Interesting addendum to my auto insurance, cars like the S650 Mustang are why...

[COBill]

Whenever you renew your auto insurance, you always get a small flyer noting changes to your policy since the last renewal.

When I read mine there was now specific language in the glass section that indicated they were in no way required to replace windshield glass with replacements containing the same non-functional graphics and designs as the original.

In other words, your replacement glass is not going to have the little Mustangs across the rear window or the running ponies along the front windshield.

Jeep Wranglers are another vehicle where the windshield has an "easter egg" graphic on it that insurance won't pay to replace.

Sponsored

 

[Skye]

I've never used my insurance to pay for a new windshield.

Each time you file a claim, that information goes into your CLUE file, the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange file kept on each of us.

CLUE is akin to the file which tracks your credit history. Both files follow a person from cradle to grave. Make too many claims, you're at risk of your policy being cancelled. [Edit: or paying higher premiums.] For things like windshield, I choose to eat those.

The Mustang is low slung enough I haven't experienced many hits. The truck is like driving a tractor. I treat myself to a new windshield about once every four years.

Times past, when construction was so heavy in the area, people would simple walk out and smash their windshields with a hammer, just to get it over with. It's not so bad now.

If you'd like to review your credit history for free, this site will get you there:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

If you'd like to review your CLUE file, you can request a report here:

https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/request

With all the information being gathered and maintained, errors happen. I review my files once a year.

 

[COBill]

Try living in Colorado; it's standard to need a new windshield here every two to three years, which is why most of us carry $0 deductible glass coverage.

If you want to pay for a $1800+ windshield out of pocket, feel free.

 

[Cipis]

Try living in Colorado; it's standard to need a new windshield here every two to three years, which is why most of us carry $0 deductible glass coverage.

If you want to pay for a $1800+ windshield out of pocket, feel free.

You want to tell me the insurance company pays you for new windshield every two to three years in value of 1800 out of their pocket? I doubt that. How stupid the insurance company must be… by not making any profit…

 

[COBill]

You’re right; in fact, why have any kind of insurance at all - liability, homeowner’s, medical, life - how silly.

 

[smurfslayer]

@Skye is not wrong. Out of high school, when we had the privilege of paying >$2000.00 / year for liability coverage only, I had a buddy who, unable to get his own insurance, got covered by his mom. Over the course of about 18 months he had a series of screw ups - a few tickets, a few collisions and some comp coverage losses - tires of all things being one. This culminated when he rolled a current model year truck. I did not know this at the time, he rolled it off road, managed to right it, took it to a median and had a report issued by state police. I think the report was a deer strike but not really relevant.

I was over at his house giving him a ride -because he rolled his truck and all that, we're putting his stuff in my truck and his mom comes out screaming at the top of her lungs "You lazy *** ****** moocher *** ****** **** <I forget the insurer> cancelled my insurance because of YOU!"
It was a lot more colorful.

Later I got a look at the letter, it listed something like 10 claims paid out, 6 were comp claims.
This was MD, and MD had a pretty robust regulatory agency, so she was able to get the cancellation cancelled by law :-O coverage reinstated, no impact to her, but, to cover her son he had to sign a waiver that would not cover any further comprehensive claims on his vehicles- and collision was severely limited. Saw that one too. Basically if he screwed up again, tough cookies.

I also pay for windshields for similar reasons.

 

[COBill]

I have had to have multiple repairs done to my windshield and have had four replaced on my daily driver over the time I've owned it with zero negative effects to my rates or policy.

Perhaps it's just Colorado, where having to have your windshield replaced is a regular rite of passage, and the windshield on many newer vehicles can be $1800 or more.

 

[BimmerDriver]

First, keep in mind that insurance laws and regulations vary by state. And country.

Second, CLUE keeps only 7 years of history, according to the insurance commissioner. See #1, above. However, your own insurance company probably keeps them much longer.

Three, not everyone reports to CLUE (LexisNexis). Many companies report to ISO (Verisk).

Fourth, not-at-fault claims such as windshield generally should not and do not cause rates to increase. Because, ya know, you weren't at fault and stuff happens.

Many (most?) Insurance companies are mutual companies. That means that they are owned by the insureds, not investors, and don't make a profit per se.

And yes, I used to work in that industry.

 

[Neggytive]

but Ford's "position statement" which is pretty much how they dictate the car must be repaired so all the safety systems work correctly states that due to camera brackets being mounted to the glass, the glass must be OE Supplier to assure the car is restored to pre loss condition

And that is what Insurance companies are required to do, restore the car to pre loss condition.

This BS has been going on for years, back to the 87 Fox Body that had MUSTANG molded into the bumper cover

My position as a shop appraiser and then insurance appraiser has been and is that my license requires me to write appraisals in such a way that the car is restored to pre loss condition and to follow manufacturer's procedures when doing so.

Ask the appraiser or adjuster if they will give you a letter certifying that the part meets OEM specifications and manufacturer guidelines, and that if for some reason the glass is defective WRT clarity, brackets, ability to act as a backer for the airbags if they deploy that the they will personally and the company is being bound to the agreement will cover any losses or damages that may happen due to the use of the part they are mandating, and they will pay any claims made by subsequent owners against you for any damages caused by the use of non OE supplier glass.

Here is Ford's position statement:

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/...stalling-oem-glass-how-does-that-effect-adas/

GM has come out swinging on this recently, when you read the article look for the term ADAS that means the camera mount among other things

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/...rts-and-restraint-system-position-statements/

 

[Neggytive]

also:

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2020/06/09/ford-aftermarket-windshields-side-glass-not-approved/

“Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Lane-Keeping, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Braking, Evasive Steering Assist and Auto High-Beam Headlamps use images from a camera mounted to the windshield,” Ford wrote. “Windshields equipped with cameras have integrated camera brackets that allow for precise attachment and positioning of the camera and are designed to have optical quality that is compatible with the camera. Aftermarket windshields cannot duplicate the precise location of the camera attachment brackets and often contain distortion that adversely affects the cameras operation, which can result in improper ADAS system operation. …

 

[COBill]

And that is what Insurance companies are required to do, restore the car to pre loss condition.

According to the terms and conditions of your policy.

For example, you can claim that the use of third-party body panels is not “restoring your vehicle to pre-loss condition.”

Your policy likely states they can.

It's the same now with third-party window glass not containing the easter eggs.

If you don't like the limitations imposed by your insurer, you can cancel your policy and get one from a different insurer, that's the way it works.

For example, the last time I got a windshield for my other vehicle, I had a choice - it would be free ($0 deductible) if I got a third-party windshield.

If I wanted an OEM windshield, I would have to pay the difference, about $700.

That's how my policy is written.

Now, installing a windshield that breaks safety functionality - that would be a harder sell and I bet insurance regulators would love to jump on that one, as would personal injury lawyers if say you got a windshield that wasn't compatible with your camera system and had an injury accident due to that fact.

Sponsored