Report on w/s repair

[Lee]

Thought some of you would be interested in this.

Article reprinted from:
http://www.kron.com/global/story.asp?s= ... =Printable


Windshield Damage: Repair or Replace?

Posted: May 24, 2004 at 6:27 p.m.
BAY AREA (KRON) -- A word of warning for drivers who may have a chip or crack in their windshield.

Left unchecked, even tiny pebble-sized chips can quickly branch out into an ugly scar and you'll need a new windshield. But you may be able to fix the crack without having to pay a penny out of pocket.

Chips and cracks are fairly common sights on car windshelds.

"They're not all fixable. Sometimes they're really big. But it's always good to attempt it," says Jeanette Clark, a technician with Safelite Auto Glass, a national company which provides mobile repair service.

Within about 15 minutes, as we watched, Jeanette has repaired a pit on a mini-van's windshield.

"Once I'm done, I'm done," she says. "You can take it through a car wash, let it sit in the sun. Most people are really happy with the end result even though we stress that it's not a cosmetic procedure. It's done to prevent further damage."

Several insurance companies are issuing warnings about people who stake out car washes and gas stations, offering free windshield repairs.

They say consumers should be careful. Repairs should only be done by trained specialists.

Also, be wary of do-it-yourself kits. Experts from the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard Council tested some of those kits and found poor results.

Critics say even professional repairs are only temporary. However, advocates insist technology has improved so much, the windshield can be made as strong as ever.

"The structural integrity is restored once the repair is complete," says Jeanette. "You just have a small blemish left over."

There are some restrictions: A repair can only be done if the damage isn't in the driver's field of vision, and as long as it doesn't exceed certain size limits.

Complete windshield replacement can costs hundreds of dollars but in many cases, it's still under your deductible, meaning you would have to pay it out of pocket.

But Contact 4 found most insurance companies will actually defer or waive your deductible if you opt for a repair.

Insurers we talked to also say windshield repairs typically do not affect your premiums because they're not an indication of your driving or safety risk.

The following is a list of the insurance companies that we were able to contact regarding their auto glass policies:

AAA of Northern California: deductible is deferred for repairs.

AIG Insurance: If it is smaller then a quarter or less then 3 inches in length and is not in the view sight of the driver, you are not be subject to the deductible.

Allstate Insurance: Repair depends on the recommendation of glass shop. If it can be repaired and a customer chooses to do that, the deductible can be waived. If replacement is necessary, the deductible would apply.

Farmers Insurance: Varies depending on specific wording of your policy.

The Hartford: Auto glass coverage comes under an auto policy's optional comprehensive coverage, which is also known as non-collision coverage. In California, The Hartford offers auto policies with comprehensive deductibles ranging from no deductible to $1000. People should check their policy to see what deductible they purchased. The deductible would apply in each case. As with all claims, The Hartford evaluates each auto glass claim individually.

Nationwide Insurance: Offers consumer option to repair chips, nicks and cracks up to 6 inches at no cost to consumer, provided the repair can restore the structural integrity. Nationwide, has a glass program that consumers can work through. You also have the option to choose your own vendor,

Travelers Insurance: Deductible is wavied if customer chooses a repair over replacement. Customers should call us to report the claim before they get repair done.

USAA Insurance: If the glass can be repaired, deductible may be waived. If glass needs to be replaced, the customer pays the deductible. We suggest the customer get a free estimate before considering a claim.

For more information on auto glass, visit: The Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard Council's website is http://www.agrss.com and its consumer website is http://www.safewindshields.com .

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