Don’t Be Scammed by a Glass Repair Vendor
February 24, 2023
Auto glass abuse (where a disreputable repair shop or service provider sues an insurance company on the policyholder’s behalf) has become a major problem in the Sunshine State.
In this age of convenience, a lot of vehicle owners have been unknowingly scammed when trying to have their windshield damage fixed by signing an AOB, or assignment of benefits, that alters the owner's position in any subsequent lawsuit.
To quote an old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
A signed AOB form means you give the auto glass repairer the right to make repairs, submit a claim, and control any litigation filed in your name regarding the insurance claim process. Dishonest vendors who notice minor windshield damage often approach consumers in a parking lot, at a car wash, at the gas pump, or even in their home to offer incentives like gift cards or cash rebates while claiming they will work directly with insurance carrier to get the owner a free windshield replacement.
What Florida Drivers Need to Know
Florida vehicle owners need to know that state statutes make windshield repairs free in Sunshine state for comprehensive insurance claims. However, windshield damage not covered by a comprehensive insurance policy can require the stated deductible.*
Comprehensive coverage deductible does not apply to motor vehicle glass.—The deductible provisions of any policy of motor vehicle insurance, delivered or issued in this state by an authorized insurer, providing comprehensive coverage or combined additional coverage shall not be applicable to damage to the windshield of any motor vehicle covered under such policy.
Florida Statutes – 627.7388
Whether your windshield was damaged while you were driving the insured vehicle, during a windstorm, or as the result of vandalism, the insurance carrier cannot charge the owner a deductible for windshield repairs under comprehensive coverage.
*If the damage to your windshield is due to a motor vehicle crash, you likely will not be eligible for a deductible-free windshield repair, this includes being involved in a single-car accident.
Scammers Impact Insurance Premium Increases
Assignment of benefits is a legal process that allows an insurance policyholder to sign over his or her insurance benefits to a third party in exchange for a quick convenient repair and often with incentives to further entice the owner of the vehicle. If you are concerned about auto insurance premium increases in Florida, insurance companies say AOB lawsuits following a scam are a primary contributor to the rising cost of coverage as insurers raise rates to compensate for their losses.
Fortunately, the problems created by these disreputable repair services haven’t gone unnoticed in Tallahassee as Representative Griff Griffitts filed a House bill (HB 541) that would end AOBs for vehicle windshield and other glass repairs. More recently, Senator Linda Stewart filed legislation (SB 1002) that would both ban assignment of benefits for auto glass repairs as well as prohibit repair shops from offering incentives like gift cards or cash back.
In an article published in Florida Politics about the need to “fix the cracks”, Senator Stewart also warned about another popular fraud that is being seen in the Sunshine State. Rather than simply repair windshield damage, disreputable glass repair shops will do a windshield replacement. Since many of today’s vehicles have sensors built-in to the windshield that have to be calibrated for advanced features like driver assistance to work, drivers can be surprised when they have to pay for calibration out of their own pocket.
As long as it doesn’t interfere with your vision, you can drive with a cracked windshield in Florida; but it is not advisable. Here at Nsurance Nation, we are all about convenience and we do offer easy ways for you to obtain online insurance quotes. But, we also believe in providing you with quality customer service and are always ready to assist with your auto insurance needs. Call us today at 833-450-9490.
