in most cases, these are usually the small companies that might be pointing in the direction they are. most major companies do have guaranteed shops and promote them, but they don’t discourage you from going to a repair shop of your choice. i don’t that this is prevalent as it is making it out to be.
The only company that I deal with that has something simular to this has it arranged where if you use one of their suggested shops, they’ll guarantee the repairs. So if something in the repaired area breaks again due to a faulty repair, they’ll take care of it with no additional charge to the insured. But if you opt to go to your own mechanic they’ll just pay the claim, but without that same repair guarantee.
Recommending shops to a policyholder is a win-win for insurance companies and consumers. I have worked insurance claims with multiple auto carriers for 35 years and can attest to the fact that there is no conspiracy here. All attorneys would have you believe that insurance companies are evil scammers. (talk about the pot calling the kettle black). Fact is, most consumers don’t know a thing about how to select a shop and have no leverage when the work isn’t done properly.
Preferred shops are checked out carefully and held to high standards in return for good service, quality work, and lifetime guarantees. They are regularly re-inspected and have an incentive to keep the business relationship. Insurance carriers attempt to LEGITIMATELY control costs to keep premiums down. That’s simply good business. Being un-educated when it comes to auto body repair, the consumer should trust the company and stay out of the process. There are plenty of options to pursue if the work isn’t done to their satisfaction.
Why is this any different than health insurance companies insisting you use their network of doctors and hospitals to control costs? seems to me like everyone wins.
1. Garages who can’t/won’t meet the carrier’s quality and turn-around time requirements complaining.
2. Garages who want to charge whatever they can complaining.
3. AG’s with too much time on their hand$.
4. Elections coming up?
… Blumenthal go back on Beck to explain why this makes sense. Other than “How are you?” Dick looks like to fool that he is. If you missed it, see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goNw7cu1G3g&feature=related
in most cases, these are usually the small companies that might be pointing in the direction they are. most major companies do have guaranteed shops and promote them, but they don’t discourage you from going to a repair shop of your choice. i don’t that this is prevalent as it is making it out to be.
The only company that I deal with that has something simular to this has it arranged where if you use one of their suggested shops, they’ll guarantee the repairs. So if something in the repaired area breaks again due to a faulty repair, they’ll take care of it with no additional charge to the insured. But if you opt to go to your own mechanic they’ll just pay the claim, but without that same repair guarantee.
Have you ever seen a written copy OF that “Insurer’s Warranty”?
Do you wonder why no one has?
Recommending shops to a policyholder is a win-win for insurance companies and consumers. I have worked insurance claims with multiple auto carriers for 35 years and can attest to the fact that there is no conspiracy here. All attorneys would have you believe that insurance companies are evil scammers. (talk about the pot calling the kettle black). Fact is, most consumers don’t know a thing about how to select a shop and have no leverage when the work isn’t done properly.
Preferred shops are checked out carefully and held to high standards in return for good service, quality work, and lifetime guarantees. They are regularly re-inspected and have an incentive to keep the business relationship. Insurance carriers attempt to LEGITIMATELY control costs to keep premiums down. That’s simply good business. Being un-educated when it comes to auto body repair, the consumer should trust the company and stay out of the process. There are plenty of options to pursue if the work isn’t done to their satisfaction.
Why is this any different than health insurance companies insisting you use their network of doctors and hospitals to control costs? seems to me like everyone wins.
1. Garages who can’t/won’t meet the carrier’s quality and turn-around time requirements complaining.
2. Garages who want to charge whatever they can complaining.
3. AG’s with too much time on their hand$.
4. Elections coming up?