insurer relations Archives - Page 16 of 17 - BodyShop Business
OE Direct: Friend or Foe?

OED discounts OE parts, making them more appealing to the insurance industry and benefiting the repairer, who might have otherwise had to use aftermarket. But the forced vendor relationships, erosion of parts profits and possible insurer involvement are raising repairer eyebrows and concerns.

Pump Up the Volume

Can you increase volume by 35 percent without compromising quality while still working within insurance companies’ guidelines? This shop manager says, “Yes.”

DRPs: Our Business Skills

Stop the finger pointing. How well we do in this trade has a lot more to do with our business skills than with how “bad” insurers are. In fact, direct-repair programs have, dare I say it, made many shops more efficient and profitable. It was more than 40 years ago, but I still remember sitting

Blindsided: Blind Claim Audits

Blind dates are a whole lot more fun – at least you get to meet the other party,” says a California shop owner about blind claims audits. Not familiar with the term “blind claim audit”? How about “desk review”? A thorn by any other name still hurts just as badly – and, in this case,

Blind Claims Auditors: A Deal’s a Deal?

In one of my favorite films, Fargo, the general sales manager of a new car dealership is on the phone with the slime balls he conspired with to kidnap his own wife. Upon learning the circumstances had changed and the villains wanted more of the ransom, the sales manager/husband played by William Macy exclaims: "Hey,

Supply & Demand: A Misunderstood Concept

Insurers offer volume in return for lower prices. But volume discounts do NOT apply to labor.

You Get What You Tolerate

“Shop owner Jeff Delana asks, “How do I get the insurer to pay for the complete repair of the vehicle without non-stop faxing and adjusters coming and going for ridiculous and obvious damage approvals?”

Parts, Policies and Patsies

Shop manager Bradley Wooten asks why American Family Insurance is getting by using strictly used or A/M parts.

Just Say “No”

Will shop owners tolerate a reduction of paint-time allowances?

Would You Join a DRP Like Progressive’s Concierge Program?

mad or they might shut you down. We’d be a part of the insurance industry, not the auto collision industry. If all insurers went with this type of program, it would destroy our industry as we know it. My mother said change is good, but in this case, I’m not sure it’s good at all.

Steering Customers to the Truth

Collision repair and auto glass specialists continue to suffer discrimination at the hands of insurance companies as well as government agencies.

Point – Counterpoint

Are Double Standards OK, Depending Who’s Paying the Bill?