ABC 15 in Phoenix, Arizona has run a story about the problems with filing windshield repair claims and knowing who is repairing your windshield. The story, "Window of Opportunity - Workers taking advantage of insurance?" Cites some of the problems I have stated before.

In this report among other things is the fact that FREE windshield repairs, aren't FREE, your insurance pays for them. When your insurance company pays for your windshield repair, either you or everyone they insure gets to pay for them. To quote from this report, "multiple windshield claims can raise premiums". I have had a number of customers or contacts report that due to windshield repair claims they got a premium increase. Sometimes the person had another claim, dented fender, keyed door, but other times they had no other claims. When they have asked their agent about the increase they were told, "because you have a claim on your policy your rate went up". In Oklahoma like a few other states an insurance company can advertise that they will pay for your repair and that it won't hurt your rate. Then file a claim on your CLUE Report, followed by increasing your premiums.

Keep in mind that if you file a windshield repair claim it can be used to quote you a higher rate or refuse coverage if you decide to switch to a different insurance company. With insurance companies a claim is a claim, be it $10 or $25,000.

MSN Money has reported in an article "When NOT to file a claim" by Liz Pulliam Weston, that you shouldn't file small claims. That you should save filing a claim for the big disasters.

Another thing to watch for, is who you give your insurance information to. As pointed out in this article once you give your insurance information out to a dishonest shop, they can file other claims against your policy without your knowledge. Consumers Report recommends that you should get your CLUE Report and check it for errors, I will also add fraudulent claims; report any you find.

On average in Arizona it is estimated vehicle owners pay $300 more for auto insurance due to overcharged and fake claims according to this story.

When you turn in a windshield repair claim you better be truthful or you could be charged with insurance fraud. Here's some examples:

You buy a used car with a chipped windshield. Then several days after you have insured it, you file a claim for a chip repair. The fact that you claim you got the chip after you bought the car, but that it really was on there before you bought it, is insurance fraud. I've turned away work because I didn't want to be apart of it.

You want the insurance company to pay for a pit repair. Since pits as shown below won't crack out, you and the repair guy just committed insurance fraud.

You got a long crack on your windshield. A repairman says hey your insurance will pay for it, just tell them it's a chip. First off, insurance companies won't pay for long crack repairs. When you tell your insurance company that the crack is a chip, you just committed insurance fraud.

While in the past it wasn't a problem turning in windshield chip repair claims. Things have changed, the consumer would be wise to pay for the chip repair and not even mention it to their agent or insurance company. As CBS reported last year by merely talking with you agent or insurance company you could have a claim on your CLUE Report. Simply put, would you call your insurance company if you got a flat tire.

Paying out of pocket appears to be the safest and best choice.

To read this article click here: Window of Opportunity - Workers taking advantage of insurance?

To see the video click here: Window of Opportunity - Workers taking advantage of insurance?

I have added a new website for the consumer; Prevent Cracks Mobi. Over time I've had a number of people call me while on the road needing information about windshield repair. In many instances their windshield had been just been hit with a stone or rock.

For the consumer this new website is an advantage for them. Mobi sites are configured to fit the small screens on cell phones that are able to connect to the Internet. While they don't have as many graphics as a rule they load fast and can provide the information that is needed. Now the consumer can access windshield chip repair information from their cell phone, anywhere in the Oklahoma City metro area. You can also access this site from any PC.

CAUTIONS: Please don't try to visit this site while driving your car. Your cell phone provider may apply additional charges.

Anyway if you would like to check out the new website here is the address. http://PreventCracks.mobi

Add this to your favorites or bookmark this on your cell phone so when you need the information you have it.

I can't remember the last time we have gotten so much rain over an extended period. Oh, we needed the rain but this has created problems keeping up with the demand for chip repair.

Here lately I'm surprised at the number calling for a windshield repair while it is raining. What many don't understand is you can't have any water in a chip when you repair it. Yes, it is possible to perform a repair when it is raining, but waiting until you have dry weather is the best.

Naturally the auto or truck with the chipped windshield must be must be moved to an area out of the rain. There's several ways to remove the water from the chip. The current accepted method is to pull a vacuum on the damage, then warm the area. By doing this the boiling point of the water is lowered, which speeds the drying process.

Caution: Some repair people dry the chip out by injecting alcohol into the damage. Doing this also lowers the boiling point, however it isn't anymore an accepted practice as this can damage the laminate. Further the alcohol can damage the vehicle's paint if it is spilled on the auto or truck body.

You wouldn't have someone paint the outside of your house while it was raining or just after wards. Doing so would mean water would be trapped under the paint which would lead to damage to the home's structure. Yet, if water is trapped in a chip repair you have wasted your time and money while making your windshield trash. Here are some things to consider.

Weak Repairs - When resin is injected into a windshield chip it can mix with the water weaken the repair. Failure would be very likely.

The above photo is of a chip I was called on to perform a repair. The chip had been contaminated most likely with water. The repair tech that repaired this windshield had drilled the damage with a large drill, to the laminate, creating further damage to the windshield. The contaminated resin was so bad that it had fallen in the drill hole to the laminate. Over all the remaining resin was very soft. Replacement is now the only option. I checked on the cost of replacement and was told that this repair was a $370 mistake.

Discolored Repair - Another problem with water in a windshield chip is that when it mixes with the resin it can cause the resin to change color, making the repair very noticeable. Reducing the auto's resale value or requiring replacement at the time of lease return.

Incomplete Fill - Water pockets trapped likewise weaken the repair, look bad and when the windshield is subjected to the freezing temperatures of winter can crack the windshield.

This damage earlier this year required replacement on a lease return car due to the trapped water. If only the repair tech had dried out the repair first.

I was called to repair this chip early this week. Unfortunately the right side of this bullseye had water in it. Notice also that the left side wasn't filled. This bad repair now requires a replacement at  $250 to correct this bad repair.

All in all the consumer should use caution when they get their windshield repaired. In Oklahoma no license or training is required to repair or install windshields. Being patient and repairing your windshield in a timely fashion in ideal weather conditions can give a reward of a solid, safe repair. Doing anything else can waste money by turning your windshield into junk that replacement becomes the only option.