Having represented a windshield repair equipment and resin manufacturer for the last twenty years I would like to comment on Mr. Beigel’s article. His initial statistics are most likely very accurate considering the arrangement his company has with the 175 auto insurers and fleet owners mentioned at the end of his article.
That being said, I would take exception with a lot of what he says.
First of all, just because the car may be moving doesn’t mean that a projectile such as a rock didn’t hit the windshield as opposed to the windshield hitting the projectile. Often the projectile comes from another vehicle going in the opposite direction and those are the ones that can easily crack the first layer of glass if not actually pierce through to the second layer.
Mr. Beigel suggested that cracks longer than 6″ could not be repaired and must be replaced and that damage near the perimeter (outer edges) could not be repaired. Neither is true. A skilled windshield repair technician can repair cracks much longer than 6″ and as he intimated, a quality resin when applied correctly and cured properly will actually be more durable than the surrounding glass. So the structural integrity of the glass is retsored.
Our windshield repair equipment can be used as close as 1/8″ from the outer edge of the windshield as opposed to equipment Mr. Beigel’s company technicians use. Theirs has a much larger footprint and is not able to get as close to the edge. It should be noted that Mr. Beigel’s company, or at least affiliated company with the same brand, also manufactures aftermarket auto glass. So his company’s technicians more readily recommend a replacement when repair may be not only more suitable but also more advantageous to the customer. As Mr. Beigel said, many auto insurers will pay for repairs with no out of pocket expense for the customer while in the case of replacements any deductible must first be paid before insurance will kick in. Many policyholders, in an effort to save money, carry higher deductibles meaning that they end up paying the entire cost of windshield replacement.
Some of the other advantages of opting for repair instead of replacement aside from the no out of pocket expense, are saving time, maintaining original equipment windshields and not taking the chance of ending up with air leaks, water leaks or both and a less quiet ride.
You see, after market windshields such as the ones manufactured by Mr. Beigels company are reverse engineered and even though they may meet Federal guidelines, they often are not equal to the ones made specifically for the manufacturers of the vehicles. Their manufactured ones as well as the ones that his company imports from China and other foreign countries are more likely to have problems. Even todays economy vehicles may have special acoustic windshields that have better sound proofing so that they work better with voice commands and give quieter rides.
Another consideration is the fact that todays windshields are an important part of the safety restraint systems because they help support deployed air bags in the event of a wreck and also help support the roof during rollover accidents. An improperly installed replacement windshield could compromise the safety of the occupants in the vehicle. Unfortunately, companies that administer auto glass claims and manufacture, distribute and install aftermarket windshields have no incentive to educate policyholders and other consumers as to the differences in windshield options and how they may be affected.
Last but not least, Mr. Beigel suggested that rock chips that did not extend all the way down through the first layer of the windshield do not need to be repaired, however, according to industry standards, if the diameter of those surface chips are equal to or greater than 1/8″, repair is recommended. Also, some smaller surface chips may be positioned where they cause light refraction from sun light or oncoming headlights and the glint causes problems for the driver. These can be quickly fixed and most reputable windshield repair technicians do not charge for them.
I would like to bring attention to the way insurance companies are treating cracked windshields and other glass replacements. Yes, they will replace the windshield which falls under comprehensive, but what they don’t tell you is they replace the glass with inferior glass which is less safe and of less quality than the glass you started with. After 2 years, most insurance companies consider glass “used”, so they will replace with less expensive non-OEM glass. Folks, glass doesn’t change over time and it is not a moving part. A window can last thousands of years with no structural change whatsoever. There is absolutely no reason why they should be doing this other than rip you off and make you less safe.
Thanks to Mr.Biegel for the article. Cracked or broken windshields are among the most common car repairs. I believe is better first try to repair your existing windscreen before replacing it. Sometimes, size and position of the damage will mean that a repair is not possible and you will need a windscreen replacement. In both cases please contact to qualified auto glass repair technician, who must evaluate a number of factors before deciding whether your windshield is repairable. It’s best to do the repair or replacement as soon as possible. Safety of driving depends on it.
It is interesting that windshield damage has far more consequences besides being an eyesore. Because windshield cracks cause structural damage and also can be a hazardous distraction to drivers it could be a good idea to seek immediate repair. It could seem annoying to stress over a tiny blemish on your windshield, but ultimately it could save you time and money to take care of it early on.
What is not mentioned in this web page is one very important fact. Regardless of whether you get a full replacement windshield or have a glass chip filled with resin these claims can and usually count against you when your policy renewal comes due. Glass coverage falls under the Comprehensive portion of an auto policy. A broken or chipped window is most often not the fault of the driver. Nonetheless, insurance companies use these claims to increase your next auto rate. I’ve had glass coverage on my auto policies for 40 years and never had an issue. However, in recent years, insurance companies are now treating these claims as an “at fault” claim. Just understand that if you are not going to replace the windshield and opt for a resin repair, it may be more prudent to pay for this out of pocket.
Having represented a windshield repair equipment and resin manufacturer for the last twenty years I would like to comment on Mr. Beigel’s article. His initial statistics are most likely very accurate considering the arrangement his company has with the 175 auto insurers and fleet owners mentioned at the end of his article.
That being said, I would take exception with a lot of what he says.
First of all, just because the car may be moving doesn’t mean that a projectile such as a rock didn’t hit the windshield as opposed to the windshield hitting the projectile. Often the projectile comes from another vehicle going in the opposite direction and those are the ones that can easily crack the first layer of glass if not actually pierce through to the second layer.
Mr. Beigel suggested that cracks longer than 6″ could not be repaired and must be replaced and that damage near the perimeter (outer edges) could not be repaired. Neither is true. A skilled windshield repair technician can repair cracks much longer than 6″ and as he intimated, a quality resin when applied correctly and cured properly will actually be more durable than the surrounding glass. So the structural integrity of the glass is retsored.
Our windshield repair equipment can be used as close as 1/8″ from the outer edge of the windshield as opposed to equipment Mr. Beigel’s company technicians use. Theirs has a much larger footprint and is not able to get as close to the edge. It should be noted that Mr. Beigel’s company, or at least affiliated company with the same brand, also manufactures aftermarket auto glass. So his company’s technicians more readily recommend a replacement when repair may be not only more suitable but also more advantageous to the customer. As Mr. Beigel said, many auto insurers will pay for repairs with no out of pocket expense for the customer while in the case of replacements any deductible must first be paid before insurance will kick in. Many policyholders, in an effort to save money, carry higher deductibles meaning that they end up paying the entire cost of windshield replacement.
Some of the other advantages of opting for repair instead of replacement aside from the no out of pocket expense, are saving time, maintaining original equipment windshields and not taking the chance of ending up with air leaks, water leaks or both and a less quiet ride.
You see, after market windshields such as the ones manufactured by Mr. Beigels company are reverse engineered and even though they may meet Federal guidelines, they often are not equal to the ones made specifically for the manufacturers of the vehicles. Their manufactured ones as well as the ones that his company imports from China and other foreign countries are more likely to have problems. Even todays economy vehicles may have special acoustic windshields that have better sound proofing so that they work better with voice commands and give quieter rides.
Another consideration is the fact that todays windshields are an important part of the safety restraint systems because they help support deployed air bags in the event of a wreck and also help support the roof during rollover accidents. An improperly installed replacement windshield could compromise the safety of the occupants in the vehicle. Unfortunately, companies that administer auto glass claims and manufacture, distribute and install aftermarket windshields have no incentive to educate policyholders and other consumers as to the differences in windshield options and how they may be affected.
Last but not least, Mr. Beigel suggested that rock chips that did not extend all the way down through the first layer of the windshield do not need to be repaired, however, according to industry standards, if the diameter of those surface chips are equal to or greater than 1/8″, repair is recommended. Also, some smaller surface chips may be positioned where they cause light refraction from sun light or oncoming headlights and the glint causes problems for the driver. These can be quickly fixed and most reputable windshield repair technicians do not charge for them.
Dave Heidbreder
Liquid Resins International, Ltd.
I would like to bring attention to the way insurance companies are treating cracked windshields and other glass replacements. Yes, they will replace the windshield which falls under comprehensive, but what they don’t tell you is they replace the glass with inferior glass which is less safe and of less quality than the glass you started with. After 2 years, most insurance companies consider glass “used”, so they will replace with less expensive non-OEM glass. Folks, glass doesn’t change over time and it is not a moving part. A window can last thousands of years with no structural change whatsoever. There is absolutely no reason why they should be doing this other than rip you off and make you less safe.
Thanks to Mr.Biegel for the article. Cracked or broken windshields are among the most common car repairs. I believe is better first try to repair your existing windscreen before replacing it. Sometimes, size and position of the damage will mean that a repair is not possible and you will need a windscreen replacement. In both cases please contact to qualified auto glass repair technician, who must evaluate a number of factors before deciding whether your windshield is repairable. It’s best to do the repair or replacement as soon as possible. Safety of driving depends on it.
is the windshield repair still covered if you don’t have full coverage on your insurance
It is interesting that windshield damage has far more consequences besides being an eyesore. Because windshield cracks cause structural damage and also can be a hazardous distraction to drivers it could be a good idea to seek immediate repair. It could seem annoying to stress over a tiny blemish on your windshield, but ultimately it could save you time and money to take care of it early on.
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What is not mentioned in this web page is one very important fact. Regardless of whether you get a full replacement windshield or have a glass chip filled with resin these claims can and usually count against you when your policy renewal comes due. Glass coverage falls under the Comprehensive portion of an auto policy. A broken or chipped window is most often not the fault of the driver. Nonetheless, insurance companies use these claims to increase your next auto rate. I’ve had glass coverage on my auto policies for 40 years and never had an issue. However, in recent years, insurance companies are now treating these claims as an “at fault” claim. Just understand that if you are not going to replace the windshield and opt for a resin repair, it may be more prudent to pay for this out of pocket.