Baseball, greatest American smash time!

Having your windshield broken by a baseball may seem a little cliché. However, it is The Week of Windshield Sports here at the Phoenix Auto Glass Blog and we are bringing you a few stories about windshields broken by baseballs that are anything but ordinary.

April 2012, Team members of the Chuckey-Doak High baseball team in Tennessee were all smiles after their team’s 7-3 victory against Jonesboro University High. That is, all except for the team member that hit the winning home run. Senior, Jameson Painter hit the game-winning home run in the eighth inning only to discover that victory is not always sweet.

Painter did not realize that his home run ball was sitting in the front seat of his car until after the game. The baseball that scored the winning home run had smashed right through his windshield. What makes this story even more bizarre is that Painter had initially parked his car closer to the field but decided that spot was too close. In an attempt to keep his vehicle out of harm’s way, Painter parked his car further away from the field, which turned out to be the worst possible spot.

"We were all talking before the game that it wasn't a good place to park because he was liable to hit one there," Chuckey-Doak (Tenn.) High baseball coach Dustin Morrow told the Sun. "Sure enough, he did. I'm glad he hit the home run but feel bad because now he has to buy a new windshield."

In another baseball related case, a woman’s windshield is broken by a foul ball while driving. Rhonell Griffin of Finneytown, Ohio was driving her daughter to track practice when her car was struck by a foul ball on the opposite side of the street.

Fortunately for Griffin, she was able to maintain control of the vehicle, but her windshield was cracked. Griffin’s husband reported the incident, but the Princeton School Administration refuses to admit liability. According to the school’s athletic director, he has never seen anything like this in his 12 years at the district. However, Griffin’s husband tells a different story.

"As I was back up watching the game another foul ball went over and struck a van." Griffin says, "This shouldn't have to come out of my pocket for $250 cause that could have caused an accident."

The Princeton School system, while not admitting liability, has agreed to pay for the Griffin’s new windshield.

Question: What did the smashed windshield say to the baseball?

Answer: At Least you weren't CUT from the team.

If you find yourself with a broken windshield due to a sports accident, you may be asking yourself one of the following questions. However, you need not worry, SunTec Auto Glass has answers.

How does this work with my insurance company?  

You have the right to choose which auto glass repair shop performs your services (Arizona Law Chapter 233, Section 2) as well as if you would like a windshield replacement or an auto glass repair. One of the reasons that windshield replacement or an auto glass repair is procrastinated is that people are too busy to want to file a claim with their insurance company. We can take care of that responsibility for you. Although some insurance companies require a 3-way phone call with the auto glass shop and the Insured at the same time to verify that a claim is valid, SunTec will take care of all the rest of the billing. The only responsibility that falls upon the customer is to pay the deductible, if applicable.

Will replacing my windshield affect my rates?  

No. Arizona law states that a no fault claim for a windshield glass replacement will not raise your rates (ARS S 20-263), although some insurance companies monitor the frequency of claims that their insured make and may not renew your policy based upon the number of claims you have made.

Is it illegal to drive with a cracked or broken windshield?

→ Arizona law ARS28-957.01. (A) Makes it illegal to operate a vehicle with a windshield that is not adequate; and it is solely up to the ticketing officer and what he deems adequate. The adequate windshield law is very vague and leaves a lot up to interpretation. What you may surmise to be a small crack, chip or scratch may result in an Arizona windshield fix-it-ticket. Putting off the repair or replacement of your damaged windshield may not only result in a fix-it-ticket, but it puts the safety of you and your family at risk of an accident that may be caused as a direct result of a windshield that is not adequate.

Can I choose my own auto glass company or do I have to go with the one my insurance company picks for me? 

→ ARS20-469 gives you the right to choose which auto glass company you want to use. The insurance company may suggest a specific auto glass repair company, but they cannot penalize you if you choose your own auto glass repair company. What they can do is barrage you with a series of questions and try steer you towards the auto glass company of their choice. By choosing your own auto glass company, you can choose an auto glass company that may offer the following:

1. Warranty that meets and exceeds the warranty of the auto glass company that the auto insurance company may have suggested, such as an auto glass company that may offer lifetime chip repairs without having to make a future windshield repair claim.
   
   
2. Specials that the auto insurance companies' suggested auto glass company cannot or will not offer, but other auto glass companies may offer, such as dinners, gas, and movie passes.These specials and promotions come out of the auto glass company's profits and losses and are not added to what the auto insurance company is going to pay. Since auto insurance companies are in total control of the pricing, the auto glass company either accepts the auto insurance companies' rates or the auto glass company cannot do the job for the insured, through their auto insurance policy.
   
   
3. Choosing your own auto glass company gives you the option of having Original Equipment Manufactured glass installed. This is an automobile manufacturer endorsed auto glass. Since the agenda for most auto insurance companies is to save money, letting the auto insurance company choose an auto glass company for you, may leave you with aftermarket glass. Aftermarket glass can be a wild card, as the specifications may differ from that of your original manufactured windshield. Aftermarket glass may have poor optical quality, uneven thickness, and may cause leaks or wind noise. 

How do I know the auto glass companies I choose are certified to do the windshield replacement? 

The NGA (National Glass Association) holds every windshield replacement and auto glass repair technician up to the most stringent and up to date standards in the auto glass industry. Any associations or certifications they have should be presented on their website, listings or even shop and truck windows.  

SunTec Auto Glass is a member of AGRSS (Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council), the NWRA (National Windshield Repair Association), the IGA (Independent Glass Association), AAGA and the the BBB (Better Business Bureau). All of our windshield replacement and auto glass repair technicians are NGA certified to service all vehicle makes and models. We accept all forms of payment, including all major credit cards and we work with all auto insurance providers. Free Mobile Service for windshield replacement and auto glass repair customers in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. To schedule your windshield replacement, auto glass repair, auto glass tinting or auto glass etching appointment call us at (602) 753-6050 or email us at teamrr@q.com.

By Paul Ryans | Find us on Google