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Windshield Repair Insurance Pay Rates Over The Past 18 Years

rich.ultrabond.com@gmail.com (Richard Campfield) — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:35:58 GMT

Insurance Rock Chip and Crack Repair Payments Over the Past 18 Years

Rich,

I know you have been the pioneer who has been battling Safelite for many years over windshield cracks. I see you have finally got a court ordered date to deal with them. I have been in business now for 18 years and have seen little movement in revenue for windshield repairs so I did some research of my own from when I started my business in December of 2005. In 2005 almost all insurance companies were quite consistent with a $50/$10/$10 fee. Now the going rate is a flat rate of $65. Obviously, that is not much of an increase over almost 20 years. That $50 bought much more in 2006 than $65 buys today and a 3 chip repair is a $5 reduction over two decades.

Here are the rates and rate changes over the past 18 years for ten of the most popular insurance companies in the country:

1) Progressive In 2005 the rate was $50/$10/$10, in 2008 $55 flat fee, in 2010 - $60, 2019 - $67.50, 2021- $68.85, 2022 - $70.23 & in 2023 - $71.63.

2) Allied/Nationwide In 2005 Allied/Nationwide was $59.95/$10/$10. In 2006 they went to $63.50 flat. In 2008 they made a jump to $75 and have been there for 16 years.

3) American Family In 2005 AmFam paid $55/$15/$15. In 2008 they went to $65 and they have been there ever since.

4) USSA was at $60 in 2005 and has never moved. They are still at $60 today.

5) Geico In 2005 Geico was at $49.95/$10/$10. In 2009 they moved to $60 and that is where they are today.

6) Allstate In 2005 Allstate paid $50/$10/$10. They changed to $54 flat in 2012. 2014 - $59 and in 2018 they moved to their present rate of $65.

7) Farmers In 2005 Farmers was also at $50/$10/$10. In 2008 they changed to $65 flat and in 2018 they moved to $75.

8) Hartford was also at $50/$10/$10. In 2008 they moved to $65 flat and then lowered to $50 flat in 2019.

9) Horace Mann Horace Mann’s 3rd party administrator use to be Harmon Solutions. Horace Mann joined Safelite in 2014 and paid $55 flat. In 2019 they increased to $70 and in 2020 they increased to their present rate of $75.

10) Liberty Mutual In 2005 Liberty Mutual paid $59.95/$10/$10. In 2006 they changed to $65 flat. In 2010 they increased to $70 and then lowered in 2016 to $60 flat.

Safelite was charging a large sum to fix rock chips, so I decided to get a quote from Safelite’s website for my own vehicle. I have attached 3 quotes; one for 1 chip was $169.99 , a second for 2 chips was $199.99, and a third for 3 chips was $219.99. These quotes are for out-of-pocket without using insurance. This obviously would apply for customers who are afraid of their premiums being raised if they turn in a claim or those customers who have liability only on their vehicle. It makes me wonder what the insurance companies are reimbursing Safelite when the customer does use their insurance. Is it much different than what I am reimbursed?

Randy

NOTE from Rich Campfield: Safelite's repairs tested to be only 78% new laminated glass strength by the Standard Test Method for Strength of Glass by Flexure (3-Point Bend). 78% does not restore the structural integrity and does not meet the insurance policy's contractual obligation to the consumer to restore to pre-loss condition, which is 100% restoration

Test Protocol for Windshield Repair Systems

rich.ultrabond.com@gmail.com (Richard Campfield) — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:26:03 GMT

Test Protocol for Windshield Repair Systems

Windshields are covered by insurance. Insurance Companies are bound by their contract with their policyholder to be “Made Whole” by restoring their vehicle to its pre-loss condition.

The purpose of this test protocol is to test a windshield repair system to make a determination of its strength restoration as it compares to new laminated auto glass. This test score would then determine whether it meets the auto insurance industry’s contractual obligation to the consumer for an insurance claim.

Test Method - Windshields (float glass), Annealed Glass (windshields), Laminated glass (windshields), like other materials, undergo testing to evaluate their mechanical properties. The strength tests used by all glass manufacturers for all glass products are the “ Standard Test Method for Strength of Glass by Flexure”, such as ASTM C158 and ASTM D790 , which provides insights into how materials behave under uniaxial bending stress (both tension and compression). These tests provide crucial information for ensuring the safety and reliability of automotive glass . This is the only test that can reveal the restoration strength of a windshield repair system for the determination of meeting pre-loss condition.

Definition of a Repair System

A Repair System consists of 4 parts: (1) tools(s), (2) resins(s), (3) method(s) and (4) curing. The tests involve: (A) laminated glass, (B) a star-break, combination-break or crack in laminated glass, (C) the manufacturer’s custom windshield repair tool(s), (D) method(s) to assist or to completely fill when the tool cannot and (E) recommend cure (method, source, and intensity). Any new parts, updates, or changes with the system such as the tool, resin or curing must be retested.

Note: Other adhesive or resin tests that do not encompass; 2, 3, 4, A, B, C, D and E such as: compressive shear, cleavage or tensile tests etc. are not considered to be valid tests to determine restoration to meet per-loss condition for an insurance claim.

Test Samples

Glass

Laminated AS-1 type, 5-6 mm total thickness.

All test samples must be cut from the same piece/batch of laminated glass. Before starting each sample should be permanently marked to identify the product being tested by using the initials of the manufacturer/system, tool, resin and cure and then 1, 2 and 3.

Preparation of the samples - The company or person preparing the samples for testing must video tape the entire process, so it identifies the tool, resin and curing of each sample preparation.

Optical / Visual Inspection – A photograph of all three repaired pieces against a white background. For chips, take additional photographs against a white background (1) before repair, (2) after repair and (3) after thermal cycling of all samples from 4 inches, zoomed at 4 X for chip repairs. For the crack test the photographs are taken at the profile of the crack (45-degree angle) from 5 inches at 1X.

After repair, all samples must meet sections 9,11 and Annex A of the ROLAGS Standard to go any further in the testing. If the sample repaired does not meet the ROLAGS optical criterion then the system has failed, the test.

After the repair has passed visual inspection, take the 3rd photograph of the repairs after thermal cycling to make a comparison.

Tester and Preparer - can be an independent lab or in-house lab with a certified machine, both accompanied by an affidavit that the preparer did not rig or cheat the testing in any way whatsoever, stating that, “I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information herein is true and complete. I understand this statement may be used as evidence in court and is subject to penalty for perjury.

Repairs

Chips – Star-Break or Combination break

• minimum diameter of 0.6 in (15 mm)

• maximum diameter as allowed in clause 6 of this standard.

• repaired according to the directions of that system.

• located in the geometric center of test glass.

Crack Repairs – Edge to Edge crack across the width and centered on the length.

For Chip Repairs

At least a 6-inch x 12-inch (102 mm x 305 mm) test glass with a repaired star or combination break running across the width and centered on the length.

For Crack Repairs

A 12-inch (305-mm)-long test glass with a width of 6 inches (150 mm). The repair shall be performed edge to edge across that width and centered on the length. Using a glass cutter make a straight one inch cut at one edge and then split by hand to go straight across to the other edge.

Tests

EXPOSURE /WEATHERING

Test 1 - Resistance to Thermal Cycling

Unrepaired Breaks/Chips (Star-Breaks, Combination Breaks etc.) in windshields crack-out from temperature extremes and sudden temperature changes. That is why resistance to thermal cycling is the most realistic form of exposure to test windshield repair systems. Inefficient repairs will break down from thermal stress.

Chip Repair Systems

Use three repaired glass samples of a star or combination break. The legs of the combination breaks shall extend past the bullseye portion of the break.

Take a head-on photograph against a white background of all repaired samples from 4 inches, zoomed at 4 X. Before and after thermal cycling.

Crack Repair Systems

Use three samples of crack repairs, as specified to evaluate crack repair systems. Take a photograph with a white background at the profile of the crack (45% angle) of all three repaired samples from 5 inches at 1 X. Before and after thermal cycling. Place a ruler at or on the crack so the camera can focus on the crack.

Apparatuses

a) Freezer

b) Oven

c) Lazor digital thermometer capable of reading at least -20°F (-18°C) to 300°F (150°C).

Procedure

a). Place the three repaired samples in the freezer set to bring the glass to -10 F for at least 6 hours.

b). Remove the samples from the freezer and immediately place into (not-preheated) oven set for 180 F immediately after setting the samples in the oven for 2 hours.

c). Remove samples from oven and let glass cool until 90-100 degrees F and then place back into the freezer.

4). Repeat for three rounds.

Expected Results

In addition to meeting the criteria of the ROLAGS standard section 9, 11 and Annex A, the repair should remain unchanged. The star portion shall not separate from the glass or the PVB. No refraction or voids shall appear in the bullseye or legs.

Retesting

If one test piece fails to conform another set of three like samples shall be tested. This may be repeated for a maximum of one round. If in each round of tests, a sample fails to meet the success criteria, then the resin system used is considered not to conform to the requirements of Resistance to Thermal Cycling Test as regards to that type of repair.

Recommendation- another Annex (like Annex A) of pass and fail photos.

Standard Test Method for Strength of Glass by Flexure

Test 2 - Mechanical Strength by Three-Point Bend (ASTM D790)

Glass Samples - All Test samples must be cut from the same piece/batch of laminated glass. All repairs and bend tests are done with the glass at the same temperature of 70 degrees F.

Control Number - Test three undamaged samples for the Control Number in Newtons.

New Glass

Test three samples of the new glass for the control number to compare the repaired samples restoration percentage as it compares to new glass in Newtons.

Chip Repair

Use three samples of chip repairs to evaluate a chip repair system.

Crack Repair

Use three samples of crack repairs to evaluate crack repair system.

Method

Test all three repaired samples after Resistance to Thermal Cycling.

Perform Testing for Mechanical Strength by 3-Point Bend ASTM D790 with the repaired side down, as described in the ROLAGS 2020 Annex C section C.4.3.2.2 Test A5.8 from AS/NZS 2366.2:1999, on all samples.

Expected Results

These results apply to samples tested after Resistance to Thermal Cycling.

Chip Repair Systems

At least 100% of the mean force required to produce cracks in new/ undamaged test pieces.

Crack Repair Systems

At least 120% of the mean force required to produce cracks in new/undamaged test pieces.

Exception for two sections of a crack - the Point and the Impact Break.

The impact break and the drilled hole and tapped bullseye at the point of a crack can be repaired with any resin (chip or crack) with a score of at least 100%.

Retesting

If one test piece fails to conform, another set of three like samples shall be tested along with three new glass samples. The score is then the average of the six new glass samples versus the six repaired samples. If the now 6-sample average score fails to meet the success criteria, then the system used is considered not to conform to the requirements of restoring to pre-loss condition for an insurance claim.

Test Score Exceptions – Glass fails but not the repair and the score is lower than the control number but in the range of the three new glass samples.

When both layers of glass break at once or the repair is still intact, or the glass breaks away from the repair and the score for that sample is lower than the control number the score is adjusted for a chip to 100% and 120% for a crack.

Submitted to the Auto Glass Safety Council, ROLAGS 2 Committee by

Richard Campfield, Ultra Bond, Inc.

April 2024

How To Get Paid By Insurance Company For Long Crack Windshield Repair...

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 16:35:27 GMT

Updated- 2025 click here Read how Ultra Bond Users are getting paid over $100 for chips and over $200 for long cracks.

Option # 1. When you have a customer with a long crack that you have quoted $200 and you cannot close them for an appointment, Tell them that they have already paid for it through their insurance policy (do not use the word FREE - because it is not, they paid for the coverage) Ask the customer do you have comprehensive insurance. If they do not know what that is, ask them what year is their car.

All newer cars will have comprehensive coverage and all cars not fully paid for will too. Tell the customer they will only pay about $30-$40. Insurance will pay about $63. If this gets them ready to set an appointment, you tell them to bring in their proof of insurance card they have in their vehicle (the one you give the police when they pull you over) and you will make the call and do the rest.

It is easier if we make the phone call together, If the customer makes it themselves they could be steered and misled into unnecessary replacement by Safelite and you will lose the job. You can tell the consumer Safelite is being sued for deceiving millions of consumers out of billions of dollars for lying about repairable damage so they can sell them a much more expensive replacement. The Standard in the United States for repair is 14-inches.

Inform The Customer About Safelite and Unnecessary Replacement Dangers

Before making the call for the consumer, tell them their insurer has Safelite answering their phone and Safelite has been sued for deceiving consumers into unnecessary replacements by telling them it cannot be repaired if it is longer than a dollar bill or six inches when the standard in the United States is 14 inches called The Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard (ROLAGS) www.rolags.com .

When you call the claim phone number on the insurance card do not let the consumer do this by themself; put the phone on speaker (record it if possible) to prevent Safelite from deceiving the consumer. When Safelite tries to turn it into a replacement, you then step in and tell Safelite this is a repair, not a replacement. Safelite will then ask you to accept a price of a chip for the repair.

YOU say NO, this is a long crack, not a chip and my price is $100. Safelite will then tell the insured that you are charging more than the fair and reasonable rate in your area (which is another lie) and that they will have to pay the difference. After Satellite tells the lie, inform the Safelite CSR, you know that Saflelite is being sued for doing what you just did.

Option # 2. Have the customer take the invoice to their agent with a letter that you give them that says you are using Safelite to administer your claims and they are being sued for deceiving millions of consumers out of billions of dollars by lying about repairable damage so they can sell me an unnecessary replacement. And give them the first page of our Summary Judgment Motion.

My policy says that my insurer will waive the deductible and pay for a windshield repair. Here is the invoice I paid and I expect to be reimbursed the full amount.

I don't approve of you (my insurer) putting me in a position to be deceived into an expense replacement and you know about this lawsuit.

New Windshield Long Crack Edge Crack Repair Resin Injector

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 17:29:48 GMT

Understanding How The Windshield Edge Crack Resin Injector Works

Updated - We now have injector seals for the crack resins bottle tips. We no longer use the syringes.

For the Edge area of a long crack windshield repair our new injector syringe pressure injects the edge area of an edge crack directly from the syringe. The edge area is from the edge of the windshield in 4-5 inches, this is where there is installation stress in the glass and the gap of the crack is the widest. Our two windshield crack repair resins used in the edge area are 1600 and 2400. Theses two long crack resins are now available in their own injector syringe.

If you have one of our windshield crack repair kits with the long crack repair tool this syringe injector can be used to injector slide instead of using our stainless steel injector for the edge area. If you do not have one of our long crack repair kits see the instructions below.

With the see through UV protected syringe you can see exactly how the windshield repair resin is going into the crack. The syringe tip also leaves a perfect bead on top of the crack for tabbing at the same time you are injecting. You will also not have to fill or refill. When the unit is empty you can throw it away. Our 1600 and 2400 edge crack resins will now be available in the new UV protective injector syringe.

How To Use The Edge Crack Resin Injector

How to Use - Remove the cap and place the tip at a 90 degree angle flush on the crack and hold it down firmly against the glass. Push lightly on the plunger and slide down the crack. Tip - use two hands, one to hold it firm against the glass and the other to lightly push the plunger. Starting from the edge of the windshield slide in toward the point until the crack closes up and will no longer easily take edge crack resin. Slide off the crack with the tip still flush against the glass and pull up the plunger slightly so you do not spill or waste any resin. Then immediately place the cap back on the tip. The syringe and tip are UV protected. Get yours for only $27.00 .

Advantages:

Easy to use
Fast
No filling and refilling
View of the resin injection
Pressure injects and leaves a bead of resin on the top of the crack for tabbing
No cleaning

How to repair an edge crack using the Ultra Bond Classic Crackmaster and the new edge crack resin injector.

For those you that do not have our long crack repair kit you can use the Classic Crackmaster Bridge to repair a crack by straddling the crack, use a liberal amount of vaseline on the suction cups as you have more contact with the glass than with our long crack tool.

You will be straddling the point section of the crack with your Classic Crackmaster windshield repair tool, that is our tool that has two suction cups. You will inject the front half of the crack with this tool filled with 400 long crack repair resin. You will use the new injector syringe at the edge area of the crack with the edge crack resin in the syringe.

S tep By Step Instructions, Using Edge Crack Windshield Repair Resin Injector

Drill and tap a bullseye at the point 1/8 in front of the tip so the tip/point of the crack runs into the bullseye.
Mount the Classic with a liberal amount of petroleum jelly/vaseline on the suction cups a few inches down the crack. Slide it back and forth to lubricate the glass with the vaseline where you anticipate you will be sliding to in the middle of the crack.
Use 400 resin in your injector and mount at the drilled hole. Do two cycles of vacuum and pressure and leave the injector on pressure.
Mount one crack opener about one inch from your injector at the point. If you do not have a crack-opener- they only cost $70.00, an investment that you will profit from after only one crack repair.)
If you only have one crack opener, lubricate the crack opener suction cups with petroleum jelly in case you need to slide the crack opener a couple of inches. If you have two crack openers place another next to or near the first one.
Now turn the bolt(s) of the crack opener(s) until you see the 400 start to enter the crack then stop.
Now go to the edge and inject the edge crack resin using the injector syringe into the edge area, which is the first 4 or 5 inches.
Slide off the crack and pull up on the plunger so you do not waste any resin, then wipe off the tip and put the cap back on the injector syringe.
Now go back to the point and start sliding slowly down the crack keeping resin in front of the injector at all times. Slide until you meet the edge crack resin in the middle of the crack.
Place a bead of 2400 resin on the top of the crack where needed and cover with the mylar tab or use whitish scotch tape which is made with mylar - see our training videos.
Remove the crack-opener and cure the injected crack.
Slice off the cured resin and scotch tape from the surface with your razor blade at a 45 degree.
Clean the windshield and you are done.Tip -always wipe off vaseline with a dry towel first before spraying glass cleaner.

Think You Can't Repair a Crack Longer Than 6 Inches? Think Again...

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 16:27:15 GMT

Why Efficiency and Ethics Matter In Making Significant Profits

One major necessity of owning a windshield repair business -- or any long crack resin business, for that matter -- is efficiency and ethics. If your business can't operate with efficiency and ethics, you'll potentially lose out on significant profits.

In the windshield crack repai r and auto glass industry, owners often lose out on opportunities because of a misconception propagated by windshield manufacturers and large auto glass companies such as Safelite: the notion that windshields with cracks longer than six inches cannot be repaired and require a full replacement is not true. In the Ultra Bond v Safelite Lawsuit, Safelite did not produce one word of evidence to show the validity of this six-inch, size of a dollar bill false and misleading advertising. In fact evidence was uncovered that Safelite/Belron testing showed, " up to 24 inches was safe and viable". Evidence was also uncovered that Safelite knew and admitted that it was safer than replacing the windshield.

Even among seasoned auto glass replacement experts, this myth is stubbornly persistent only because of greed? And it's easy to see why: many windshield manufacturers and glass companies have a lot to lose if costly windshield replacements become less common. Of course, their loss is your customers' gain and your gain when you are truthful to your customer.

The reality is, windshield repair technology has come a long way in preventing the need for unnecessary replacements. Here's a quick guide to help you determine whether a vehicle is suitable for a long windshield crack repair .

Consider Two Main Factors...

There are two major considerations to determine whether a windshield needs a full replacement or can be repaired using a long windshield crack repair kit. These two factors in order of dominance are length and dust/dirt in the crack and there is correlation between the length and dust in the crack. Cracks at 14-inches and under will have dust in the crack less than 3% of the time. The ROLAGS recommendation is 14-inches.

When a stone hits a windshield it will make one of two types of damage - an edge crack or a stone-break/chip. There are two types of cracks, an edge crack and a floater crack. Over 90% of cracks will be an edge crack. This is due to manufacturing defects around the entire perimeter edge area which causes this area to fracture easier than the rest of the windshield and cracks immediately to about 8-10 inches. The other crack is a floater crack. This is a stone-break or chip that cracked-out, most often due to severe temperature change. The floater crack is not nearly as common as the edge crack, usually 10% or less. This is because over 90% of stone-breaks or chips will never crack-out in the most populous areas of the United States due to the fact that most people choose not to the live in severe temperature states.

Smaller, shorter cracks 3-6 inches can be repaired by some auto glass repair shops, however many specializing in auto glass replacements such as Safelite say they can but usually bait and switch the customer into a replacement when their technician shows up. If an auto glass repairer can correctly repair a short edge crack then they can repair a long edge crack. It is just a matter of sliding the proper windshield crack repair tool with the proper crack repair resin a few more inches. Repairing a long crack correctly on your windshield requires specific tools and experience with specific long crack resins. Typically, though it is by far much easier than a replacement and it can be easily done on cracks up to 18 inches long with the right tools and resins. The standard in the United States is 14 inches long.

The type of stone-break is also a main factor in determining whether a repair or replacement is necessary. There are five basic types of windshield stone breaks: combination break, half moon, bullseye, radiating crack, and star breaks. Some say that star breaks, bullseyes, half moon, cracks, and other chips and cracks that can be covered with a quarter can be repaired, however the standard in the United States states the specific sizes with each type chip- see the Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard. Keep in mind that multiple cracks or chips off the same impact in a vehicle's windshield may also call for more advanced treatment.

The location of the windshield's damage is also a factor when determining if a repair is possible. If it's in the driver's line of sight, it could cause complications. For safety reasons, auto glass technicians must make a careful judgement as to whether the damage could potentially impede the driver's vision. If the crack or chip could feasibly interfere with the driver's line of sight, then a replacement may be the safer option. See the United States Windshield Repair Guidelines and the Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard for when the damage is in the acute or driver's primary viewing area.

Ultimately, long crack repairs offer huge potential savings for vehicle owners with damaged windshields. While there is a misconception that long cracks require replacements, this is simply not true and a current federal court ruling has recognized it to be false advertising. Understanding when a vehicle's windshield can be repaired or needs a full replacement can help your windshield repair business maximize efficiency and increase profits. For more information about repairing a long crack on your windshield , or to order the original long windshield crack repair kits, contact Ultra Bond.

Here are Federal and ROLAGS Lab Test Reports and Scores on long crack repair.