Resolving Shop/Insurer Conflicts...Peacefully South Portland ME

Many shop owners complain that insurance companies aren't allowing them to make a living. How is it, then, that so many other shop owners are working with insurers successfully?

By John Padula
10/1/1999

As I was discussing with a fellow shop owner one of the numerous problems that plague our industry, his response to me was, "Oh, well, there's really nothing we can do."

What a defeatist point of view, I thought. No wonder why we, as collision shop owners, can't seem to get ahead.

Have you ever wondered how some shops turn out higher-caliber work than others, seem to always be repairing new- and late-model automobiles and have some of the nicer, high-tech facilities? Have you ever considered that it's because they've managed to overcome many of the obstacles most shop owners only complain about and accept as costs of doing business?

You know the types of obstacles I'm talking about:
1. "We don't pay to R&I."
2. "We don't pay to color, sand and buff."
3. "We only pay to color, sand and buff flat surfaces (not side surfaces)."
4. "We cap our materials at ... "
5. "We don't pay for ______. It's included in your overhead." (English translation: We don't pay for your overhead because it's not what the prevailing competitive price is.)
6. "We want you to know, Mr. Consumer, that we can't help you with your claim if you take your car to XYZ Body Shop because they're not on our 'reference list.' &...