A pretty good article on BSB.
Dispells a few of those "anti-trust" rumors too.


Dirty Little Secret No. 3:
Shops Can Steer Too
http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/bbed1.htm

Another good find Mark1. I found this to be the most interesting comments the article said:Quote

"It would probably be best for a group survey not to ask what particular insurers pay for a labor rate, what particular procedures they pay for or how much they pay for storage. These are all factors that really go to the amounts charged by individual shops, i.e. the parts and service prices that individual shops are supposed to decide on their own.
An interesting question that arises is whether or not you can request concessions from insurers in exchange for placing them on your preferred carrier list. That may depend on your particular state’s laws. But, as long as the concessions you’re looking for are legal, you probably can at least ask.

Would an insurer guarantee in writing to pay your labor rate in exchange for being listed by you as a good company to deal with? Would they agree to expedite your customers’ claims by, for example, agreeing to send an appraiser within 24 hours of a supplement request?"

Good article.
Interesting question.