Category Archives: Windshield Repair

Windshield Repair Windshield Replacement

Be Aware of Your Insurance Options When in Need of Windshield Repair or Replacement

Published by: lemon

windshield-with-hail-damage

Whenever you find a crack or chip in your windshield, it can be a frustrating experience to consider what will need to be done to fix the problem. The same can be said for extensive damage to the windshield that will most likely result in a replacement of the glass. In both of these circumstances, the costs can quickly add up if you have to pay for these services out of pocket. Fortunately, most comprehensive auto insurance policies carry coverage for these occasions, meaning that you will need to be very little – if anything – to have these repairs or replacements performed. Unfortunately, there can be some fine print and unethical practices on the part of insurance companies when you need one of these services. Visit http://www.autoglass-atlanta.com/ for more information.

Most insurance companies have a business strategy that requires them to muddy the waters as much as possible for customers in order to make money off of them. In the case of auto glass repair jobs, there are plenty of insurance companies that use questionable tactics to accomplish this. If you have recently spotted damage on your windshield or need a completely new one installed, then you will want to continue reading to find out about your options and how to avoid a less than optimal experience with an auto glass repair shop and your insurance company.

The Most Common Scenario

If you currently have comprehensive auto insurance coverage and are suddenly in need of auto glass services, there is a good chance that your repairs or replacement services are covered by your insurance. This is a fairly straightforward process and results in all or the majority of the costs being absorbed by the insurance provider. In many cases, a claim is filed by the company or yourself prior to services being rendered, with the auto glass company being reimbursed by your insurance after the job is complete. Since this is one of the most basic auto insurance elements provided, it is virtually certain that your repairs will be covered if you have full coverage insurance.

Choosing a Repair Company

windshield-replacement-technicians-at-workIt is highly recommended that you do some research and contact several auto glass repair shops in your area before you contact your insurance company. Each auto glass repair shop will be able to confirm whether or not they accept your auto insurance. Auto Glass Atlanta LLC works with LYNX Services and Safelite Glass Claims which work as processing companies for most major insurance companies. Once this process has been completed, you may then contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. Only after you have picked the desired auto glass shop for your repairs should you contact your insurance: why is that?

Unfortunately, many unsuspecting customers will contact their auto insurance companies first, in the hopes that they will provide a list of auto glass repair shops that are covered under their policies. While any insurance company will provide this service, they often leave out auto glass shops that will result in higher costs to them. This can result in a lower quality of work being performed on your vehicle. Most auto insurance policies are accepted by most auto glass repair shops, so you should always initiate contact with the repair shop before you take the advice of the insurance company.

National Warranty Excuses

There is a national warranty that exists on every insurance policy in regards to auto glass repairs. The reality is that this is not a warranty for you, but rather, for the insurance company. Each insurance company receives a rebate toward the repair if you use one of their special auto glass partners. When you select your own auto glass company for the repairs, they do not receive this warranty. In many cases, insurers will try to push you into having the repairs done at their select partners’ facilities and tell you that you will lose the national warranty. The reality is that you have lost nothing but a potentially better rate or quality of repair when listening to them on this matter.

There are many watchdog groups that work to ensure that this happens to as few consumers as possible, but the practice is still very common. If you have been coerced by your auto insurance company to have repairs performed or risk the loss of a national warranty, the National Windshield Repair Association recommends that you contact your Attorney General’s office to report such activity. In many cases, agents via the phone use scripts that encourage this sort of the behavior; when a report is filed, it often leads to a cessation of such activity by the insurance company.

Conclusion

There are many different tricks that an insurance company may attempt to use when you are needing auto glass repair services, but we cannot cover every possible scenario here. The most important thing you can do is be insistent with your insurance company and find the best windshield replacement Atlanta has to offer to perform your repairs. Assuming that the shop accepts your insurance, you should have no real issues when it comes to your insurance paying for the repairs or replacement. If you have any issues, then you should contact the offices of your state’s Insurance Commissioner and Attorney General for more information.

 

Windshield Repair

Can I Repair Damage to My Windshield?

Published by: lemon

tree-fell-on-car

There are dozens of different scenarios that can occur that will result in damage to a vehicle’s windshield. From minor car accidents to damage caused by flying debris, your windshield will sooner or later run into one of these unfortunate events. Any damage that is caused to a windshield does not stop there; over time, cracks and fractures in the windshield can permeate deep into the glass, which will cause running fractures and require a total windshield replacement in order to guarantee its safety. Did you know that the majority of your vehicle’s roll-over protection is ensured from the integrity and strength provided by your windshield?

Despite the fact that many insurance plans have coverage for windshield repair included, some do not have this amenity and will need to seek out services elsewhere. There are many different auto glass repair options available, with one of them being do it yourself windshield repair kits. While these kits may be relatively inexpensive, are they actually worth it? In the following article, we will discuss the pros and cons of DIY windshield repair to help you make the best decision about this issue.

Comparing Costs

The biggest reason why do it yourself windshield repair kits exist is the cost considerations that have to be made when needing a repair that is not covered by your auto insurance. A repair to your windshield can easily cost upwards of $100 without insurance coverage, whereas a windshield repair kit can cost as little as $15. This discrepancy leads many people to consider the use of a do it yourself kit to rectify the issue. Especially true for those with limited incomes, the act of forking over lots of money for a seemingly tiny crack in the windshield may not be a palatable decision. This leads to many individuals using a do it yourself repair option.

Differences in the Process

The overall process of windshield repair via each option is fairly similar, but the quality of components and tools used by a professional auto glass company will be much better. The tools that come with a do it yourself kit are often made of plastic; it would be impossible to create metal tools that provide the same benefit for a cost-effective price. The professional solution will include a process that levels the crack and ensures that resin finds its way into all of the cracks and chips in a damaged area, preventing new damage from forming after the repairs are completed. This cannot be guaranteed with a DIY solution, according to the National Windshield Repair Association.

Do it yourself glass repair kits will also not sufficiently repair damage in the majority of cases. The types of damage to your windshield can vary greatly and require the professional inspection of an auto glass technician in order to ensure that the damage does not spread after the repairs have been completed. You will not be able to tell with pinpoint accuracy whether or not all of the cracks have been filled with resin or whether the pattern of damage is one that can be repaired via a DIY solution. These reasons make it an even better idea to enlist the services of an auto glass company.

How It Works

mobile Chattanooga windshield replacement If you do decide to use a do it yourself windshield repair kit, you will need to make a few preparations and allot an hour or so to perform the repairs. First, you will want to grab a pair of latex gloves, some paper towels and a sharp, pointed object to clear any debris from the crack. Once the area in question has been cleaned and freed of debris, the adhesive is then placed on top of the crack. The pedestal is then applied to the adhesive, allowing for insertion of the resin. The tube of resin is cut at one end and the majority of the substance is then injected into the pedestal. At this point, you will allow a bit of time for the resin to flow into the cracks.

Once this is complete, you will then insert a syringe into the pedestal, creating an airtight seal. The air in the chamber is then removed via the syringe, helping ensure that air bubbles do not form in the resin. After a few minutes, you will then need to remove the syringe and reinsert it to further push resin into the crack. This process needs to set for about twenty minutes, after which you can remove the syringe, pedestal and began scraping away the adhesive with a razor blade or similar object. The vehicle is then moved into direct sunlight, a small amount of resign is again applied and any uneven areas are smoothed out. After this is complete, the vehicle needs to sit for a half-hour before it is ready to be driven.

Conclusion

Do it yourself windshield repair can be a bit complicated for those who do not know what they are doing, and does not address all of the issues of damage to your windshield. A professional auto glass technician can ensure that the damage is treated at the source and will not result in future damage. While the professional solution may cost quite a bit more without insurance, the windshield may require a full replacement if not treated properly. This vital safety mechanism in your automobile deserves to be repaired by a professional, so it is recommended that you enlist the services of an auto glass shop for any windshield repair job.