Authorization forms

[Allen S.]

I'd like to say hello to everyone here. I am new to this forum and the WSR business and very much appreciate Delta's providing this and all of the knowledge that you fellow entreprenuers are willing to share. Thank you! Also a big THANKS to Jeff with Delta for taking time out of what i'm sure is a busy schedule to address some of my questions prior to purchasing a new Delta kit(which should be here in the morning). I have been an insurance relacement roofing contractor for approximately 15 years and look forward very much to the WSR business. I have been reading this forum for about a week now and impressed with the COMRADERE THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO SHARE(does'nt exist like this in the roofing business). I plan on operating my WSR business from a "TENT LOCATION", and I know it's a different animal, but am used to billing insurance companies myself with roofing. My QUESTION is when i am at my location and have a ready and willing ins. customer what type of form (Authorization) do i use or what context does it need to contain? Or, i know it may be not worth the trouble to some of ya'll but may i see sample of what ya'll use?
I apologize for the lengthy post, but you're help would greatly be appreciated.

[glassdoctor]

WSR is a bit different. In a way, there is no authorization form... at least not for use at the time of repair. The authorization occurs via a phone call to the insurance agent, claims office, or the ins. co's network of choice that handles their glass claims. After the phone call, you just send in the your invoice with the required info on it... vin #, policy #, etc...

If a network is involved, then you will get a fax from them. you can fill it out when you get back to "the office" at home.

It's really a pretty simple process most of the time. With non-network insurance jobs, it's more like a handshake deal than a fancy contract.

[maxryde]

Hey Allen, Welcome an goodluck
You said you were going to tent it and I think this is a good approach to start. If you use a claim service like ACT they will give you a copy of the form they use and you can adjust it to meet your needs. The reason I suggest a service is the time you save on paperwork pays for itself if you use the time on repairwork!! Since you are new, concentrate on learning the ins and outs of performing Quality repairs for a while and the billing thing can be followed up on later. I aggree direct billing is the way to go in the long run but in the tent arena you'll make a better living in the feild and the $ are well spent when you consider the overall outcome. If you would like to PM me and I'll go into greater detail. Once again best of luck, Scott 8)

[GlassStarz]

I also use the ACT form (when I even bother to use a form) Just call em give the phone to the customer and go to work they will do all the follow-up and call the insurance companys when a bill is delayed to track it they only get paid if you get paid . Yes you do pay a premium for the service but damn is it easy and paperwork free. In most buisnesses the cost of paperwork and billing fax machines computors etc is 25% or better ACT


Hydroponics worked for me

[desertstars]

Hey, Allen.

The "comarade" you refer to doesn't really exist in fact.

It's an illusion.

Get us all in the same city and we'd be chopping each other off at the knees.

Welcome a broad.

Oops, mis-spelling.

Welcome aboard.

Incidentally, Allen, how did you make sure that the insurance comapanies did NOT send the roofing repair reimbursement check to your customer instead of to you directly?

Did you always draw up a mechanic's lien or some other contract to obviate the necessity of chasing someone who cashed and spent the check?

Was there some assurance that once the customer signed off on the job that YOU were paid DIRECTLY and without a countersignature or dual payee?

I've simplified this but I think you know what I'm talking about. It directly affects the WSR business when it comes to direct billing more often than not.

Enlighten me, if you will.

[Allen S.]

I thank each of you for the replies and information. Maxryde it is late this evening and I would like to talk to you more in depth about this, so possibly tomorrow if it is convenient for you. Desertstars, in response to your question, YES, we have contingency agreements with the insured, but most importantly a document which is called an ASSIGNMENT. I can't possibly go into detail about all of this, but I will let you know as far as dealing with the insurance companies you are in the driver seat (you better believe it). there are some things that I can help with, this all seems to be screwy(these networks) could'nt understand this until just recently after viewing all the postings on this topic. I'm sorry but it is late and will continue tomorrow in further detail.

[desertstars]

Thanks for your reply, Allen.

When you get a chance, please elaborate on the "assignment" and how it might apply to our direct billing problems.

Even when I have a direct "assignment" letter signed by the customer(s), the insurance companies still play games now and then by either sending the check to the customer or sending the invoice onto the network(s) for payment to us.

In short, the arrogant bastards ignore direct requests as though they never existed in the first place.

Apparently, insurance companies hire people that can't read hard copy and if those employees are accidentally capable of doing so, they haven't managed to combine reading and comprehension.

(The latter creates a particular problem when we charge more than a network.)

The insurance companies seem intent on playing games and I intend to beat them at their own game.

I love a good fight.

[Coitster]

As for the comment that Desert loves beating the insurance companies at their own games I for one am one of his biggest chearing sections. =D> =D> =P~ I sure hope he gets more money by not being on the network, you are entitled to is. Being on the network we have to agree to whatever the insurance companies pay. Thats why many glass companies aren't part of the networks. I had a nice guy ride with me today and as I was explaining the networks and what they are, and how we are paid he asked me a simple question. If you can't get on the network unless you have been in business a year how can you bill them and what to charge.

I let him know that all he needed was a fax machine and that he could also charge more by not being on the list. He gave me one of these looks. And decided that if he could make more money by not being on the network he was going to direct bill them. So you see guys even though a lot of us are on the networks you don't have to be. I prefer it for my situation, however it isn't for everyone. Desert has great success and isn't on the network, and I applaud him for that. =D> My first 10 years in this business I direct billed, so its purley a matter of choice. Again WTG DesertStars.
David
Coitster