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Minnesota State Law
Section72A.201 Subd.5
Subd. 5. Standards for fair settlement offers
and agreements. The following acts
by an insurer, an adjuster, a self-insured, or a self-insurance
administrator constitute unfair
settlement practices:
(15) requiring that the repair or
replacement of motor vehicle glass and related products and services
be made in a particular place or shop or
by a particular entity, or by otherwise
limiting the ability of the insured to select the place,
shop, or entity to repair or replace the motor vehicle glass and
related products and services; or
(16) engaging in any act
or practice of intimidation,
coercion, threat,
incentive, or inducement
for or against an insured to use
a particular company or location to provide the motor vehicle glass
repair or replacement services or products. For purposes
of this section, a warranty shall not be considered an inducement
or incentive.
Right To Choose
Right To Choose sounds
simple, right? Maybe, but a lot of insurance companies would rather
that you let them choose for you. (or) Give you a list of 'recommended'
shops that have agreed to do the work for the lowest price.
Is price the only factor in having your windshield replaced?
In our opinion it is the least important factor. Why, you ask? Because
the safety of all the passengers of the
vehicle should come first. That is why finding out
if the shop uses: quality urethane (the glue used to hold the windshield
in place), two installers on every job, and also asking if all
the shops installers are certified. That information is most
important. The last thing that should be considered in having the
work done is the cost to your insurance company.
In 25 years of experience we have
never had an insurance company ask us about
the type of urethane we use to glue in the windshield, if we use
the full cut out method, if we have two installers on every windshield
installation, or even if our installers are certified. Doesn't that
seem strange? It sure seems strange to us. Why
don't they ask about those important safety factors?
The only question we are ever asked by the
insurance industry is, "How cheap will you do the work?"
One of the most common claims made to an insurance
company is a glass claim and the most common glass claim is a chipped
or broken windshield. Knowing that your
windshield is one of the most important *safety features*(see
below) in your vehicle; you would hope, no, you should expect that
your insurance company would care enough about you and your family's
safety to make sure you have quality work done on your vehicle.
After all, the insurance company's job is to insure you for when
something bad happens to you and/or your vehicle. So shouldn't they
be more concerned with the windshield being installed properly,
than the cost? We think so.
So if you have glass damage and your insurance company
gives you the name of a company to use, remember two things; You
have the right to choose (See MN State Law above) any glass shop
you want. Second, if you are going to go with the company they recommend
at least be sure to ask your
insurance representitive these questions:
- Does the company use two installers for every
installation?
- Do they use the full cut-out method?
- Are all their installers certified?
- Do the installers wear non-powdered nitrile
gloves?
- Do they have a guarantee/warranty?
If they can't answer these questions for you, should
you trust that the work that company provides is going to protect
you and your family? Why take a chance? The next time you are in
need of glass work, call us first. We do care about your
safety, doing quality work, and as always we handle all the paperwork
for you.
Look at it this way. It's your vehicle. You bought it. You pay the
insurance premiums. You should and have the right to decide who
does the repair work. The MN state law says so.(see above)
*Safety Features of a Windshield*
Windshield installation must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards: 208, 212 and 216. (208
is the standard for airbags to work properly after w/s has been
replaced, 212 is the standard for
w/s retention, holding the passengers inside the vehicle during
a crash or rollover, 216 is the
standard for roof crush resistence, it requires a w/s to be one
of the main supports for the roof of a vehicle in a roll-over accident.)
Polzin Glass
We encourage and look forward to
any and all comments or questions about this information.
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E-mail Jason Polzin with any questions:
mnglassman@hotmail.com
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