Administration Fees and Storage
The subject of administrative fees continually comes up in our office as a fee that’s disputed by some insurance companies. How can we get them to pay?
Who Pays for Parts That Don’t Fit?
Is there a form we can create that will make the insurance company pay for both parts if the aftermarket will not fit correctly and we have to buy OEM?
What Should I Charge for Feather, Prime and Block?
We’ve begun charging for feather, prime and block, but we’re not sure what the labor times should be per area or the material rate. Is there a place I can find rates in my area or do you know what the average would be?
Replace or Not Replace?
When a question to repair or replace arises, especially one where distinct liability concerns exist, I firmly believe that if one is to err, they should err on the side of caution.
Is It Illegal to Deviate from an Insurer’s Estimate?
If an insurer pays a customer to do certain repairs and the customer doesn’t want certain things done, is it illegal for the collision repairer to not repair or replace something the insurer has paid for?
Who Polices Auto Insurer Call Centers?
I’ve lost many potential repairs due to State Farm’s strong-arm tactics steering customers to their choice of repair centers instead of the customer’s. So my question is, ‘Who, if anyone, polices these call centers?’
Auto Damage Experts’ Barrett Smith to Coach and Consult Three-C Body Shops
Three-C owner Bob Juniper says he has generated and continues to generate tens of thousands of dollars in profits by employing suggestions shared through Barrett’s email distribution lists.
Insurance Refusal to Pay Storage Fees
We paid the towing fees to bring a customer’s classic vehicle to our facility for restoration. The customer declined to go ahead with the job. The vehicle has been in our possession since Dec. 8, 2014, and the customer has failed to pick up the vehicle. What can we do?
All May Not Be Lost in Judge’s Dismissal of Florida Collision Repairers’ Lawsuits
Barrett Smith of Auto Damage Experts, Inc., discusses his thoughts on the news of Florida’s courts dismissing the multi-district lawsuit against insurers.
Another Party’s Negligence Caused My Rates to Go Up!
As a result of me making a claim through my own carrier, even though my wife was not at fault, I’ve been advised that we have lost our ‘Safe Driver’s Discount’ and will not be receiving the 25 percent annual discount we received for a period of the next three years. This doesn’t seem right. What can I do?
How Do I Get an Insurer to Pay for Proper Repairs?
The short answer is, you can’t make the insurance company do anything! Actually, the insurance company doesn’t owe your customer a single penny! Allow me to explain as briefly as possible.
What Can I Do to Get a Higher Labor Rate?
Labor rates in our area have been the same for the past five years or more, and when I asked the insurers for an increase, I was told that I couldn’t get one because I was being paid what everyone else in my area was being paid. I’m barely getting by, so what can I do?