Avondale Auto Glass: Viewing clearly through auto glass scams may not be as straightforward as it seems (Continued)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Queen Creek, Arizona, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 29, 2011 -- “There’s no excuse for filing an insurance claim on windshields that are not damaged.”

National Glass Association Auto Glass Division vice president, Leo Cyr, states that there is simply no excuse for anyone filing an insurance claim on undamaged windshields. At the same time, insurance companies do recognize that a broken windshield is a real problem and can pose a threat to occupants of a vehicle.

merely stated, as with any auto glass repair, there are appropriate times and inappropriate times to replace a part. In either event, Mr. Cyr States that only NGA-certified operatives using high quality parts and materials should install a new windshield. Because of the big number of fraud scams aimed at needlessly filing claims for windshield replacements, consumers need to be aware of when a windshield can be honestly replaced. Consumers also need to be able to ask the right questions and safeguard their own information.

Law enforcement across the nation agrees with Mr. Cyr and is cracking down on damaged windshield replacement schemes in Gilbert and surrounding Higley and Queen Creek. The good news is that unscrupulous con artists and repair shops owners are being prosecuted, fined, and sent to prison. The bad news for motorists who become victims is that they, too, can be prosecuted, fined, and sent to prison for their participation in stealing from insurance companies and their policyholders.

Those Who Rent Cars are Not Safe from Windshield Replacement Scams Either

Not driving your own vehicle does not essentially make you immune to being approached. A slightly diverse scheme on the replacement scam involves rented autos being returned. A driver returns his automobile only to be told that a scratch, crack or rock chip found on the windshield is going to involve a windshield replacement compensated for by the insurance purchased in the rental agreement or the driver’s personal insurance. Either way, insurance account numbers are exchanged and the policyholder and company are charged hundreds for a new windshield.

One current, well-regarded case in Billings, Montana involved an owner of a nationally recognized car rental franchise just last year. Evidence shows that most of the automobiles involved showed no signs of windshield replacement but a few confirmed chip repairs totaling about $25.00. One vehicle was involved in 3 windshield replacement claims and the windshield was reported to have shown no signs of any repair or replacement. Following the Broadly-publicized trial, the prosecuting assistant U.S. Attorney said, in his sentencing memorandum, that the case involved 250 victims, the theft of $436,692 and deserves severe consequences. The owner/manager was caught only because he boasted to pals he had found a way to commit a excellent, risidual crime. Beware when you get your windshield replacement in Gilbert because the same thing could happen here.
Not Just an Insurance Problem, a Lot of Your income Will End Up in a Criminal’s Pocket

A Spokane, Washington company, owned by a husband and wife was convicted of creating more than 1,200 fraudulent claims costing insurance holders over $695,000. Another in Los Angeles holds the record at over $14 million in fraudulently received payments after which the company filed bankruptcy. Although in both cases the court ordered restitution to be paid (from the bankrupted companies) guess who really gets left holding that bag on the loss?

How serious is the issue and does it really affect consumers directly?

The problem is huge. The amount of cash taken out of the public’s collective pockets is staggering. According to an auto glass industry estimate the expense of illegal windshield insurance claims costs consumers more than $425 per year on the annual premium for every car in America, each year, for the life of the car! The amount of further money paid on each insurance premium is almost enough to replace every windshield in America, every year, twice! That money comes right out of everyone’s wallets.

What can a person do to protect himself or herself?

How can a consumer know how to tell the difference in legal and illegal services and make sure that the windshield replacement is both proper and correctly done? pretty basic. For your good luck, here are seven basic rules, or questions:

Rule #1 Think

What are you being asked to do and by whom?

Rule #2 Be reasonable

Is the integrity of the glass compromised?
Is the damage in the driver’s line of sight?
Is the damage cosmetic or functional?
If it is not worth $250 to $300 dollars to you, it probably won’t be to your insurance company either.
Would you claim repairs for a similar paint chip or door ding?

Rule #3 Take charge of the situation

Did someone approach you, or did you approach the glass repair company in accord with your insurance agent?

Rule #4 Guard your money and your accounts

Would you give a stranger contacting you access to your bank, cash, or credit accounts by providing them with the number(s)?
Why would you give them access to the cash behind your insurance policy number? Don’t do it!

Rule #5 Is the person doing the work, at a legitimate place of business, skilled and NGA-certified to do such repairs?

Rule #6 Were you offered an incentive?

An incentive is, by no means, an indication of fraudulent activity. Most every business offers items on sale, coupons, discounts or other incentives to attract your business. The question is, is the value of the incentive unreasonable? Is the total value more than what your deductible would be? Is it more than what the windshield would be? (See Rule #1 and Rule #2)

Rule #7 Are you paying a reasonable price for actual services rendered at a known location?

Beware of invoices carrying an address other than where the repairs are made, especially rural addresses. Rural companies are allowed to charge insurance companies more for parts and labor than companies located in densely populated and competitive areas.

So, what’s wrong with it?

False windshield replacement claims is a form of insurance fraud. Insurance fraud is just another form of fraud. Fraud is a felony crime. All parties involved can be charged, tried, and convicted. Be informed and alert. Ignorance of the facts is not an excuse to assist in costing all of us millions of dollars every year.

SunTec Auto Glass is a family-owned company located in Arizona, serving Maricopa and Pinal Counties. We are windshield replacement pros and specialize in windshield replacement , auto glass repair , window tinting, and glass etching. We replace vehicle glass for cars, trucks, vans, and even RV's and specialty vehicles.

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