[jwholden]

What is your policy regarding calls looking for an estimate for an insurance claim?

I have gotten three calls in my life looking for an estimate on an insurance claim. It seems that most are looking for a high estimate so they can do it themself and pocket the money. That's fine, but I feel it is time to start charging for insurance claim estimates.

Has anyone decided to say 'no thanks' to insurance claim estimates or charge an hourly rate for them? Will charging lose the 'good will' I develop with my possible future customers?

[scl]

JW, I have had 3 in my 8 years. The first 2 I did the est. for free and got them both, the last one , last season, I told them that i charged for insurance estimates, and they walked away. No biggie to me, but I think you have to charge. I believe that the insurance company is responsible for the charge, but I could be wrong!

[Dale Wiley]

Our interview process will bring this out, plus after 27 years, I can tell by the tone of the voice. It seems when the most honest person is going to get an insurance settlement, they just walk around with dollar signs in their eyes.

Landscape work can always be fudged or ignored. If they smash your living room wall down that's different.

$ 150 payable at the site visit for a handwritten estimate. Most of them never follow throught.

I have never done an insurance job in 28 years in this business.

[Bill Schwab]

We charge $250.00 to a credit card for any type of consulation written estimate or alike. The entire amount is credited to the job invoice when it generates into a job, the time for the estimate is then recovered through overhead. They get up to 2 hours of time, driving to the site, consulation of service, and time to generate and E-mail a written estimate. Paper estimates on company stationary are $50.00 per copy. Those printers cost allot of money these days.

This will protect you for that person who thinks they are smarter than you by wasting your time, submitting your invoice to the insurance company, never having any intention of using you in the first place. What usually occurs is the damage never gets fixed, or they pocket the money and make a weekend project out of, spending what they were paid at their chiropractor after they did the job.

People who get all torqued out of shape when I tell them I need that would never have bought our services in the first place.

[Lanelle]

I also endorse charging for insurance estimates. Since the situation is often an unusual mess it warrants a sizable charge for figuring out the repair/replacement costs. Bill is right to figure that a lot of time will be wasted on these calls. You 'get' to listen to the tale of woe on the phone and then again when you show up at the site. This is a case of 'just say no.' People don't follow through with getting the work done.

[trees]

I agree. Got to charge for it. It's usually pretty clear early on in a conversation that someone's looking for an insurance estimate. Most times when money comes up, they simply say goodby...

[Matt Kulp]

I have done insurance estimates for free in the past, however we actually only got 1 out of the 5 we did last year. I agree on charging for them, unless it is for a current customer that I know will be serious about the work.

[jwholden]

I posted this because of a call I got about an insurance estimate yesterday. I called back and left a message that I have to charge for the estimate to cover the cost of driving out and my time (not as professional as getting someone on the phone, but better than blowing them off). I went with a $75 flat fee (modest in my opinion). I left it in their court to call back if they would like to proceed. The phone has been silent....