How To Avoid Windshield Repair and Replacement Frauds

Windshield replacement fraud is a lot more common than you would think. Any technician is capable of replacing a windshield, but a poorly installed windshield will do you more harm than good. Sometimes, less reputable shops will hire inexperienced auto glass technicians to save a bucks, but these technicians could be very detrimental to your windshield. Learn about auto glass fraud by reading our blog below.

Common Frauds You May Encounter

The most common windshield scam involves an individual who approaches an unsuspecting person and offers to conduct a free windshield inspection. Through the inspection, the individual may have found a few cracks or nicks to your windshield, and tell you that you need to get it replaced quickly for safety reasons. This person will then proceed to give you a brief explanation of how quick and simple the replacement is, and that as long as you have full coverage, you won’t be charged for the replacement. Before you can even process the information thrown at you, this person will give you a phone number to call. The person on the other line identifies himself as a third party representative of your insurance company. Since the deal sounds too good to be true, you give them your insurance  information and soon enough, your windshield is “replaced”.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid this fraud

  1. “No”. If you are approached in public by someone offering to conduct a “free” inspection of your windshield, simply tell them “no”, or “I’m not interested”; no reputable auto glass technician will conduct their business in this way.
  2. Do frequent inspections of your windshield. You should be inspecting your windshield regularly for safety reasons. If you are to find a minor damage, call your insurance company and see what options you have. You can also go into a reliable and trustworthy body shop and have it repaired.
  3. Check your bill. After you have decided on a body shop, check the bill you receive and, look it over to ensure that you weren’t charged for more than you ordered. Verify the information on the bill and make sure it matches the information from your chosen body shop.

Another common windshield fraud is done at body shops. Customers will usually walk into a body shop with a minor damage on their windshield that is repairable without the need to be replaced. However, dishonest body shops will tell you that a replacement is required in their profitable interest as a simple repair is significantly cheaper.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid this fraud

  1. Do research. Research your windshield damage so you have a general idea of how this damage should be approached as some damages do not warrant a full windshield replacement but rather just a simple repair. You can also look for reviews on the company so that you know they do good work and are honest about the services they are offering you.
  2. Legitimacy. Ensure that you are going into a body shop that is reliable and trustworthy; ask if their technicians are certified and trained so that you are getting service from a reputable company. Also, see if they offer warranties; a reputable company will stand behind their work.
  3. Hold the repair. Make sure you have all the information you need before you proceed with a repair to avoid overcharges and fraud.

Taking precautions can help you avoid windshield frauds and prevent you from falling into these common traps.

Now that the weather is nicer and road trips are probably being planned right now, windshield damages are more likely to occur. With the helps from our experienced technicians, Wizard Auto Glass offers reliable windshield repairs and replacements at affordable rates.

Call us today at 1 (877) 564 5331 for your warrantied windshield services!