First, small cracks can normally be easily fixed by a reputable glass company. With the technology a well-equipped glass company can provide a more structurally sound windshield once fixed. Most insurance companies will completely pay the repair cost with no deductible. The repair can be completed quickly at your home or other location. The biggest problem with waiting to have a crack repaired is the fact that the crack will grow since the windshield heats during the day and then cools at night. This action causes the crack to grow from the expansion of the glass.

Waiting to have a crack fixed could cause the windshield to have to be replaced, which will be much more costly. If the crack becomes too large, your car may fail inspection since the crack could impede the driver’s vision. There is also the possibility of the windshield being hit again enlarging the original crack.  If you do have a cracked windshield then it is safer and less expensive to have it fixed immediately. Get a free estimate to have your cracked windshield repaired professionally.

1.) Proper Analysis.  Is the company registered with AGRSS® Safety Standards Council?  Are they backed by PGW’s Prostar Certification? The key to proper analysis is having it done by the right people.  Seeing these logos will let you know that you are in the right place consulting with a qualified auto glass replacement provider.

2.)  Qualified Technician. The simplest way to tell if a technician is properly trained and experienced is to ask if they are NGA certified  or look for the NGA Patch on their uniform.  The National Glass Association hold each technician to high performance and customer service standards.

3.) The Best Auto Glass. Usually the safest and most stable windshield for your automobile is the one installed by the manufacturer, but once there is extensive damage that is no longer true.  In this case the best option is OEM Glass, or glass made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer.   OEM Glass was created with the same type of machines and instruments as the glass that was installed by the car maker, ensuring the best fit and form for each car.

4.)  Top Quality Adhesives.  Since the adhesives are all but invisible to the consumer, this product can seem to pale in comparison to the quality of the glass.  But in the case of a collision, adhesives are what holds the windshield in place to provide a barrier between you and the cold, hard world.   And the moment of impact is a terrible time to find out that you have inferior adhesive on your glass.  You can rest assured that as a general rule – Good, reputable shops use high quality adhesives.

5.) Safe Drive Away Time.  While this may seem like an unnecessary inconvenience, we all know that accidents can happen anytime, anywhere.  That also means it’s not unheard of for a car to be involved in an accident while pulling out of the auto glass shop.  Even the best adhesives wouldn’t hold up to collision safety standards without properly curing. The bottom line is: it’s for your own good.   If a shop is not insisting on allowing time for the windshield to cure, then you know that safety is not their top priority.

Keep these things in mind the next time you need a windshield replacement, to help keep you and your automobile safe from crooked repairmen.

But remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true – a saying that often applies to these situations.  These bold auto glass sales tactics vary from approaching drivers at car washes and gas stations, to aggressive telemarketing to actually damaging windshields, then approaching owners at home or work about replacement.  Their work practices also range from the completely above board to down and dirty – some lie to insurance companies about everything from the quality of glass to the location where the repair was done.  (They have even been known to spam perfectly good auto glass blogs!)

The worst of the worst work in teams: one repairman does the work, then another comes by and approaches the same driver, stating that the work is of inferior quality and needs to be re-replaced.   When these charlatans convince drivers to sign off on this work they are securing one’s complicity in defrauding their own insurance company.  And usually the car owners still find themselves with cheap glass and bad installation – and maybe slightly higher insurance premiums.

So drivers beware!  If you weren’t seeking out a service for you car, don’t trust a stranger who approaches you to tell you what they can do for your automobile.  An auto glass replacement company with a good reputation doesn’t need to be aggressive to make it in this business!

For more recent news about the problem with windshield bullies check out these articles at MSNBC’s Red Tape Chronicles and The Consumerist.

We like to think that the good reputation we have developed is, in part, due to our dedication to top quality products and service.  We want our customers to know, when they choose Deals, that they can be confident they will get the best possible result.   We don’t mean just the top of the line products or the proficient technicians, but the friendly attitude of a team that enjoys working together to serve the community we love.

A service technician that takes a bad disposition on the job can ruin the day of a customer and ruin the reputation of a business.  We understand that a big part of the customer experience is their interaction with the person providing the service.   Customers can trust that Deals technicians will be knowledgeable and courteous, no technician will be sent on any job without six months on the job experience and NGA certification.

This commitment has earned us a 5-star rating from one of the nations top insurance establishments, as well as preferred provider status for most insurance companies.  None of the advancements we have made as a company would be possible without our dedicated staff and loyal customers.  So next time you need a glass repair or replacement remember that Deals Glass Services would be pleased to make sure you have all the answers you need and the best service in town!

Auto Insurance is an extremely competitive market with so many companies marketing their customer’s annual savings over other companies.  But often you have shopped around and annual savings aren’t making a big difference in your monthly payment.  Then how can you tell the difference in what you get from an insurance provider when you really need them?

As an auto glass shop that works with many different insurance providers every day, we have a clear perception of how each company treats it’s customers and the standards they require of the shops that do the repairs.  We are glad to know that Allstate carefully researched how repair shops that provide excellent customer service and superior repair work can save them frustration in the long run.

With this knowledge, recent internal policies have shifted preference to shops providing the highest quality service over the lowest possible price.  Deals and other shops that provide exceptional service and excellent  repair work have to appreciate the changes.  But the insured should also welcome the fact that an insurance company has taken into account their personal satisfaction with the entire claims experience.  Thanks Allstate!