7 Tips for Handling an Auto Glass Insurance Claim
With all the driving hazards that can arise, from other cars on the road to animal incidents, the chances are good that you will need to use your car insurance to fix an auto glass issue at some point in your life. It isn’t safe to drive with a broken windshield, and your insurance company might require you to report damage within a certain timeframe, so taking care of it ASAP matters.
At GlassWerks, we are happy to provide insurance assistance for any type of auto glass service. Here are some tips to help you with the insurance process!
Check Your Insurance Coverage
One part of auto insurance is called comprehensive coverage. This offers help to pay for damages caused by outside experiences not related to a collision. Depending on your policy, it will generally cover damages from vandalism, fires, collisions with animals, and storm damage.
Your policy may also show auto glass repair listed as covered, but depending on the company, it might only cover part of the glass on your vehicle like the sides and not include windshield repair.
If you do not have this coverage, you may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket, so you will want to check your policy to see what is included before opening a claim.
Know Your Deductible
Insurance policies come with deductibles, so you will also want to understand what yours is because it might be more expensive than just paying for the repair or replacement yourself.
In addition, filing a claim for any glass damages can also raise your premiums, so you will want to weigh out whether it will be worth it financially to open a claim.
File the Claim Quickly
Once you have decided to file the claim, you will want to contact the insurance company as quickly as possible to help expedite the process.
You will need to provide the insurance company with specific information, including:
- Your policy number, nature of the damage, your name, and the start and end dates of the policy.
- They may also need the time and date, weather conditions, and if there were any others involved in the damage.
- Photos or videos supporting the claim.
- Also, remember that the insurance company may need to inspect the vehicle before approving the repair.
Once you speak with a representative, it will help give you a better understanding of how long the claim will take and if there's a time limit on filing. And you can ask any questions you have about your deductible or policy limits.
Follow the Recommended Options for Repair
If approved, you will then want to make an appointment to get the repair resolved. The insurance company may have specific auto glass repair companies they want you to use. And keep in mind that if you choose to use someone not listed with them, this could affect how much coverage they offer.
Choose a Professional Repair Company
Repairing the windshield requires multiple steps, and when you are not dealing with an expert, this could affect the exterior and interior of your vehicle. Individuals who don't have the right experience can potentially cause issues with areas like the paint or upholstery, which result in expensive errors and more time out of your day.
A professional not only helps you save time on the repair, but they have the right tools and ensure you get an OEM replacement to help keep your warranty on your car.
Always Get a Receipt
You will always want to make sure that you get a receipt and, if possible, have the glass repair business send the information directly to the insurance company. Always get copies for yourself and make sure that your name, phone number, policy number, and the date of the damage are included.
Protect Yourself from Fraud
Fraud and scams are just part of our world, and they can potentially affect your windshield repair. There are some situations where the shop may try to convince you that you need the windshield replaced as opposed to having a repair. You might be approached by individuals that don't work directly for the shop that made a promise to fix the windshield, or there are cases where the shops will charge the insurance company multiple times for the same replacement.
All of these issues are a concern because they can affect the structural integrity of your vehicle due to incorrect installation or if aftermarket parts were used. Your premium might increase on your insurance, or if the shop overcharges for the repair, you may lose your insurance entirely.
Some ways to protect yourself are:
- Contacting your insurance company before the replacement
- Do thorough research on repair shops before choosing one
- Don't let just anyone fix your windshield
At GlassWerks, Our Commitment Is to Our Customers
Navigating insurance for auto glass repair doesn't have to be a complicated process, and GlassWerks is here to help. We have extensive experience helping people through their insurance claims since 2009 and are proud to specialize in not only calibration with ADAS but RV windshield replacement.
We would love to help you get back on the road safely, so contact us or give us a call at 320-203-7777 today.