PLANNING FOR AUTO GLASS REPLACEMENT

You should always consider doing a repair first rather than a replacement if you can because it is a cheaper option and allows you to maintain the factory seal on your windshield. It can be helpful to keep a few things in mind if you do have to have a complete replacement done. Choosing a stone chip repair company to do the job right can take a bit of effort, but you will be more pleased if you take the time to ensure the job is done by professionals.

Check with your Insurance

When you first discover that you might be in need of a windshield replacement it is best to contact your insurance company to see if the expense can be covered. Depending upon your insurance coverage the whole amount or partial amount of the replacement will be covered. You will want to see if you will need to pay a deductible or if that could be waived. You can also talk to your insurance about reputable auto glass dealers that they could recommend.

Check with your Auto Club

If you are a member of an auto club or service organization such as CAA or other roadside assistance company you should check to see if you are eligible for any discounts on auto glass replacement. They might have arrangements with various auto glass companies to provide a significant discount to you. It is worth investigating in case you can save yourself some money.

Get Quotes

You can get quotes from multiple auto glass companies to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. You can compare prices and choose which price seems most fair. You can also assess the quality of different auto glass companies by how well they interact with you when you are asking for a quote.

Quality Matters

The quality of the auto glass you choose matters. It is important to ensure you are getting glass that is of high quality. There are many makers of auto glass on the market and not all are created equally. You should strive to replace your auto glass with something that is of the same quality as what you had. Whenever possible you should look for OEM products. These products can be more expensive so if you can’t afford to purchase OEM products try to go with something that is similar in quality.

Do your Research

It is important to do your research before choosing an auto glass company to deal with. You will want to check for recommendations. You could read online reviews, ask family or friends, or approach companies directly and ask for references. Many professional Scarborough Auto Glass companies will be happy to provide references from past clients. You will want to ensure you are only dealing with professional and experienced shops. You may want to enquire about the employee qualifications at the shop you are thinking of using. You might also want to make sure they are using top of the line equipment to do their replacement jobs.

Get a Warranty

You should look into getting a warranty for any work completed. Most reputable shops will provide you with a basic warranty. You should review the terms of the warranty carefully to ensure it suits your needs. For example, if you travel widely you should make sure your warranty provides countrywide coverage. You will want to have the warranty in writing so that you can refer to it if needed.

Act Quickly

Your windshield is very important for preventing injuries when you are driving. It helps to protect you from debris. It also is crucial to how your air bags perform. So in the event that you windshield needs to be repaired or replaced you should act quickly. You should take it into a shop as soon as you can to have the damage assessed and then you can decide on the proper course of action to take.

Skilled Technicians

You should ensure that whoever is doing the work on your windshield is fully licensed and trained. Check with various shops about what training their employees have had to determine the quality of service you will receive. Professional auto glass shops will have no problem sharing with you about how their employees are trained. You want to get service that you can depend on.

Convenience

You might be concerned about being without a car while you windshield is being replaced. You could check to see if the company will offer a courtesy car that you can use while the work is being done on your vehicle. You might also have difficulty taking your car to a shop to have it repaired. In some cases auto glass companies will offer mobile services where they come to you. If this is something that interests you then you should look into it before choosing which auto glass company you will deal with.

Communication

You will want to choose a company that is excellent at communication. Do they answer all of your questions? Are they quick to respond to your inquiries? Are they eager to assist you when you walk into their shop? These are all important things to consider when choosing an auto glass company. You will want a company that can clearly communicate with you to ensure there are no misunderstandings. You also want a company that provides excellent customer service so that you feel comfortable returning in case there are any problems.

Progressive Technologies

Some auto glass companies will use more advanced technology to do their work. This could be a benefit to you because it could reduce repair time, and even save you from having to return to have additional work done. You can ask about the types of equipment used to do repairs or replacements and why they have chosen that particular type of equipment. If you do your research ahead of time then you may have an idea of what glass replacement techniques you like best. You can then ask various shops if that is a method that they provide. Most North York Auto Glass companies will be willing to share with you about what tools and methods they use to do the job.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions when it comes to auto glass replacement. Your safety is the most important thing and you will want to ensure the job is done properly. You can write down a list of all of your questions and ask them to prospective auto glass companies. The answers you receive will tell you a lot about the company and how they deal with their clients. Most professional and reputable companies will be very happy to answer any questions you may have. They won’t see questions as insulting but rather feel that you are taking a proactive approach in choosing the best company to suit your needs. Getting the answers to any questions you have will make you feel more comfortable with the whole process of windshield replacement. You could also ask questions of family members or friends that have had windshield replacements done to figure out what they found helpful during the process. They may know of things that you hadn’t even considered.