

Sean

[Repair1]

Very good post!

However I guess I

[MusicMan]

I am new to this so someone correct me if this is wrong, but you can bill direct without the network as long as you don't mind.

1. Staying in contact with the agent
2. Not getting paid for work done evey now and then

I don't think someone is going to come scold you for going directly to the source. Will They??

[glassdoctor]

Musicman

Sometimes submitting your bill to the insurance agent works fine. It used to be this simple back in the day. Ten years ago I would just call the person's local agent and they would say "ok, send us the bill"

This still happens, but it's not the "norm".

What often happens now though, is that even if you walk into an agents office and hand them a bill, they take it and run it through their insurance company's network. The check comes from the network, not directly form the insurance co.

This isn't a big deal as long as you get paid... the bottom line.

But it can be more difficult. You are at the mercy of the agent, and sometimes they don't want to lift a finger to help you. I have had agents refuse to get involved, and they just say to call the network and deal with it yourself. No kidding. The networks want it this way and they try to get the insurance agents to play along.

Local agents that go to bat for their customers are good to deal with for us. But some agents either don't care or they're just lazy. So, sometimes we are on our own with the network.

Still, you don't have to sign up with the networks to bill them. They just make it a hassle if you don't.