 It is estimated that there are an
average of 80,000 auto glass replacements in
Arizona every month!
But just how much of this auto glass replacement in Scottsdale
(or surrounding areas of Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Rio Verde) was the real deal?
We have all been approached by persistent auto glass techinicians representing Scottsdale auto glass companies at car washes. They say things like:
- "I
can repair those chips in your windshield within minutes,"
these Scottsdale auto glass companies say.
- "We
just need your insurance policy information and you
will be on your way with new auto glass."
However, repairing minor chips and cracks is one thing; a total auto glass replacement when it's
not necessary costs everyone, including you, additional
money and possibly even jail time!
In some states, insurance companies are required by
law to waive the deductible for damaged or broken windshields
in an effort to encourage vehicle owners to make the
repairs. However, some Scottsdale auto glass companies are using that
loophole to convince consumers they can have new windshields
for free since they are fully covered.
The dishonest Scottsdale auto glass companies, also referred
to as "glass claims harvesters," will
rent parking lot space from Arizona auto repair facilities,
car washes or gas stations to seek business through
unnecessary auto glass replacements. Once the car owner
agrees to the deal, the harvester will subcontract the windshield replacement with another, less expensive Scottsdale auto glass company
and turn a profit from your insurance claim. Some harvesters
will impersonate the insured and obtain multiple auto glass replacement
claims.
The following are several Scottsdale auto glass replacement
scams you should be aware of:
- Replacing expensive windshields which only have
a small crack or chip that could easily be fixed.
- They might also charge insurers to replace several
chips when only one chip was repaired. Some con artists charge your policy for several
windshield replacements without you knowing it!
- The crooks might convince motorists to participate
by offering freebies such as steaks, movie tickets
or car washes. In addition, they might offer cash
rebates or inflate the repair bill to cover the deductible.
Oftentimes,
these "fly-by-night" auto glass operators are poorly
trained and work out of pickup trucks in parking
lots, quickly disappearing after the shoddy auto glass repairs.
You might see them approach people at car washes, gas
stations or conveniences stores. In
addition to the safety risk from cheap substandard auto glass
or shoddy workmanship, you could face increased
premiums or possible loss of coverage due to
multiple hits on your policy.
And
the worst possible scenario? You could face
jail and fines for insurance fraud!
Everyone
else's premiums also increase in the long run due to
fraud losses passed onto honest policyholders.
According
to Doug Ashbridge, Director of Special Investigations
for Farmers Insurance Group, property casualty
insurance fraud costs consumers $20 billion each year
and is probably present in as many as 10 percent of
claims filed.
If
you are approached by a Scottsdale auto glass company insisting on an
unnecessary windshield replacement, just say no! Report the incident to your state insurance department.
If you need auto glass repairs, contact your insurance agent for
reputable Scottsdale glass companies.
SunTec
Auto Glass in Scottsdale, Arizona has highly trained and certified auto glass technicians
and is a member of the National Glass Association (NGA).
We also endorse AGRSS (Auto Glass Replacement Safety
Standards Council) which is dedicated to the safe replacement
of auto glass in Scottsdale. Contact
us for reliable, honest service and industry
expertise. |
