It is estimated that there are an typical of 80,000 windshields changed every single thirty day period in Arizona! But just how quite a few of these genuinely needed to be changed??
We have all been approached by persistent auto glass salespeople representing Phoenix auto glass firms at our local automobile washes:
- “I can maintenance individuals chips in your windshield within minutes,” they say.
- “We just need to have your insurance coverage plan information and you will be on your way.”
Nevertheless, restoring insignificant chips and cracks is one particular factor total substitution of your windshield when it’s not needed charges everybody, which include you, additional funds and probably even jail time!
In some states, insurance policies businesses are needed by regulation to waive the deductible for harmed or damaged windshields in an hard work to encourage vehicle house owners to make the repairs. Nevertheless, some businesses are making use of that loophole to persuade customers they can have new windshields for no cost due to the fact they are thoroughly protected.
The dishonest glass providers, also referred to as “glass statements harvesters,” will rent parking ton place from Arizona vehicle maintenance facilities, vehicle washes or gasoline stations to search for business enterprise by way of avoidable vehicle glass replacements. At the time the motor vehicle operator agrees to the offer, the harvester will subcontract the alternative with a different, considerably less costly glass organization and flip a gain from your insurance coverage declare. Some harvesters will impersonate the insured and acquire many glass claims.
The subsequent are many windshield replacement scams you must be informed of:
- Replacing costly windshields which only have a tiny crack or chip that could simply be fastened. They may well also demand insurers to replace many chips when only a single chip was fixed. Some con artists charge your coverage for quite a few windshield replacements with no you recognizing it!
- The crooks may possibly persuade motorists to take part by supplying freebies these kinds of as steaks, movie tickets or auto washes. In addition, they might give cash rebates or inflate the restore monthly bill to include the deductible.
Quite often, these “fly-by-night time” operators are poorly educated and get the job done out of pickup trucks in parking loads, speedily disappearing following the shoddy repairs. You may possibly see them approach people today at auto washes, gas stations or conveniences shops. In addition to the security hazard from cheap substandard glass or shoddy workmanship, you could face amplified premiums or attainable decline of protection thanks to several hits on your coverage.
And the worst possible circumstance? You could deal with jail and fines for coverage fraud!
All people else’s rates also boost in the lengthy run owing to fraud losses passed on to trustworthy policyholders.
In accordance to Doug Ashbridge, Director of Specific Investigations for Farmers Coverage Group, property casualty insurance policies fraud expenditures individuals $20 billion each year and is probably current in as a lot of as 10 percent of claims filed.
If you are approached by a salesperson insisting on an avoidable windshield alternative, just say no! Report the incident to your state insurance policies department. If you will need repairs, make contact with your insurance policies agent for dependable glass organizations in your space.
