Just want to share this with everyone, My wife came home with a star in the windshield. I repaired it and then decided to call my insurance agent ( Allstate ) to see how the would handle it. I told them my neighbor is in the WSR biz and charged me 40.00 to fix it.
My agent told me they would pay for the repair but I may loose the 258.00 per year discount they give me for not having any claims in over 5 years. I would be interested to know if anyone else has run into this, maybe get people to call their agents and get an idea on how different company's stand on this issue.
I would hate to piss off a customer by telling them the repair is free and then having this happen to them.
Free Repairs? Not Always!
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glassdoctor
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- Joined: November 13th, 2003, 9:24 am
Yeah, I have been concerned about this for a while. It is a grey area... the truth is out there but nobody that knows is talking.
In my state, it's "illegal" for a comprehensive claim to raise a persons rates. Agents are quick to tell you this. But there are ways around this.
I found out that my insurance, American National, has a "built in" 30% premium discount for a claim free policy. So, if you have a claim, your rates don't go up, but "lose" your discount. So, in effect they do go up...a lot. I don't know how many companies do things like this, and you may not know until it's too late.
They real kicker is that nobody knows if a $50 windshield repair counts as a claim for such policies. Or, if you have 2 or 3 repairs in a year... do they count as mutiple claims against your policy?
It sure seems this needs to be addressed somehow, so we know where we really stand. Right now, it's like walking in a mine field. You don't know when it will blow up in your face.
I don't do much ins. work. Maybe you guys that do know more... give us the dirt it you've been digging.
In my state, it's "illegal" for a comprehensive claim to raise a persons rates. Agents are quick to tell you this. But there are ways around this.
I found out that my insurance, American National, has a "built in" 30% premium discount for a claim free policy. So, if you have a claim, your rates don't go up, but "lose" your discount. So, in effect they do go up...a lot. I don't know how many companies do things like this, and you may not know until it's too late.
They real kicker is that nobody knows if a $50 windshield repair counts as a claim for such policies. Or, if you have 2 or 3 repairs in a year... do they count as mutiple claims against your policy?
It sure seems this needs to be addressed somehow, so we know where we really stand. Right now, it's like walking in a mine field. You don't know when it will blow up in your face.
I don't do much ins. work. Maybe you guys that do know more... give us the dirt it you've been digging.
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CPR
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glassdoctor
- Senior Member
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Optic-Kleer Franchise website
Exactly. I find that some people are skeptical about messing with their insurance. It's about like asking them to give the I.R.S. a call to ask if their tax return checked out ok.
Sad part is that sometimes they are right, they might just get screwed. Better to leave the hornets nest alone, right? Fortunately this is not a common problem, at least not as far as we know.
Sad part is that sometimes they are right, they might just get screwed. Better to leave the hornets nest alone, right? Fortunately this is not a common problem, at least not as far as we know.
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glassdoctor
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I just noticed on Optikleer's new website that he says wsr will not affect a no-claim discount. This is in the u.k.
Maybe this is the case in the u.s. as well. Could it be that some local agents are mis-informed about this? I sure hope we can get some difinitive answers so we can confidently assure our customers that they will not be penalized.
I will try to get a difinitive answer from my insurance company... and get written proof of their policy. They can't NOT have an official policy, can they?
If we do the same for the major companies, that would be a good start.
Maybe this is the case in the u.s. as well. Could it be that some local agents are mis-informed about this? I sure hope we can get some difinitive answers so we can confidently assure our customers that they will not be penalized.
I will try to get a difinitive answer from my insurance company... and get written proof of their policy. They can't NOT have an official policy, can they?
If we do the same for the major companies, that would be a good start.
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StarQuest
CPR,
This issue has concerned me in the past also. To date, I've been always telling customers I've never seen a situation where repair effected their insurance rates. Your recent experience has me thinking whether I should make that statement anymore.
So far, nobody has ever made a verbal complaint about their premiums being adjusted as a result of a repair! It's probably time I should start contacting all the local agents in my area to get more info on this before I open my mouth again. I would hate to think I was offering a free repair and later find out it cost the insured 3 times as much on their premium! It hasn't happened here with me in Michigan yet but if it does I'll be sure and let you guys know.
Good forum info CPR.
This issue has concerned me in the past also. To date, I've been always telling customers I've never seen a situation where repair effected their insurance rates. Your recent experience has me thinking whether I should make that statement anymore.
So far, nobody has ever made a verbal complaint about their premiums being adjusted as a result of a repair! It's probably time I should start contacting all the local agents in my area to get more info on this before I open my mouth again. I would hate to think I was offering a free repair and later find out it cost the insured 3 times as much on their premium! It hasn't happened here with me in Michigan yet but if it does I'll be sure and let you guys know.
Good forum info CPR.
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johnnyone
- Member
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- Enter the middle number please (3): 5
- Location: Albuquerque NM
What a Great Post
I was told that a repair job doesnt affect a customer insurance rates due to the fact that is saves the windshield so you dont have to replace it and it is a small claim thats why they cover it.
Well guess what!! I said the word CLAIM and that the way the insurance companys look at it.With the cost of doing repairs and replacement its a hugh amt of money.
So if the customer said he doesnt want to do it on his insurance, it turns into a cash deal, so he can keep his insurance cost down, eather way it ok with me.
But isnt that why we have insurance?
I was told that a repair job doesnt affect a customer insurance rates due to the fact that is saves the windshield so you dont have to replace it and it is a small claim thats why they cover it.
Well guess what!! I said the word CLAIM and that the way the insurance companys look at it.With the cost of doing repairs and replacement its a hugh amt of money.
So if the customer said he doesnt want to do it on his insurance, it turns into a cash deal, so he can keep his insurance cost down, eather way it ok with me.
But isnt that why we have insurance?
Bullseye WSR
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Coitster
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I just have to comment on this one guys. Almost everyday I am asked that question by customers. They are so afraid that their rates are going to go up. In every situation where they tell me that I respond to them and tell them to call their agent. Everytime I do this and they pick up the phone and call them, the agents tell them to get the chip fixed and it won't affect their rates.
David
Coitster
David
Coitster
Glass
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GRT
Certification
State Farm's Web site encourages free chip repairs. They state that it actually helps keep insurance premiums down. Nope I don't have the link, but look around on their site, you'll find it.
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glassdoctor
- Senior Member
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- Joined: November 13th, 2003, 9:24 am
This is something that the NWRA should be all over. If they are worth anything, they will address this. This should not be an issue, but it keeps popping up. I think this is being brought up to the NWRA as we speak.
Coitster is right that the agents will say it's all good. And, we know that Ins. Co.s recommend repairing. However, we have heard of several cases where it HAS affected an insured's policy, or at least it appears to have raised rates. It's enough that I want to see something done about it.
It should be absolutley black and white.
It's ridiculous for ins. to endorse a practice and then leave even a slight possibility that the insured is penalized.
Coitster is right that the agents will say it's all good. And, we know that Ins. Co.s recommend repairing. However, we have heard of several cases where it HAS affected an insured's policy, or at least it appears to have raised rates. It's enough that I want to see something done about it.
It should be absolutley black and white.
It's ridiculous for ins. to endorse a practice and then leave even a slight possibility that the insured is penalized.
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