Auto Glass Replacement

By Frank Garrett:  https://www.lawrencevilleautoglass.net

If you have a damaged vehicle that needs attention, reach out to an auto glass shop for assistance. Before you decide to deal with a certain company, kindly ensure that they are registered and provide standard service. You do not want to associate with people who will give you poor service leading to more damage that will make you spend more. The company should also have the capability of working with the insurance company in that they present the replacement bill to the insurer. With this, you won’t pay out of pocket as the claim will be made to your insurer. The auto shop should also allow cash and checks from clients who do not have insurance cover.

Auto glass shops have technicians who are skilled and offer professional service to clients. The technicians can advise you on actions that need to be taken depending on the type of damage your vehicle has. For example, in the case where you have windscreen damage, they will look into it and provide a solution. The windscreen can have small damage; this you can decide to repair or make a full replacement.

Where you have large damage the whole windscreen will have to be fixed. The technicians are well trained to carry out the process and have you back on the road safely. While replacing the windscreen proper materials should be used, a material that matches the specification of the original. An accident may occur if the installation is done using a material that doesn’t go in line with the other car parts. This can be experienced during an accident where car parts such as airbags may not function in the scene because the windscreen wasn’t installed properly.

Complications you might face

Replacing the rear window can be so hectic and complicated, due to this you need to consult an expert to work on it just to avoid more damages. Get the car to a qualified glass shop for replacement as it will need much attention. The rear window is very crucial, it provides safety for the people inside the car, has an aesthetic effect to the vehicle, brings more light inside the vehicle and also protects in cases of harsh weather conditions.

Also during an accident, it keeps the passengers safe and the number of injuries is usually reduced. In most cases side windows are replaced, they are made with tempered glass which cannot be repaired. This kind of door must be replaced also with the help of an expert. Most of the time a broken window is usually from an attempted break-in. You can get an auto glass shop that will provide you with a security component after the replacement. This component will hold the glass tight and protect the glass from breaking. If you get in contact with a glass company that is aware of the incidents associated with such attacks they will provide you with services that will help deal with the issues.

The Basics of Auto Side Window Glass Replacement

Car Window Repair

We have seen a number of advancements and developments over the past few decades that have taken the auto glass from being just like window glass to a formidable first line of defense against the elements. From thin films that block out harmful rays of light to the technologies that ensure windows don’t break into shards upon impact, virtually all types of auto glass now provide an array of benefits that did not exist in years past. Your auto glass is designed to protect you from wind, rain, debris, and other elements that are encountered while driving. Usually, the windshield itself does a great job of blocking these harmful elements.

Since the windshield does such a good job at keeping these elements out of the car, we can often forget about auto side window glass and its benefits. Even though we may often hear about windshield damage and windshield replacements, the need for side window glass replacement is more common than you’d think. Your glass can become weakened or compromised through car accidents, aged glass, and the need to break into the vehicle to retrieve keys, a baby, or something else. With this in mind, how exactly does the replacement process for side window glass work? Below, we’ll discuss the key points of this process and help you understand what you should expect when this service is needed.

The Damage is Inspected

Before any replacement can occur, an auto glass technician will need to inspect the area where the side auto glass is damaged. Usually, an auto glass technician can come to your location to perform the repair, especially if your vehicle currently cannot be driven due to a busted window. The replacement process is almost always the same, but a technician will have to first determine if any special glass is needed for the replacement. After all of this has been done, the technician can move forward with the correct approach and have the repairs performed the same-day.

The Panel is Removed

The paneling alongside your door is used to keep the auto glass in place and will also provide assistance in ensuring that the glass stays on the track as the window is rolled up or down. This will obviously have to be removed in order for the technician to access the remaining side window and any particles inside of it. Even if the window is completely shattered, there probably remains pieces of glass below the panel that you cannot see. Once this is removed, each remaining piece of side window glass can be extracted. The technician will now be able to prepare the area for the new glass.

The Debris is Removed

Especially true if your side window has shattered, hundreds of pieces of glass can easily work their way into the paneling and other parts of your vehicle. Your window regulator can be damaged by this glass if it is not completely removed during installation, so this is a prime consideration for any auto glass technician performing a replacement job. Your auto glass technician will vacuum out any particles that have found themselves embedded in the vehicle, and this is the last step before the actual replacement process begins.

The Window is Inserted

With all of this completed, the replacement side window can now be installed. The window will be placed on the tracks in your door to ensure that it rolls up and down as intended. After this is completed, the window will need to be tested before the paneling is replaced. The auto glass technician will verify that the regulator in the door is in proper order and that no obstacles remain that could impede its functionality. If the regulator appears to have malfunctioned, then a replacement regulator will also have to be installed. There are only a few small steps remaining once the window has been installed and the regulator has been verified as working.

Replacing the Panel and Detailing

After the window is inserted and it is double-checked to ensure it is working, the technician will then begin to replace the paneling. Subpar techniques when it comes to refitting this piece of your car can cause damage to the regulator, so the auto glass technician has to make sure that nothing is in the way when doing this. After this, the technician will clean the windows and ensure that your view of the road isn’t obstructed by debris or smudging. Your new window is now installed and you can begin driving immediately! This entire process generally takes around an hour to complete – assuming no additional parts like new regulators are needed.

In almost all cases, the replacement process for a side window is a quick and painless task. The technician will inspect the area, remove the paneling from the door, clean out any shattered glass and debris from the area, install the new window, and replace the paneling. You don’t want to drive around with a busted window for long periods of time – be sure to call your auto glass shop today to schedule a replacement! Properly installed windows and windshields ensure long-term safety and convenience while behind the wheel.

Author: Frank Gilkeson,

Be Vigil This Winter Against With These Auto Glass Safety Tips

Auto Glass Norcross GA

With winter now in full swing, it comes as no surprise that the elements are taking a harder than normal toll on our automobiles. From dead batteries that plague us when we’re trying to go to work to the occasional flat tire caused by cold temperatures, there can be plenty of problems that arise due to cold weather and frozen precipitation. Not many people, however, have considered how temperatures can impact their windshield and auto glass; with rapid fluctuations in temperature being fairly common in the winter months, this can cause extra strain on your glass and present numerous problems.

Nobody wants to be caught in the dead of winter with a broken window or windshield, so it only makes sense to be as careful as possible to ensure the optimal performance of this vital piece of automobile equipment. Whether you drive for a living or simply need a vehicle to get from point A to point B, you want to take precautions to ensure the quality and safety of your drive is a top priority. In the following article, we will discuss some common problems you may experience in the winter with your auto glass and how to either avoid these issues or correct them quickly and safely.

Damage to Existing Cracks

If your windshield or auto glass already has damage that is visible, then it is vital that you have this repaired as soon as possible. Rapid changes in temperature – like those experienced during winter driving – can quickly cause the auto glass to expand and contract. This is a constant occurrence in any form of auto glass, but it is usually so subtle that you would never notice it. Whenever the glass is damaged, however, these contractions and expansions can cause the cracks to quickly become worse, possibly turning a simple repair into an expensive replacement. Nobody wants to have to deal with that.

Fortunately, most insurance policies cover repairs to your windshield and auto glass with no out of pocket cost to you. We highly recommend that you consult with an auto glass technician at the first sight of any damage, particularly in the winter months when these rapid changes in temperature between night and day can further damage the glass. In some cases, it only takes a few days of bad weather to turn your windshield or window into an unsalvageable prospect; by acting quickly, you will save yourself time, money, and frustration (not to mention the obvious safety implications that come with properly maintained auto glass).

Moisture Problems

Whether you have noticed damage to your windshield or to one of your windows, it is important to keep the area free from moisture until it can be repaired. Whenever moisture works its way into cracks or chips, it can add an exponential effect to what was discussed above – namely, the expansion of liquid as it freezes can lead to cracks being exacerbated in a much more rapid fashion than under normal conditions. This means that your windshield or glass may have moisture in it on a cold winter morning (which froze there), is melted to some degree while driving, and then freezes again once the vehicle is parked. This back and forth will damage the windshield and result in replacements for the glass being needed sooner or later.

The best way to ensure that this does not happen is to park in a covered area to prevent moisture from forming. In the event that dew or frost somehow manages to find its way into an existing crack or chip and has frozen, a good de-icer can quickly remove any moisture and help you ensure that no further damage is done while the vehicle is being driven during daylight hours.

Go Easy on Your Doors

The winter months can make even solid windows naturally more susceptible to damage, so you should strive to be more careful when it comes to your handling of doors. Weaker glass may shatter at any time when the door is shut too hard, but the winter can cause even the best auto glass to shatter if the door is shut too strongly, leaving you without a window when you need it the most. We recommend a way to avoid this fate, which involves maintaining contact with the door handle until the car door is completely shut and by not exerting too much force.

Whether you want to make it through the winter months without sustaining any new damage to your automobile’s glass or simply need to prevent existing damage from becoming worse, there are a few simple tactics you can employ to guarantee this. By going easy on your doors when you open and close them, you can avoid the unexpected shattering of windows. The elimination of moisture from existing damage areas will ensure that the damage is not accelerated by freezing and thawing processes (but the existing damage must be taken care of as soon as possible). Finally, you can protect yourself and your family by ensuring that the vehicle is not exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods of time, which can weaken the auto glass and exacerbate existing defects. All of these strategies will keep your auto glass in solid shape and help ensure your safety when on the road.

Elements that can acceerate wind damage

A windshield is designed to withstand all of the elements of Mother Nature. Since the very first windshields that were made of window glass, the industry has continued to evolve and produce better variations of windshields and auto glass that provide additional safety, convenience, and strength to a vehicle. This is done for several reasons, with primary consideration for the safety and protection of the driver from wind, precipitation, debris, UV rays, and accidents. Enhancements that provide these benefits in many cases would have been non-existent or less effective just a few decades ago.

A windshield is designed to protect you, but it, unfortunately, will take a beating in the process. At some point or another, a windshield will suffer damage significant enough to create a chip, crack or fissure in the glass. This can be the beginning of a gradual process that results in the entire windshield being compromised, which eliminates its life-saving effectiveness. With damage to the windshield, it can be a matter of days or months before the damage spreads. There are several known culprits that can exacerbate the damage before you have the necessary repairs performed; we’ll discuss these elements below. Many of these elements will cause damage beyond repair and require a windshield replacement.

Wind

The primary consideration of a windshield for many is the deflection of air, as you may often cruise at speeds strong enough for winds to feel like a tropical storm. Whenever there is damage to a windshield, wind can create conditions conducive to damage acceleration by forcing itself into the nooks and crannies of the damage. This can speed up overall fracturing and chipping, which destroys the structural integrity of the surrounding glass. One of the most important reasons why you should not drive when you have damage to the windshield, the wind’s powerful forces are a true match for any damaged windshield.

Snow

Various forms of precipitation are a common concern when on the road, but snow can be deleterious when you have damage to the windshield. Due to the friction from the wind as you drive, the snow has a tendency to melt. Whenever you start your car, there may be frozen moisture in the cracks of the chip that has expanded. As you drive, this will melt but can often re-freeze after a short commute and in cold conditions. This constant expansion and contraction within the damaged area works to undermine the strength of the windshield and creates conditions for more cracks to emerge.

Dust

The wind as you drive can be damaging to an already compromised windshield, but dust carried along with it presents an added effect. Fine, gritty particles are in the air all around us but are much more forceful when you are moving at speeds of several dozen miles per hour. This consistent contact of dust with your windshield will ultimately result in some particles making direct contact with the damaged area. This abrasive scenario combined with wind can further speed up the process of damage to your windshield according to GlassBYTEs, which may result in a complete windshield replacement being needed.

Rough Roads

Vibrations are another consideration when it comes to auto glass and existing damage. As your windshield is designed to provide strength in the event of a roll-over, it obviously absorbs shock and reinforces the surrounding areas of the vehicle. The consistent vibrations from potholes and other rough road surfaces can cause a fracture or crack to instantly expand when you least expect it. One bumpy turn onto a highway and your automobile’s windshield repair job just became a windshield replacement job. For those without comprehensive auto insurance, the difference between the two can be hundreds of dollars.

Larger Debris

It would seem that one bad windshield incident would be enough, but you can never be too sure. Small rocks, pebbles, or other forms of debris may find their way in the path of your windshield while it is still damaged, which is a huge risk to your personal safety. If an object makes close contact with the damaged area, it may be enough to completely compromise the windshield or shatter it. Such an event on the open road can create complete chaos in the immediate aftermath, making it more likely for a series of events to unfold that could prove fatal. In most cases, however, any debris that comes into contact with a damaged windshield merely exacerbates the problem and may result in a replacement.

When you drive with a damaged windshield, you put yourself at an increased risk of injury or harm while on the road. A variety of natural and man-made elements can prove hazardous to your windshield and exacerbate damage, so it is important to have your windshield repaired as soon as you notice the damage. In most cases, the auto repair technician will come to your location to perform the repairs. There is no need to be the victim of a preventable accident; by repairing your windshield promptly, you guarantee safety and convenience on so many levels while behind the wheel and will save money in the long-run.

The Five Most Commonly Asked Auto Glass Repair Questions

Windshield Replacement

Regardless of the make and model of your car, truck or SUV, you are guaranteed to have at least one thing in common with all other vehicle owners: your auto glass is an important part of the vehicle’s safety and convenience. Not only does auto glass help keep us safe from debris as we drive, but it also helps – in conjunction with the car’s other windows – provide a level of climate control and comfort while driving.

Another important yet often overlooked benefit to a windshield and complete set of auto glass is the reinforcement it offers to the roof if your car suddenly rolls over. These three benefits should be enough to convince any car owner that their auto glass should be a top priority. Understandably, those who understand this will be distressed when they discover damage to their windshield or auto glass.

What options are available to fix the damage?

How much will it cost?

Can the damage be fixed, or will a replacement be needed?

These questions and worries are legitimate, but few know all the answers if they haven’t gone through the experience before. Whether you have damage and you want to know what comes next, or you simply want to be prepared, we’ll discuss the five most commonly asked auto glass repair questions so you can be informed on the answers.

Do I really need to fix this damage?

With so many households tight on cash right now, the first question that comes to one’s mind when they notice damage to their windshield is whether or not the damage actually needs to be repaired. Money shouldn’t be the primary concern here – as we’ll address below – but yes, even the smallest forms of damage need to be addressed in an expedient fashion. The biggest reason for this relates to how auto glass can be damaged even more from a small crack or chip. Potholes, vibrations, and fluctuations in temperature can all cause a small crack or chip to become much larger in a short period of time. If you want to avoid having the entire piece of glass replaced, then you’ll act quickly while a repair is still viable.

Is it safe to simply repair (and not replace)?

An auto glass technician will be more than happy to come out and inspect the damage to your windshield or windows. In the case of small cracks or chips, it is virtually always safe to simply have a windshield repair on the damage and keep your existing windshield. If the crack is less than six inches in all directions, then the repair process will be sound. Only if the damage is large or extends in multiple directions may the windshield need to be replaced. The key to saving your auto glass is to catch the damage early, have the area treated with a powerful resin and prevent any cracks from spreading from that point in the future.

What do I do if the crack is huge?

In the event your windshield has been struck with something that left a huge, running crack, then you will most likely require an auto glass replacement job. This means that the entire sheet of glass is removed from the vehicle and replaced with a brand new, OEE solution. Because glass provides so much strength to the vehicle in an accident, a large crack can wind up compromising the strength of the windshield – even if it were to be repaired. This process usually takes a few hours from start to finish, and that includes the time that is needed for the windshield to cure before driving.

How much does a repair or replacement cost?

This is a big worry for many with auto glass damage and is probably the number one reason why people put off the repairs. Unfortunately for consumers, the delay of repairs can actually cost more money later on down the road. If you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage, then it is almost certain that any repairs done to your windshield or auto glass will be free of charge.

Without insurance, this may cost up to $75. If you need a replacement windshield, however, then your costs will vary widely (depending on deductible and whether you have insurance or not). A complete out of pocket windshield replacement may cost as much as $500, while an insured driver will spend anywhere from $100-250 in most cases. What risks are involved? When you have the work performed by a qualified auto glass technician, the risks to your vehicle are virtually none.

Qualified technicians go through comprehensive training programs to ensure they know what they are doing, while the overall work itself is focused on an area of the car where it is difficult to do any damage to other parts of the vehicle. The most common worry is that the auto glass (during a replacement) will not be installed properly. This risk can be eliminated by always verifying the background and business standing of the shop in question before making any decision as to where to have the repairs performed.

How to Successfully Influence Customers Electronically

Home Inspections

As social distancing turns into the new ordinary all through the US and the world, experts across businesses are making exceptional and prompt changes to their work and introduction styles. With the speedy move to telecommuting, business pioneers, attorneys, and deals and marketing groups are exploring new landscape—making sense of how to adequately discuss such that will accomplish an ideal result while working remotely. There’s nothing very like the vitality and association that an eye to eye connection can make, however, we need to attempt to work with what we have. So, on the grounds that we’re in a time of social distancing doesn’t imply that work and influence stop.

Remote work was a rising pattern before the COVID-19 pandemic, with standard work-at-home growing 173 percent since 2005. With such a large number of extra organizations moving to a work-at-home structure, for now, it’s protected to accept that more extensive long haul appropriation will turn out to be significantly increasingly common over the coming years. Even businesses like home inspections are being affected. It’s a smart thought for experts to begin adapting now how to associate remotely to remain on the ball. Here are a couple of apparatuses and strategies that will assist you with turning into a fruitful and enticing communicator by means of a remote association.

Adhere to the nuts and bolts

Indeed, even though a remote association, the nuts and bolts of influence apply. It’s fundamental that you get your work done and find out about the chief. Because you aren’t meeting eye to eye doesn’t imply that you can skirt the basis you would normally finish. What is your objective’s socioeconomics? Do they have any unique interests? You’ll have to build up a much more grounded attach to convince through remote methods, so flex your examination abilities and find out about your objective. You ought to likewise keep on finding their necessities and torment focuses. Learning this data will assist you with showing to your leader that you comprehend their objectives, regardless of whether you can’t see them face to face. Setting up a solid feeling of understanding will assist you with building trust and permit you to situate yourself as a guide. This trust will be basic for remote influence.

Influence innovation

Albeit telecommuting can make another degree of partition from your objective, innovation has advanced a far cry with regards to relational correspondence. Instruments, for example, Zoom and Skype for Business permit your crowd to see your face. You should use your whole innovation suite to assist you with convincing remotely.

Visuals must lead your leader to your ideal decision. Make cleaned introductions to either show by means of a phone call or email in front of your gathering. At the point when you may not normally do this when meeting up close and personal, you may consider consolidating a video introduction too. Video can be a fabulous method to build up a passionate association with your chief, accommodating a remarkable narrating opportunity complete with visual and melodic prompts. Almost 90 percent of experts showed that a solid account was basic in keeping up their consideration. Commitment with your story is a higher priority than any time in recent memory, as you’ll be contending with extra interruptions including family and pets.

Practice and build up a style

Individual vitality trade is extremely troublesome through a PC screen. You should figure out who you are as a moderator in this new medium. How might you be progressively powerful through remote association? Before hopping on a telephone call, practice on your PC by recording yourself and playing it back to perceive how you present on camera. Think this is taking it excessively far? Consider the first occasion when you needed to leave an expert phone message and were called out to convey your necessities in a concise message. It required some investment to hone those aptitudes and you’re likely a star now! The equivalent is valid for online introductions.

It may take a couple of rounds to get settled, however now in your vocation, there’s no opportunity to bumble. “Careful discipline brings about promising results!” Be critical OK do an up close and personal gathering and not development? In no way, shape, or form! You would consistently catch up with your leader and you have to proceed with that with a remote association.

Consider ways you can catch everyone’s eye.

What about an old fashioned, manually written card to say thanks sent to their home? During when the individual association is limited, it may be a chance to light up your client’s day and construct trust. Simply ensure you send it to the right location. In the event that they’re likewise telecommuting, a note to the workplace will lose all sense of direction in the mix.

Conclusion

While numerous experts are accustomed to convincing through eye to eye cooperation, the present atmosphere requires another strategy. Because you can’t meet face to face with your leaders doesn’t imply that you can’t, in any case, carry out your responsibility. Figuring out how to successfully convince by means of remote association is conceivable, and by following the fundamental standards of influence, utilizing your innovation suite, setting time to practice, and creating approaches to be essential, you despite everything have a solid possibility at driving your leader to the ideal result. While remote influence may require more exertion and arrangement, you can get the outcomes you look for in the event that you take the time and remember these rules.

Sink or Swim in the Real Estate Market during Covid-19

Home Inspections

You realize that familiar adage, “The cream ascends to the top?” It’s unquestionably obvious in real estate. The present driving specialists have endured storms previously, and they know; They know the key to progress and life span is acceptable correspondence.

“Need to realize how to build consumer loyalty? Need to realize how to get more referrals? Need to realize how to get increasingly five-star surveys? The appropriate response is to impart,” Nicole Anthony, of Keller Williams Realty Chattanooga.

Correspondence has consistently been significant in real estate, both during an exchange and as a continuous methodology for holding customers, building referrals, and creating new customers. In any case, it’s more essential now than at any other time in recent memory. We’re in an unfamiliar area, and customers and would-be customers are searching for data and administration.
In case you’re thinking about how to explore your interchanges technique on these inquisitive occasions, we have tips.

Try not to be reluctant to connect with customers

This may be clear in case you’re in an exchange or are as of now working with a purchaser to discover a property. As Anthony says, “fortunately, similar to a grin, correspondence can possibly have a significant effect. As a real estate operator, you basically can’t try too hard. In addition, with the present mechanical focal points (obviously, there’s a telephone in everyone’s pocket) correspondence is basically free. So for what reason be close-fisted about imparting? Your customers and potential customers’ desires are high. Previously, during and after an exchange, there’s nobody thing more basic than correspondence. In all honesty, it’s difficult to try too hard.”

Be that as it may, this is likewise a crucial time to be in contact with past customers and prospects all the time. They need to recognize what’s going on in the market, what’s new with rates, and how market conditions will by and by swaying them—presently and later on. This is an ideal opportunity to show your initiative and position yourself as an authority with the information and ability they look for. At that point, when it’s the ideal opportunity for them to purchase or sell, they’ll look to you.

A progressing interchanges plan encourages you to concentrate on maintenance, console purchasers and merchants, and remain in front of the brain so you can keep on developing your business during this transitional period and guarantee future and referral business.

Be keen about your interchanges methodology

The issue is that a progressing correspondence program is tedious and can be trying to organize among the numerous other day-by-day obligations you face. Also, the way that producing that substance takes a completely extraordinary range of abilities. Simply thinking of thoughts for significant articles and informing can take additional time than you have saved for your marketing. What’s more, in the event that you don’t have GOOD substance, you should not trouble by any stretch of the imagination.

This is the reason such a large number of real estate specialists and organizations use outside assets for their correspondences program. Odds are acceptable that when you see extraordinary substance originating from an operator or organization, it’s being created from a source like the homes for sale in Ooltewah TN. Top real estate specialists see the incentive in utilizing demonstrated marketing instruments like these customized pamphlets that are made and conveyed month to month, are totally marked to, and about, them, incorporate pertinent, expertly made substance, and come in both computerized and printable configurations. Specialists can likewise utilize this pamphlet to advance their dynamic postings and utilize the “Thinking about What Your Home Is Worth?” capacity to create leads.

Think social

This is likewise the perfect time to begin, add to, or update your web-based life plan. We as a whole realize that web-based life marketing is fundamental today for a business, and real estate is the same. You may as of now have a procedure down and have the opportunity, aptitude, and imagination to do your own effort with dynamic, important, lead-producing posts. However, numerous specialists don’t.

You can go through some cash on a class to gain proficiency with the devices and stunts of online networking marketing and put aside a lump of time each week to build up a technique, compose posts, track examination, and keep realizing when the social channels unavoidably change their procedures (once more).

This is a difficult time for us all, and, at any rate for the present, “the same old thing” has been expelled from our jargon. At the point when the economy takes care of under any circumstances, our marketing dollars are regularly the main cut. In any case, similarly, as real estate has been regarded as a necessary business, marketing is a basic expense. The secret to staying with it right currently is to be more intelligent about your marketing dollars and to pick the devices that can convey big-time results with a little money-related duty.

My Glass is Shattered, Now What?

Each year, tens of thousands of automobile accidents occur on the road that can leave one or more vehicles in no shape to be driven. Sometimes, a buster tire is all that is the issue; in other cases, the vehicle may be completely totaled, leaving the owner without transportation until a replacement can be secured. Whatever the level of damage, these types of accidents are never welcome developments. A wreck or natural disaster may also create the conditions that led to broken auto glass or windshields, both of which are required elements of any car in order to enjoy a safe driving experience.

You can be thankful that due to recent innovations, any glass that was broken in the wake of an accident or disaster shattered into tiny pieces instead of becoming large splinters of glass that could have injured you or someone else. When an event like this occurs, most people simply want to get on with life and resolve the matter in as little time as possible. If you have suffered from an accident and need to see about auto glass replacement or repair, then continue reading to find out about how the claims process via your car insurance works.

Reporting Your Claim

In the wake of an accident, the first thing you’ll need to do is report the claim. For most insurance policies, you have two options: you can file a claim by phone or you can file a claim via the internet. In the case of the former, you should be able to find a toll-free number on the back of your insurance policy. If you wish to file a claim on the internet, then you’ll need to navigate through the system to find options that cover your type of damage (auto glass). In either case, insurance companies recommend that you file the claim as soon as possible after the accident occurred in order to ensure prompt repairs and lower costs.

As you are reporting the claim, your insurance agent or the software evaluating the claims process will determine what type of insurance you have. Virtually all comprehensive coverage policies will ensure that any repairs that need to be done can be done so without paying a deductible. The process will then help find you a suitable location for repairs to be performed at (home, work, accident site), with the majority of these repairs being performed in under 24 hours.

Payments Required

As mentioned earlier, full coverage insurance policies usually guarantee that there will be no out of pocket costs to you for the repair of any auto glass or windshield. If you have to have a complete replacement of a piece of glass, however, then you will most likely be required to pay a deductible. A deductible is an amount applied to your insurance that you must pay before coverage kicks in. Once you have met the deductible, your insurance will cover the rest of the cost of replacement. In many cases, a deductible for these repairs will be anywhere from $50 to $200. The average windshield replacement cost without insurance can easily top $300.

In some cases, however, your insurance company may also cover complete windshield damage. In the case of Progressive, for instance, they offer a policy feature that protects you in the event that your windshield is damaged to the point that it needs to be replaced. You can check to see if your current insurance policy offers this feature, but there is a good chance that it does not if you are not already aware of its presence.

Repair and Replacement Solutions

Your insurance company can provide you with a list of all of their preferred glass retailers and technicians. While this may seem like a great idea – and many agents will explain this in a way that makes it sound like you have no other choice – you may not be getting what you bargained for. In some cases, insurance agencies direct business to specific auto glass companies for a piece of the pie, which means that you may not be getting the best service. Insurance companies often won’t tell you that you can pick a different place to make the repairs or do the replacement. It is important that you know your rights in this situation.

Conclusion

Whenever disaster strikes, you most likely will not be prepared. In the wake of it all, however, you can make the right decisions. Anyone who has damage to their windshield or auto glass must file a claim with their insurance provider as soon as possible to ensure a smooth resolution. During this process, you’ll be able to discover any additional charges for replacement or where you would like to have the repairs performed. Driving around with a damaged windshield is dangerous and can threaten the lives of you and your passengers, so please be sure to take care of any noticed damage as soon as possible.

Lesser-known Ways to Maintain Your Auto Glass (and Vehicle)

Lesser-known Ways to Maintain Your Auto Glass (and Vehicle)

So many people have been fortunate enough to not have to replace their auto glass or windshield during the lifetime of their vehicle, but you never know when disaster can strike. Even the smallest of objects can create disastrous results when combined with the speeds we normally cruise on the road; in most cases, nobody even sees the damage coming. Small cracks and chips may not be avoidable in these situations, but the overall strength of your auto glass is something you can properly maintain. There are several ways in which your auto glass can be maintained that do not immediately come to mind for many.

What if we told you that your auto glass can affect fuel economy, safety and interior temperature? In most cases, the way in which you care for your auto glass can affect these elements as well. Through a variety of simple yet effective solutions, you can be sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape and your auto glass is up to the task of keeping you safe and comfortable. In the following article, we’ll outline some ways that you can get the most from your auto glass and ensure smooth performance in the miles ahead.

Park in the Shade

There are several reasons as to why you should always try to park your vehicle in the shade on a hot summer day. For starters, the interior temperature of your vehicle will be spared the brunt of the summer’s heat, making it easier and quicker to cool down. It can also help keep any other items stored in the car from melting or being damaged. Another reason relates to periodic cleaning of your glass – if there are any elements of liquid or dirt on your windshield or auto glass when the sun’s rays are at their strongest, it can cause streaks and spots to form on the windshield. This will require cleaning to remove and if not, can cause visual obstructions while driving.

One more major reason as to why parking in the shade is important relates to the strength of the automobile’s glass. Whenever you have any type of existing damage to the auto glass of your car – even if it not yet visible – rapid fluctuations in temperature can create stress on the glass and cause weakening/further deterioration of the glass to occur. The damage is not caused by the heat itself, but rather, from the rapid cooling of the automobile once you have turned on the air conditioner and begin to drive it. When you park in a shaded area, you help prevent these fluctuations from occurring.

Gradually Warm-Up Windows

For the same reasons mentioned above, it can be dangerous to blast heat onto frozen or cold windows and windshields on winter mornings. A recent Fox report showed that blasting your car heater vents onto a frozen windshield can actually cause the glass to break – not something you want happening on a cold winter morning before work. In order to prevent this and maximize the life of your car windows, please be sure to angle your car vents away from the glass and allow the vehicle several minutes to warm up before you turn the heat on. Some may like to leave the car running until the interior has warmed up; if you must, then direct the heat through the vents in your floorboard instead.

Clean Windows Boost Mileage

Did you know that a dirty windshield or set of windows can actually impact your fuel economy over the long-term? While the difference is not major between fill-ups, you can actually rob anywhere from 1-2% of your fuel economy by driving with dirty windows. Elements such as dust, debris, bugs, and other objects with surface area impede the windshield’s aerodynamic traits and make it harder for the vehicle to move along without drag. Because of this, you can also put additional wear on your engine. Rather than losing money at the pump and in maintenance costs over the years, be sure to wipe down your auto glass in order to ensure safe and clear visibility, and better fuel economy.

Use Proper Cleaning Techniques

All too many people try to clean their windows but come up short when it comes to technique. For starters, never apply solution or cleaner directly to the glass; instead, apply it to a cloth and then use the cloth to remove dirt and debris from the windshield. Some people make the mistake of using items such as newspapers to clean their windows – once again, this is not a good idea. The ink and chemicals on the paper can ultimately leech into your glass and cause staining issues (many of which are not noticeable at first). Last but not least, always be sure to roll your windows down in order to clean the entire surface. These cleaning tips will help remove excess dirt from your glass and ensure that no damage is done to the glass.