Frequently Asked Questions
636-397-6800
Can you bury my insurance deductible?
From time to time, all glass shop owners are faced with requests from car owners to “bury the deductible” when glass damage is covered by comprehensive insurance. At this point the car owner should be advised that before going to the glass shop around the corner who will “bury the deductible,” consider the following points:
- Conspiring to “bury the deductible” is committing a fraud upon an insurance company and is against the law.
- Insurance company appraisers know the cost of auto glass, as well as glass shops, and cannot be fooled by inflated estimates.
- If the glass shop decides to cut corners on the job and it ends up being second-rate, the owner has no one to complain to if they conspired to “bury the deductible”.
The smart thing to do to protect your investment is to get a first-class job from a first-class shop and be glad that all you have to pay is the deductible.
It’s only a small crack. Can I wait to have it repaired?
No. You really shouldn’t delay. The windshield is an important structural element of your car. If weakened due to the damage, it will not provide optimal protection in an accident. Many small chips or surface cracks only affect the outer layer of the windshield, so it can be mended before it gets any worse — and requires more time and money to fix.
What’s the difference between glass in a windshield and other window glass?
Auto glass is designed and manufactured for optimum safety in the event of a crash. Your windshield is made of laminated safety glass. The side and rear windows are made of tempered glass. Laminated safety glass is two pieces of glass with a layer of vinyl sandwiched between, so it will stay intact in a collision. Tempered glass has been treated to make it much stronger than other glass of the same thickness. If it breaks, it is designed to shatter into small pieces.
Why do I need a certified technician?
Because the windshield is part of a car’s safety system, repair or replacement work should be done by experienced professionals who are familiar with many different types of vehicles and the best techniques/products to use for a particular job.
What will the auto glass shop most likely ask me when I call?
Have this information handy:
– Describe the damage or problem that you have.
– Provide the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
– Explain where you want to have the work done. In shop or mobile service?
– Schedule service when it is convenient for you.
How long will it take to repair/replace my windshield?
To repair a small crack or ding (without replacing the entire windshield) takes about 20 minutes. Length of service may vary for a complete windshield replacement, on the adhesives used, the thoroughness of your technician and “safe drive time” (the amount of time your vehicle must sit before you can legally drive again after a windshield replacement).
What is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement windshield?
Why is it important?
An OEM replacement windshield is produced from original equipment-style tooling. This type of windshield will have the same appearance of your car’s original windshield and will fit properly in the window frame making noise and leakage problems much less likely.
What do I have to know about adhesives?
Not much at all. When you select Consumer Glass technicians, they’ve been certified by adhesive manufacturers. Discuss specific needs with your technician to select the adhesion process to fit your vehicle, budget and time schedule.
