Queen Creek, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/18/2012 -- “There’s no excuse for filing an insurance claim on windshields that are not damaged.”

National Glass Association Auto Glass Division vice president, Leo Cyr, states that there is just not an excuse for anyone filing an insurance claim on undamaged windshields. That being said, insurance companies do recognize that a damaged windshield is a genuine hazard and can pose a threat to occupants of a vehicle.

merely said, as with any auto glass repair, there are appropriate times and inappropriate times to replace a part. In either event, Mr. Cyr Says that only NGA-certified operatives using top quality parts and materials should install a new windshield. Because of the large number of fraud scams aimed at needlessly filing claims for windshield replacements, customers need to be aware of when a windshield can be honestly replaced. Consumers also need to be able to ask the right questions and protect their own information.

Law enforcement across the nation agrees with Mr. Cyr and is cracking down on broken windshield replacement schemes in Gilbert and surrounding Higley and Queen Creek. The good news is that unscrupulous thieves and repair shops owners are being prosecuted, fined, and sent to prison. The bad news for drivers who become victims is that they, too, can be prosecuted, fined, and sent to prison for their participation in stealing from insurance companies and their policyholders.

Those Who Rent Cars are Not Safe from Windshield Replacement Scams Either

Not driving your own vehicle does not necessarily make you impervious to being approached. A slightly various scam on the replacement scam involves rental autos being returned. A renter returns his automobile only to be told that a scratch, crack or rock chip found on the windshield is going to involve a windshield replacement paid for by the insurance purchased in the rental agreement or the driver’s personal insurance. Either way, insurance account numbers are exchanged and the policyholder and company are charged hundreds for a new windshield.

One latest, well-recognized case in Billings, Montana concerned an owner of a nationally recognized car rental franchise just last year. Evidence shows that most of the cars involved showed no indicators of windshield replacement but a few confirmed chip repairs totaling about $25.00. One vehicle was involved in 3 windshield replacement claims and the windshield was reported to have shown no signs of any repair or replacement. Following the Broadly-publicized trial, the prosecuting assistant U.S. Attorney said, in his sentencing memorandum, that the case included 250 victims, the theft of $436,692 and deserves severe punishment. The owner/manager was found only because he boasted to good friends he had found a way to commit a perfect, repeating crime. Be mindful when you get your windshield replacement in Gilbert because the same thing could happen here.

Not Just an Insurance Problem, a Lot of Your hard earned money Will End Up in a Con artist's Pocket

A Spokane, Washington company, owned by a married couple was convicted of hosting more than 1,200 fraudulent claims costing insurance holders over $695,000. Another in Los Angeles holds the record at over $14 million in fraudulently received payments after which the company filed bankruptcy. Although in both cases the court ordered restitution to be paid (from the bankrupted companies) guess who really gets left holding that bag on the loss?

How serious is the issue and does it really affect consumers directly?

The trouble is huge. The amount of cash taken out of the public’s collective pockets is staggering. According to an auto glass industry estimate the expense of illegal windshield insurance claims costs consumers more than $425 per year on the annual premium for every vehicle in America, each year, for the life of the car! The amount of extra money paid on each insurance premium is almost enough to replace every windshield in America, every year, twice! That money comes right out of everyone’s wallets.

What can a person do to protect himself or herself?

How can a consumer know how to tell the difference in legal and illegal services and make sure that the windshield replacement is both suitable and properly done? pretty simple. For your good luck, here are seven basic rules, or questions:

Rule #1 Think
- What are you being asked to do and by whom?

Rule #2 Be reasonable
- Is the integrity of the glass compromised?
- Is the damage in the driver’s line of sight?
- Is the damage cosmetic or functional?
- If it is not worth $250 to $300 dollars to you, it probably won’t be to your insurance company either.
- Would you claim repairs for a similar paint chip or door ding?

Rule #3 Take charge of the situation
- Did someone approach you, or did you approach the glass repair company in accord with your insurance agent?

Rule #4 Guard your money and your accounts
- Would you give a stranger contacting you access to your bank, cash, or credit accounts by providing them with the number(s)?
- Why would you give them access to the cash behind your insurance policy number? Don’t do it!

Rule #5 Is the person doing the work, at a legitimate place of business, skilled and NGA-certified to do such repairs?

Rule #6 Were you offered an incentive?
An incentive is, by no means, an indication of fraudulent activity. Most every business offers items on sale, coupons, discounts or other incentives to attract your business. The question is, is the value of the incentive unreasonable? Is the total value more than what your deductible would be? Is it more than what the windshield would be? (See Rule #1 and Rule #2)

Rule #7 Are you paying a reasonable price for actual services rendered at a known location?
Beware of invoices carrying an address other than where the repairs are made, especially rural addresses. Rural companies are allowed to charge insurance companies more for parts and labor than companies located in densely populated and competitive areas.

So, what’s wrong with it?

False windshield replacement claims is a form of insurance fraud. Insurance fraud is just another form of fraud. Fraud is a felony crime. All parties involved can be charged, tried, and convicted. Be informed and alert. Ignorance of the facts is not an excuse to assist in costing all of us millions of dollars every year.

(http://www.suntecautoglass.com/)SunTec Auto Glass is a family-owned company located in Arizona, serving Maricopa and Pinal Counties. We are windshield replacement professionals and specialize in (http://www.suntecautoglass.com/windshield-replacement/)windshield replacement, (http://www.suntecautoglass.com/auto-glass-repair/)auto glass repair, window tinting, and glass etching. We replace vehicle glass for cars, trucks, vans, and even RV's and specialty vehicles.