Up to 70% of Windshields Installed are Deathtraps.
"Your honesty and integrity in your business dealings are remarkable, especially in this day and age. You stand behind the work you do and cheerfully keep your word. Thank you! You cause trust to be re-established in the business world. May your business continue to grow and prosper!" Sincerely, - Taschia Dunlap -
Just because consumers get a "really good price" for a windshield install does not mean they are safe or that the integrity of their vehicle has not been compromised. Many economic factors are making many companies take shortcuts to make a profit. These shortcuts could cause serious injury or death. This is not a joke, scare tactic, or trick. It is a consumer alert. Below are some pictures of what we see every week. Be sure this never happens to you. Choose a shop that offers and provides, In shop service, two technicians installs, follows the Federal guidelines in the ANSI standards and is AGRSS Certified. We do.
The above pictures show a windshield that has been properly installed. Note the deployed airbags as well. The broken portion on the passengers side was caused by the airbag. An improperly installed windshield could have been blown out and away from the car. The windshield did it's job in protecting the occupants.
Your windshield is part of your safety restraint and crash protection system. It is engineered to absorb up to 60% of an initial collision and impact. It redirects crash energy around the occupants and helps keep the engine from driving into your legs as well as keeping the roof from crushing down in a roll over accident. It is also the designed foundation and supporting structure for your airbag deployment and protection.
You may only get one chance to find out if your windshield is installed correctly. Are you willing to put a low price in front of your safety?
The first two pictures are windshields being pushed out of the cars by hand. These are supposed to stay in and hold up to an airbag deploying at over 200 MPH. The surprise of an accident is bad enough. Do not add the surprise of a windshield that flies out of your vehicle.
These three windshields were installed and not treated for scratches that were made during a past install. Notice, the corrosion has gone under the urethane bond. This windshield would have popped out of the vehicle in an accident offering no crash support. The middle photo is of a vehicle with corrosion as well. The black substance being stretched out by the technician is butyl. Butyl is illegal to use for windshield installs. Improper materials were used to save money. A shortcut. The last picture also has corrosion. Notice that the glass is separating from the urethane that hold it into the vehicle. The last installer did not use proper primers and activators. This windshield may have come out in a head on collision as well and offers no crash or airbag support.
Many consumers put themselves at risk when they call in to the "1-800" insurance claim line and obtain a "trusted insurance referral" for a glass company on the "approved" list of service providers. Anyone can be on that list. All the listed shops are required to do is promise to meet pricing criteria. That is it. Nothing more. They are not screened. The glass shops motivation to be on these "networks" is to obtain more job referrals for increased business.
Consumers are not aware that many of the larger chains and franchises have special pricing arrangements that place them first in line to be a "referred and preferred" location. It is up to the consumer to do the research to decide who they are going to use. Some of these larger glass companies are on the networks as "preferred provider" shops only because they also own the glass network that is referring them. A fox directing the chickens to the coup.
Remember just because your insurance company's claims service appears to "recommend" or "approve" of certain shops, does not mean that those shops have your best interest at heart. Also remember that as a consumer the suggested choices do not have to be accepted by you.
In Washington State the consumer has the right to choose the shop where they want to have the services done at. Regardless of the sometimes forceful suggestions of an insurance company or it's claims service provider. Any attempts from an agent, insurance company official, adjuster or network claims line, to dissuade, discredit cause doubt, or try to change a consumers choice of shops for any reason is called steering and is illegal and punishable by law. Protect yourself by asking us to assist you during the claims process.
Consumers can check the following website for the shops they would like to use. www.safewindshields.com
The shops on this list have committed themselves to safety first, and a job well done.
70% of windshields are installed improperly.
Why take a chance?
Use Ding Doctor Glass Services. Call today. 360-385-5262