Things to consider when having your windshield replaced

Ahwatukee Foothills, Alhambra, and Camelback East drivers: Your windshield is part of your vehicle’s safety restraint system, and helps keep you and your family safe. When you need a windshield replacement, here are a few steps that can make the process go smoothly.

The best place to start is to call to your auto insurance company and ask them if your policy carries a glass endorsement, or if the windshield replacement is covered under the comprehensive part of your auto insurance. Damaged windshields do not always require a complete replacement, as many times the damage is repairable. You should ask your auto insurance company if the windshield is repairable or if they suggest a full windshield replacement.

It is becoming more common for auto insurance companies to direct their insured to the auto glass repair and replacement facility they prefer to work with. However, your auto insurance company may request that you contact them prior to any work being done. That way they can inform the windshield repair and replacement facility of acceptable rates they are willing to pay. If the windshield repair and replacement facility does not accept their rates, the auto insurance company will not authorize them to do the work.

When searching for windshield replacement companies, the first thing to look for is The National Glass Association logo. The NGA trains and certifies windshield replacement technicians, and it is important to find out if the technician replacing your windshield is NGA certified. In the United States, there are approximately eleven million windshield replacements every year, up to seventy percent of those are installed incorrectly. It is important to use a windshield replacement company that employs National Glass Association Certified Technicians. The windshield operates as a backing to keep the airbags within the vehicle, in the event of a head on collision an improperly installed windshield can pop out, causing the airbags to fail.

A professional windshield replacement company will use either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or equivalent glass. OEM glass meets the specifications required by your vehicle’s manufacturer. ‘After-market’ glass is another type of glass used by windshield replacement companies. After-market glass is made by lower standards than OEM, and is less expensive because corners were cut to lower the cost of manufacturing. Using this type of glass can result in leakage into the passenger cabin, wind noises, and poor optical quality. 

The auto glass repair and replacement industry is highly competitive. In such a competitive industry, there are will always be companies that will cut corners in order to maintain a competitive edge. Following the recommendations above, will help you choose the right auto glass repair or replacement company for the job.   

"Trivia Question" Who is the largest auto insurance company in Phoenix, Arizona?

• a) Farmers
• b) American Family
• c) Statefarm

Answer: c) Statefarm with 15% of the city’s residents, followed by Farmers and then American Family.

Attention Vehicle Owners in Ahwatukee Foothills, Alhambra, and Camelback East:

You may want to consider having your windows tinted by an auto glass company. Tinted windows protect against the sun’s harmful UV light by preventing much of the UV light from reaching within the passenger compartment. This protects you and your family as well as preventing the inside of your vehicle from fading and cracking.

Having a damaged windshield replaced, or having your vehicle windows tinted may at times seem like an inconvenience. If you follow these tips, you can drive away after having your windshield replaced or your windows tinted with confidence that you and your family are safe and secure within the confines of your vehicle.

By Paul Ryans | Find us on Google

Comments

[Jenny]

Thanks for sharing this post to us. This is really informative especially for car owners. This will help them to consider the things when having a windshield replaced.

[Filipe]

Thank you for such an informative post!

[Liberty B]

additional hints

[Michelle]

We should learn things about windshield placement, because changing windshield is very costly.