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Prevent Windshield Cracks
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Monday, November 27
Lower Insurance Rates, Lower Windshield Claims
by
Alan
on Mon 27 Nov 2006 09:18 AM CST
The Boston Globe just reported some interesting facts and figures about windshield claims and lower insurance rates. The article “Lower bill? Thank a careful driver” is by Bruce Mohl.
It seems Massachusetts auto insurance rates are above the national average. Among reasons given for the high rates 40,000 more glass claims than last year. In fact every driver pays $3 more due to glass claims. Got a new car, on average your rates since December of 2005, just went up $25, on average for every driver.
State Farm the largest auto insurance carrier, which chose in 2005 to stop paying for windshield chip repairs, reports that in 21 states this year they have reduced loses and have given drivers a reduced premium.
Oh I know that accidents were also given for the reason for high rates, but still windshield chip claims appear to be a factor.
More insurance agents that I know have told me now “yes, windshield chip repairs are filed on CLUE. They can count against you and if you decide to switch carriers you very well may not get the lowest rate, because you have a claim. A claim is a claim with many companies, period”.
I’m also told by agents that those wonderful roadside service calls for flat tires, no gas and lock outs, even though for small amounts are FILED ON CLUE AS A CLAIM. One agent went so far as to say that you should just go to triple A, because unlike his insurance company a call to AAA of Oklahoma doesn’t go on CLUE.
Saturday, November 18
The Importance Of A Proper Windshield Replacement
by
Alan
on Sat 18 Nov 2006 09:15 AM CST
I recently received my copy of AGRR Magazine; this is a major publication to the auto glass replacement and repair industry.
An article in the November/December 2006 issue titled, “A Man On A Safety Mission”, an interview with Byron Bloch continues, in a way, what I’ve been saying about repair vs. replacement.
Mr. Bloch, has 40 years experience with auto safety. He has been a leader to improve vehicle safety. His resume includes that he is a court qualified expert and has testified before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Further he has appeared as an expert on news programs, ABC’s 20/20, Primetime Live, Nightline, 60 Minutes, and Dateline NBC, to name a few.
In regards to continued stories I’ve heard here in Oklahoma City about windshields not being properly installed, including what I hear now more often about rusted pinchwelds. This involves a previously installed windshield where the pinchweld was not primed or was not primed correctly, thus requiring the vehicle to have the pinchweld repaired by a body shop before a new windshield can be installed.
Here are portions from this article, and some information you should know:
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When asked how important auto glass plays in safety? His response was that it was “very, very critical”. He points out how the windshield is a support for airbags, and that it is important for roof strength and keeping vehicle occupants inside the vehicle during a crash.
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When asked about the biggest problems caused by improper installation of a windshield, he stated, “poor attachment”. If the windshield comes out in a rollover, other supports would buckle and the roof would crush the vehicle passengers. Besides in an accident, passengers could be ejected through an opening created by a missing windshield.
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AGRR magazine states it is well known that at least once every 2 weeks a fatal accident occurs in which the windshield had been replaced within the previous 2 days.
Hopefully AGRR will post this whole article on their website so everyone can see it.
Due to the dangers involved with windshield replacement, the consumer should take extra care to inspect their windshields for small chips and repair them in a timely fashion. Doing this will eliminate the problems and the cost of windshield replacements.
When a replacement is required, don’t look for the cheapest replacement shop, look for the most qualified. A low price guarantee may not be the best deal when making a decision that could be a difference between life or death. After all, could you live with the knowledge that by saving a few dollars it cost you a loved one’s life?
Wednesday, November 15
Fueling Up? Check Your Windshield, Save Money
by
Alan
on Wed 15 Nov 2006 09:13 AM CST
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was beautiful then as predicted last night the front blew in. Winds blowing at 55 mph or more, rain and cold air; with freezing temperatures tomorrow morning.
As today progressed I lost track of the calls I took in which the person calling had a cracked windshield. In most cases they had a chip and with the weather changes they soon had a cracked windshield. Many told me the chip was on the edge or under the windshield wiper; because they failed to locate the chip and get it repaired they now had a cracked windshield. With windshields starting at around $160 this was a very expensive mistake.
An easy way to prevent this problem is to check your windshield each time you fuel your vehicle. Hey, what else can you do while your tank is filling that can save you a few hundred bucks.
Don’t sacrifice safety but if you get a chip when it’s cold, try to cut back on the defroster. Few realize but in the winter a battle is being fought in your windshield. The hot inside is expanding while the cold outside is contracting. If you have a chip and treat it wrong or are unlucky crack goes the windshield.
Monday, November 13
Enclave And The Acoustic Windshield
by
Alan
on Mon 13 Nov 2006 08:56 AM CST
I see by this article that GM is about to release the Buick Enclave, it’s an interesting crossover ride by what I can see in the photo. The windshield used on this vehicle is yet another acoustic type. What is an acoustic windshield you ask? It’s a windshield in which the material in the center is made of a product designed to reduce noise.
While laminated windshields have been standard for sometime. They reduce noise over tempered glass, the type used in most other auto glass, this takes noise reduction to the next level.
For anyone who doesn’t know what laminated glass is, I’ll give a brief description. A windshield is made up of 2 pieces of glass, an inside and outside layer. Sandwiched between them is a sheet of poly vinyl brutal. That is why windshields won’t shatter like side or rear glass in most autos and trucks.
Things to note:
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Acoustic windshields are more expensive. I priced an Acura TL, with an acoustic windshield at $800.
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These windshields can also be repaired.
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On some vehicles an acoustic windshield was an option. Chevy Trail Blazers and GMC Envoys can have these. If you need to replace the windshield and wish to maintain the quiet ride, make sure that the replacement shop uses the correct windshield. Acoustic windshields many times are marked as such. The plain version will fit.
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Other vehicles that use this technology include, the Buick Lucerne, and Lacrosse, to name a few.
Lansing State Journal: Enclaves rolling out at new GM plant
Saturday, November 11
Windshield Repair Location
by
Alan
on Sat 11 Nov 2006 08:32 AM CST
I’ve been asked from time to time, is there any place on a windshield you should not repair a chip? Presently one of my fleet customers is establishing a repair standard in regards to this. There has been over the years several thoughts and ideas about this matter. Today there is no standard in Oklahoma.
Back in the 90’s it was left up to the shops, glass shops usually set strict recommendations. Probably in an attempt to sell more windshields. Repair only companies many times left it up to the owner of the vehicle.
Liability issues started to take over; fear of lawsuits was a big factor. The NWRA came up with the acute area. That being an area on a windshield defined as taking an 8 1/2″ by 11″ sheet of paper and centering it over the steering wheel, with the 11 inch side running parallel to the top and bottom of the windshield. (see figure below)
Approximately in 2005 the State of Connecticut began a process to regulate windshield repair. They defined an area within the sweep of the driver’s side wiper blade as a no repair zone. The NWRA soon followed with a proposed national standard (ROLAGS), that included an area in which repairs should be limited. Currently details of ROLAGS, are still being worked on. The proposed area is an area 300 mm or 12 inches wide, centered over the steering wheel, that extends from the top of the driver’s windshield wiper sweep to the bottom of the sweep. See figure below.
What is my thoughts on this matter? To start with the use of common sense: For the commercial customer the first standard probably should be considered. This being due to the fact that with different drivers the area and what may distract them can vary. As a means to save money, a commercial customer may simply reduce the size damage or style of break that can be repaired within that area. Bullseye and combination breaks, generally have more distraction than a small crack or star. Limiting the size of chip repaired in the acute area to dime size or less may be a good idea.
In terms of the private vehicle owner I feel that within reason, they should decide what can be repaired. The repair tech may as well choose to reject some repairs if they feel that it may cause a distraction. I know that while I hate to turn away work, on occasion I have suggested that the customer replace the windshield simply because the chip was to large or would leave a scar that would be distracting.
Safety should always be the first rule; repairing a chip that can best be described as a miniature Grand Canyon, may not be worth the money saved.
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