Know Your Rights When It Comes To Windshield Replacement

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1 -- If your vehicle's windshield needs to be replaced and you don't contact your insurance agent for a service referral, you will need to know your rights when you call the claims center 800 number provided by your insurance carrier. Making a wrong decision could compromise your vehicle's appearance, as well as your safety

As an insurance policyholder, you always have the right to have the work done by the auto glass service center that you prefer. You have the right to demand top-quality service and products.

Paul Rice, director of PPG PROSTARS, a nationwide alliance of certified auto glass technicians, tells car owners, "Windshield replacement is a multi- step process and each step of the process must be done properly or it could affect the fit and functionality of the windshield." He adds, "Your vehicle's continued safety performance depends on the proper installation of the replacement windshield. An improperly installed windshield can contribute to passenger-side airbag failure and possible roof collapse if an accident should occur."

Rice offers four important tips to remember when making decisions about replacing your windshield:

       1.  You can choose the auto glass shop.  If you know a reputable shop
           in your area, specify your choice when calling to report windshield
           damage.  The choice is completely up to you.

       2.  You can demand quality work.  Ask if the specific technician who
           your shop assigns to your vehicle has the training, industry
           certifications and experience to ensure a quality job.  And ask if
           they have worked on your model vehicle before.

       3.  You can demand quality glass and adhesives.  To get the most secure
           windshield fit, ask for replacement glass made by an Original
           Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, like PPG, because PPG replacement
           glass has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.  And make sure the
           technician uses the proper urethane adhesive based on weather
           conditions.  You should know in advance the safe drive-away time
           specified by the adhesive manufacturer.

       4.  You can insist on a written, nationwide warranty.  A reputable
           glass shop will stand behind their work.  Securing a nationwide
           warranty will assure you of service - no matter where your travels
           may take you.

Rice says the more informed car owners are, the better. And, he recommends that car owners keep a copy of the attached windshield replacement checklist in their glove compartment. This handy guide will help you make sure quality work is performed on your vehicle. So ask that it be completed by the technician who fixes your windshield.

For more information on auto glass or to obtain additional copies of the windshield replacement checklist, visit www.ppgprostars.com. Or call 1-866-2THEPROS to locate a quality auto glass shop near you.

PPG PROSTARS Windshield Replacement Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure that quality work is performed on your vehicle. Clip it out and keep it in your glove compartment. If you ever need a windshield replacement, ask the technician who does the work to complete this form.

      Windshield Replacement Checklist

      Pre-work
      Inspection completed                       Yes    No*
      Seat covers used                           Yes    No*
      Floor mats used                            Yes    No*
      Car body protected                         Yes    No*

      Parts and glass removal
      Cowl removed                               Yes    No*
      Wiper, trim removed                        Yes    No*
      Proper glass removal                       Yes    No*

      Pinchweld and glass preparations
      Full-cut technique used (trim to 1/16")    Yes    No*
      Defrost ducts cleared                      Yes    No*
      Vehicle body pinchweld prepped             Yes    No*
      New glass prepped                          Yes    No*

      Adhesive system
      Urethane used                              Yes    No*
      Adhesive brand  ______________________
      Expiration date ______________________
      Primerless system used                     Yes
            If no:
            Metal primer brand _________________
            Expiration date ____________________
            Glass primer brand _________________
            Expiration date ____________________

Note: Adhesive systems should not be mixed (i.e., primer for one urethane used with another.)

      Timing/curing conditions
      Humidity _________%      Temperature __________
      Installation completed at ___________________A.M./P.M.
      Recommended drive-away time _________________A.M./P.M.
      Date: ______________

      Glass replacement
      Glass from OEM (original equipment
       manufacturer) supplier used               Yes    No*
      Brand of glass used ___________________________

      Post-work inspection
      Windshield tested for leaks                Yes    No*
      Interior vacuumed                          Yes    No*
      Seats checked                              Yes    No*
      Dash checked                               Yes    No*
      Vehicle exterior checked                   Yes    No*
      Glass cleaned                              Yes    No*
      Glass shop _______________________________
      Technician signature _____________________

      *No requires an explanation