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PDR – Dealing with insurance companies

Without doubt, insurance companies play a vital role in the financial viability of PDR dominating almost the entire customer base. All customers ranging from the general public, panel beating, car yards, auctions and sub-contractors are associated in some ways with insurance companies with relatively minimal direct private work.

Given their important role, insurance companies should be considered an essential part of all aspects in the planning and operation of the business. It is inevitable that the business setup must reflect or incorporate some of the regulations imposed by insurance companies. Providing life time warranties, business ethics and operational procedures associated with the quotation process are the main connection. It is anticipated that you have a clean and appropriate workshop satisfying the guidelines of Occupational Health and Safety to even consider allocations of work. And of course, quality assurance is expected at a reasonable price.

Apart from your work, your ways of dealing with assessors as occasionally arrogant and unfair as they may seem is extremely important in building relationships. Exchange business cards and call them to see how things are progressing but without the pressure. Show some form of understanding and appreciation for their work. In negotiating with them, don’t get into a slanging match if you are not in agreement or if the pricing seems ridiculous. Assessors are under pressure from their own companies to limit pricing and it is always a balancing act. Sometimes winning that first job is an important relationship builder.

Business Proposals

Probably a way to promote your company on a grand scale is to write a proposal in terms of some partnership with the insurance company. The proposal has to be professional and at the level of current industry standards and format. This could be your one chance to get through or let them know who you are and what you can do for them. Within this chance, without selling yourself too short, the offer has to provide for them something they cannot simply refuse. Selling yourself too short may be detrimental to your business in the long term so carefully plan what you can afford to provide. An excellent resource with a breakdown of does and don’t in a business proposal is How to Write an Absolutely Irresistible Business Proposal. Try search for samples but remember not business letters but business proposals.