Windshield Repair Forum

Hello,
I got a call the other day for 3 rock chips when I got there it turned out to be 3 nix out of the w/s about 1/16 to 1/8 in diameter 2 right in the drivers line of vision. A little bummed I told the guy I would fix them as a complimentary repair and would not bill the insurance co. since I didn't even have to break out the bridge. Anyway the guy went nuts and started to rant and rave about the ins co. and said if I didn't Bill them He would be p****d at me. He has already called in the claim. He said if I didn't fix it that he would just get a new windshield. I did repair them and it only took 10 mins. then I got the heck out of there.

Anyway today I was getting ready to submit the bill and I found that I just couldn't do it.
Just wondering what you guys would do??

I believe that your integrity is at steak. Stick to your gut feelings about this job and do the right thing and you will sleep like a baby. It's not worth it in the long run. Stay honest and you will have no regrets. Good luck.

So is this the first time you felt bad for being honest? Don't worry, you cannot go to jail for not defrauding the insurance company. You may decide to follow up with the TPA who is issuing the claim and explain that the shield had only superficial damage and that you rectified the issue and their will be no charge. It probably won't get you any more business but the adjuster just might make a note saying your honest or something. Who knows?

You did the journey and you repaired the screen bill them. Surely a chip in the screen is damage no matter how small.

This particular subject is a " hot potato" in the UK & Europe with the major glass replacement companies. The practise is known as the Mylar repair, since all you are doing, is filling the surface chip, and probably within a short time, if the repair is within the wiper sweep, it will wear back out.The A.B.I. (Association of British Insurers) spot check work done, looking for this type of repair. It has resulted in a few people loosing there jobs and major compensation being paid back to the insurance companies. I agree with Screenman in terms of being paid for your time & effort, but it leaves the door open for abuse and a loss of trust with the Insurance companies.

While I agree you should be compensated for your time and effort, I don't think the insurance company should be the one compensating you. Go with your gut. Call the 800 # for the insurance company in question. Explain the situation to them(give them the insureds name or not as you see fit). Then send this guy a bill explaining that since the insurance company doesn't pay to repair this kind of damage(as you explained to him) he is responsible for the charges. You may or may not get paid. If you don't take it off on your taxes next year as a bad debt.

You may be mistaken as to what we do for a living. We restore the customers windshield to a level that keeps them from having to replace it. I have had this discussion with the insurance companies at least 3 times in the last several years they all said consider it a repair if the customer is happy and it keeps them from replacing the windshield.
Some repairs are in need of the injector and others are cosmetic repairing the cosmetic ones are no different the take your time and they keep the insurance company from paying for replacement.
The problems that are often refered to in the press and by insurance companies are the ones where the repair sales guy tells the customer that it needs to be repaired to save the windshield and that is indead fraud
The same chip that the customer complains about and will result in them replacing should you not repair it is not ,it saves the insurance company $

If you're still not sure what to do after all this input, maybe you should just charge the ins. co. a fair price for filling the surface pits and keeping the customer happy. (Maybe $15). At least it pays for the gas you used to get there and buys lunch, although I think your first instinct was right and you should call Lynx or S.G.C. to tell them the damage was superficial (I don't think they'll call the customer back--but not sure).

Insurance companies do NOT pay for surface chips. Companies who bill for insurance chips give everyone in this industry a bad name.

If your customer insists on having them fixed, do them as a courtesy or for cash.

Redgmc did the right thing by not charging the ins co. i am surprised
at screenman.. even though redgmc did his part the fault lies with the
customer for giving the ins wrong info..this is why i am going to be giving out service call receipts for 20.00 when this hapens to me.. i know
this was discussed several months ago but i think the time is right
gas is certainly a big factor not to mention time.. we are not second
class citizens..... if every other co can charge why cant we any feedback??