We have had some strange articles in tips and tricks; articles on garbage, strange laws and now auto glass. Don’t click to another page, auto glass is far more interesting than you think and besides, auto glass can cost you BIG money! Stick around, grabbed some coffee and take a journey into the world of auto glass. Learn how glass has changed over the years, why it is important to you and what you can do to save yourself money if your windshield, back window or any other piece of auto glass becomes broken!

Let’s begin with a little history. I promise to keep it interesting!

Automobiles have come a long way over the past century and so has auto glass. The first automobiles were designed without the use of glass. Glass was a luxury option that came after the auto became more popular. In fact, the “Greatest Race Ever;" was held in 1908 before auto glass became an essential piece of the automobile, it was also an era when the horse was considered more reliable.

Six teams from all over the world [i.e. France, Italy, Germany and the United States] joined in this highly publicized race sponsored by the New York Times and La Matin, a Paris newspaper. This race was to start in New York, the course heading across the North American Continent, across the Bering Straits and ending in Paris, in the dead of winter. Imagine that, no glass to protect you from the elements of nature. I suppose one should add that it also included no detailed map, no heater and in many cases, no roads! I suppose one could look at the bright side of this, with no windshield, the crews did not have to worry about broken glass! Of course, the only protection they had was goggles, maybe not dashing, but at least something.

With the inception of closed cars, busses and trucks, the demand for glass in a vehicle began to rise sharply. By 1919, driving a vehicle had yet to graduate from a fair weather endeavor; most vehicles still maintained only a one person [driver] top and side curtains. Of course, glass was an expensive option to add to vehicles at that time. Glass companies made the glass by a batch method. In 1924, the glass industry learned and applied the continuous ribbon method of production. This method made glass more efficient, reliable and cost effective, leading to vehicles coming equipped completely with glass [as one now expects], allowing vehicle use during all weather conditions. [Approximately 1929] The most lucrative advance [as far as the driver was concerned] via the utilization of the ribbon method of manufacturing glass, was improved visibility!

During the same time period, laminated glass was introduced [1927]. Prior to this time, vehicle glass shattered, and sharp shards could cut passengers. Laminated glass is made by pressing two pieces of glass together with a center film which holds the glass in cases of breakage. This technique has improved over the years. Today, the windshield is an integral part of your vehicle’s safety structure, it is meant to keep occupants from being ejected during collision, it acts as a rebound point for the deflection of airbags, and it holds the vehicle roof in place during roll-over collisions so as to not crush the occupant.

Now that you know why glass is important, how do you keep breakage from costing you big money? The number one means by which to save yourself money on the actual cost of glass is to carry adequate insurance coverage. Specific states have enacted laws to protect insured motorists. In Florida, if you carry comprehensive insurance on your vehicle and your windshield needs to be replaced, the law states that your comprehensive deductible is waived and your windshield is repaired or replaced at no cost to you! In Kentucky, Massachusetts and South Carolina as long as you carry comprehensive insurance on your vehicle, the law states that your deductible will be waived for all pieces of glass, meaning no matter which piece of glass is damaged, your insurance will pay.

In other states, if you carry comprehensive insurance, your deductible will apply. Generally most windshields and side glass is below $500.00, so if you carry a $500.00 deductible you will be required to pay for your glass. If you do have a deductible, or no insurance, and you need glass, be sure to call your local auto glass replacement centers and ask for a cash quote.

If you carry comprehensive insurance, ask your insurance agent about a glass rider. These riders are generally inexpensive [an extra $15.00 - $30.00], but if something should happen to your windshield, or any other piece of glass, your insurance company pays for the replacement.

I have worked in the auto glass industry for a great many years. I have heard some specific quotes from many, many customers. I would like to repeat them here:

1. My agent says I should wait until it cracks across. My advice: CHANGE AGENTS! If you have a chip or a crack in your windshield, the integrity of a vital piece of safety equipment has been compromised. If you are involved in an accident, with a compromised windshield one of the following may happen:

a. In a Roll Over – the roof can collapse onto the vehicle’s occupant

b. If your air bag is deployed – and you have a chip or crack in your windshield, your airbag may become sliced or not deploy properly

c. An occupant may be thrown through the windshield

In any case; this could result in serious injury which would have otherwise been prevented. If your agent tells you to wait, he does not have your best interest in mind, but rather his best interest; he or she is looking at a monetary advantage for themselves.

2. My agent says I have to go to this shop: In most states, it is illegal to tell you where you must go to get your work completed. If your agent is sending you to a specific shop, most likely he or she is getting some form of reward from that company for sending you to them. Again, your agent does not have your best interest at heart; he is looking for personal gain. On the other hand, if you say you do not have a specific glass company in mind and your agent suggests a company to you, they are only attempting to assist you. Please keep that in mind.

3. I thought I had glass coverage, but I don’t: Do not trust that just because you said you wanted the coverage you actually got it. Scan your policy immediately to assure that you do have proper coverage for your vehicle.

4. It’s only a little chip: little chips can become cracks, or can allow a crack o ensue during a collision, or upon extreme temperature changes. Windshields are repairable. If you do not have insurance coverage, a repair, by far, is much less costly than a replacement. If you do have insurance coverage, most insurance companies will waive your deductible for a repair. Thus you will stop the chip from spreading and still not have to pay.

BE WISE! If you have auto glass damage, email me; tell me what type of vehicle you have, the year, make and model; how many doors, which piece of glass, if there is anything special about that piece of glass [i.e. is it shaded, is there an antenna in the glass, etc] tell me if you do or do not have insurance. If you have insurance – DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE IT – AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT ABUSE COMPREHENSIVE CLAIMS, YOUR RATES WILL NOT BE