New York: Car Repair Shops Can Rebate Deductibles

April 22, 2008

  • April 23, 2008 at 9:31 am
    Fred, says:
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    [b]””Post On: April 22, 2008, 6:22 pm CDT
    Post By: Jake

    Comment:
    The idea of a deductable is to put some responsibility of damage back on the consumer. The higher responsibility level chosen, the lower the premium will be charged. Repair shops hiding the deductible’s should be penalized for further pushing this economy in the wrong direction. If a repairer wants to get more business, they should do excellent work and maintain a great reputation in the communities they work in. “”[/b]

    Hey Jake…

    Point 1 … The idea of a deductible is to Discourage insured’s from filing a Claim. Lets say one has an $1000.oo deductible and suffers $1289.oo in damage. At the risk of paying a higher rate or worse, being canceled, is an insured likely to file a claim to recover $289.oo?? In the end, that $1000.oo deductible became an $1289.00 deductible.

    In this scenario the insured paid for insurance but effectively didn’t have insurance because they would likely pay the entire cost out of pocket. Nice, real slick on the insurer’s part.

    Point 2 … The one’s further pushing this economy in the wrong direction are the Over paid upper layer of Corporate Executives that, through lucrative Stock Options, are raiding the Company Profits by using these options to Transfer these profits into their personal Bank Accounts. Again.. Nice, real slick on the insurer’s part. (and other Billion $$ companies.)

    Point 3 … When a repairer tries to get more business, by doing excellent work and maintaining a great reputation in the communities they work in, they Must receive an higher scale of pay to cover the expense of using better quality *Parts* & *Materials*, and a whole lot more. Now here’s the Rub..! When the insurance companies see this Better Shop charging what is needed to be the “Better Shop” they (the insurers) will effectively black-ball this shop and use every conceivable method they can think of to *STEER* any and all consumers away from this “Better Shop” that does all Necessary & Reasonable repairs in a Profession manor. Why you ask?? Because no matter how much an insurer profits… its never enough!! And they will beat down any Doctor, Hospital, Contractor, and Body Repair Shop that gets in their way.

    Fred,

  • April 23, 2008 at 10:39 am
    Fred, says:
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    “” By: Dread

    Comment:

    Helping people avoid their financial responsibility only fosters the mentality of getting something for nothing. They want lower rates so they take larger deductibles. Then, they don’t want to have to pay them so the shops conjure up this bogus scheme to get more people in the door. Those “rebated” deductible don’t just fall off trees. They’re hard dollars no shop has the margin to cover. The only plausible way to do it is to inflate the estimate. People just don’t get it. They think they’re getting something for nothing. In the end (literally and figuratively) they’re paying for this through higher premiums.””

    ——————-

    Dread,

    I somewhat agree that the insurer’s conjure up this bogus scheme to get more people in the door. Those “rebated” deductibles that some insurer’s are advertising currently don’t just fall off trees. The only plausible way to do it is to inflate the Premiums.

    And to make matters worse… the add another $100 for each year (up to 5) without a claim hurts those that go for Decades without an accident. How so…?? Well… if an insured has an accident every 5 years over a twenty year period they will have been forgiven $2000.oo, while during that same 20 years the other insured has one accident they are forgiven $500.oo?? Seems a little backward to me.

    Fred,

  • April 23, 2008 at 11:27 am
    Hey Fred says:
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    Point 1: The insured chooses what deductible they want. Poor example on your part.
    Point 2: Don’t single out insurance cos. Most companies are like that, take your pick.
    Point 3: I know of a lot of high end shops that don’t rebate deductibles and have all the work they can handle because of their reputation for quality work.
    Point 4: Apparently you are not in the insurance industry.

  • April 24, 2008 at 8:29 am
    Fred, says:
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    Response To: Hey Fred
    Comment:

    Point 1: The insured chooses what deductible they want. Poor example on your part.

    [[“The idea of a deductible is to Discourage insured’s from filing a Claim”.

    So an insured gets to choose the $$ amount of Discouragement he/she wishes to endure.

    What was your point??

    Now that you mention it… isn’t it interesting that the less an insured can afford to pay for insurance the Higher an Deductible they need choose in order to lower Premiums so they fit their limited budget. Which further discourages (no prohibits) them from filing a Claim. ]]

    Point 2: Don’t single out insurance cos. Most companies are like that, take your pick.

    [[ Did you miss this part?? “(and other Billion $$ companies.)” Sure I put Insurer’s up front, but then isn’t this Article about insurance?? ]]

    Point 3: I know of a lot of high end shops that don’t rebate deductibles and have all the work they can handle because of their reputation for quality work.

    [[ Are you referring to Luxury / Exotic automobiles. If so the reason is because the insurer’s don’t have other shops to STEER consumers too. ]]

    Point 4: Apparently you are not in the insurance industry.

    [[ What… because one can see through questionable tactics, it somehow implies they can’t be on the inside of this industry?? ]]

    On the positive end, at least you tried to respond.

    Thanks for the dialog.

    Fred,

    PS, What’s your Name?

  • April 25, 2008 at 7:13 am
    Fred, says:
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    Jake,

    “why should anyone be able to buy a $500 or $1k deductible at a reduced rate be able to have the same loss with the same damage as someone that has paied the higher premium for the zero deductible and have the claims examiner write a check out for the same amount to be paid to both customers?”

    Where did that come from?? I’ve re-read this Thread and can’t find any reference to such a thing as you just presented.

    But, anyway, Here is a thought. Instead of a Deductible, wouldn’t a “minimum claim” be more consumer friendly?? With a minimum claim one would have to reach that amount of a loss before filing a claim. But, when the minimum has been met, the insurer pays the full amount. A minimum claim would eliminate nuance claims much like the Deductible does, while at the same time not be a punishing to the consumer when losses exceed their ability to pay.

    ==============

    “The fact is that insurance companies are one of the most highly state regulated companies and if we as insurance companies were doing something wrong, there are very heavy penalties.”

    That may be true, but, with the current lack of enforcement and when something is enforced the DOI’s insignificant fines are barely a hand-slap.

    The following excerpt from a speech by Ernst Csiszar, [ Vice President National Association of Insurance Commissioners] back in oct. 2003 said a lot.

    “Why Are Insurance Companies and Agents Regulated?

    As the Senate Commerce Committee evaluates state insurance regulation, members of the NAIC hope you will start by asking the fundamental question: “Why are insurance companies and agents regulated in the United States?” Government regulation of insurance companies and agents began in the states well over a century ago for one overriding reason – to protect consumers. [[ Our most important consumer protection is to assure that insurers remain solvent ]] so they can meet their obligations to pay claims, as recently evidenced in the aftermath of September 11th and Hurricane Isabel. Beyond that, states supervise insurance sales and marketing practices, as well as policy terms and conditions, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly when they purchase insurance products and file claims.”

    Above [[Brackets]] were added by me to highlight what was likely the Core component. And boy, have they ever done a great job of keeping the Insurance Industry very, very Wealthy. err Solvent.

    As for catastrophic losses… does Re-insurance ring any bells?? Think *Katrina* The worst disaster ever in the United States, and the Top insurer’s are still showing Record Profits??

    As I’ve read the stories and followed the Trials that followed… well its just plan sickening. :-( So please don’t go there with the *Poor Insurer* lines.

    ===============

    “About your part 3:
    just like any type of business in this world, if you want more business, you have to portray a valuable image to the public. Maybe instead of inflating repair orders in an effort to hide deductibles, repair shops could take action that is good for the community, advertise, sponsor the local baseball team, ask for referrals, and network a little…..all these things will increase the shops visibility and reputation, thus getting more business in the door.”

    You are correct… that is how it works in a Free Market… Free of Insurer dominance. But in the real world, Medical and Repair industries are under the thumb of insurers and the above only happens if one has a Niche Business or they play by the Third Party (insurers) Rules.

    Hey we are getting a bit deeper into this subject than needed on a Public Board.

    Its been interesting.

    Fred,

  • April 25, 2008 at 7:36 am
    Fred, says:
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    Well Hey Fred.

    First I’d like to say that your parents had quite a sense of humor when they picked you name..!! :-)

    As for your question

    “how would you respond to a $1,200 loss and a $500 deductible?”

    I don’t understand what your asking. Would you reword, add a bit more detail, or offer a premise??

    Fred,

  • April 25, 2008 at 7:44 am
    Hey Fred says:
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    Glad you like it! :-)

    As for a different deductible level, I was using your example:

    The idea of a deductible is to Discourage insured’s from filing a Claim. Lets say one has an $1000.oo deductible and suffers $1289.oo in damage. At the risk of paying a higher rate or worse, being canceled, is an insured likely to file a claim to recover $289.oo?? In the end, that $1000.oo deductible became an $1289.00 deductible.

    In this scenario the insured paid for insurance but effectively didn’t have insurance because they would likely pay the entire cost out of pocket.

    So, what would your answer be with a $500 deductible?

  • April 25, 2008 at 7:56 am
    Jake says:
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    Fred,

    Yes insured’s do get to choose there deductible in personal lines insurance. Depending on the coverage (comprehensive only) they can choose, and pay for in premium $$, a zero deductible. With that being said, why should anyone be able to buy a $500 or $1k deductible at a reduced rate be able to have the same loss with the same damage as someone that has paied the higher premium for the zero deductible and have the claims examiner write a check out for the same amount to be paid to both customers?

    Just because the insurance industry has billion $$ companies does that mean that they have the extra money to just give out in lue of deductibles? NO, it means that that Billion $$ company has many more customers and in fact will be at a higher risk bf loosing money in situations like this. You act like just because there are billion $$ companies in the industry that they industry is shady. The fact is that insurance companies are one of the most highly state regulated companies and if we as insurance companies were doing something wrong, there are very heavy penalties.

    About your part 3:
    just like any type of business in this world, if you want more business, you have to portray a valuable image to the public. Maybe instead of inflating repair orders in an effort to hide deductibles, repair shops could take action that is good for the community, advertise, sponsor the local baseball team, ask for referrals, and network a little…..all these things will increase the shops visibility and reputation, thus getting more business in the door.

    Lastly your involvement in the industry:
    I am sure you are in the indusrty, but as to what part??? I’d say you are a public adjuster….let me know because now i’m interested.

  • April 25, 2008 at 9:10 am
    Fred, says:
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    .
    .
    .

    “how would you respond to a $1,200 loss and a $500 deductible?”

    “So, what would your answer be with a $500 deductible?”

    Answer to what?? Whether a person would file a claim for the $700 ? Well that would be each persons individual decision based on their personal financial situation.

    Fred,

  • April 25, 2008 at 12:29 pm
    Hey Fred says:
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    Hi Fred, Jake’s comments are excellent. As for your example, how would you respond to a $1,200 loss and a $500 deductible?
    As for high end shop, it did not ever occur to me about luxury/exotic cars. I was thinking more in the GM/Ford/Toyota range, you know, regular everyday cars. The shops I had in mind do an excellent job in repairing all types of vehicles without rebating deductibles. They have the reputation they have because of quality work and service.
    Oh, and my name is “Hey Fred”.



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