Safelite Increases Invoice Charges

Safelite Solutions, the third-party administrator arm of Safelite Auto Glass and a division of Belron US, has increased its fees for invoicing, effective September 22, 2008. The announcement was made to network shops via e-mail this week.

According to the announcement, the company will now charge a $15 fee for replacements submitted via mail or fax, and a $12 fee for repairs. No fees will be rendered to those submitting invoices via EDI or online.

In addition, the company will now deduct a one percent fee from those who request payment via manual check.

Belron US spokesperson Jenny Cain could not comment on the new charges and was looking into the reasoning behind these changes at press time.

Auto Glass Menders owner Neil Duffy, who also authors a glassBYTEs.com blog, says he thinks the fees are mainly a way to encourage use of the EDI system.

"These fees are a way to streamline billing practices, forcing the use of EDI, which is costly if one doesn't do a volume of business in insurance," he says.

Mike Lattomus of Union Auto Glass of Delaware wasn't surprised by the charges.

"They are what they are," he says.

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