First Response Glass

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. Will my insurance cover the cost of windshield replacement?

A. Yes, if you have comprehensive insurance coverage you will likely be covered. Comprehensive Insurance covers damaged glass caused by: Flying rocks or road debris striking and breaking your vehicle’s glass; Break-ins; Vandalism and other accidental breakages. Your comprehensive deductible is the only out of pocket expense you will incur.

Q. Who will handle billing my insurance company?

A. As an authorized service provider for all insurance companies, we will handle all of your paperwork. We will bill your insurance company directly, making the process hassle free for you!

Q. Will an auto glass claim on my insurance affect my insurance rates?

A. No. This is because glass replacement in most cases falls under your comprehensive insurance and not your collision insurance. You would have to have many comprehensive claims in a year in order for the insurance company to review your premium.

Q. Will my insurance company require me to obtain more than one estimate for the job?

A. No. The reason for this is that pricing for all insurance companies is based on NAGS (National Auto Glass Specifications) pricing.

Q. Will my insurance company pay for my stone chip repair?

A. ICBC no longer covers stone chip repairs. However, if you have comprehensive coverage through a private insurer, you are most likely covered for the repair.

Q. Will you wave my insurance deductible?

A. No. In BC it is illegal to wave insurance deductibles; it is considered fraud. Any glass shop who is caught waving deductibles not only risks the loss of their ICBC vendor license and their status as an authorized service provider for the private insurance companies; but they could also face legal charges.

Q. I don’t have comprehensive insurance. How much will it cost to replace my windshield or other auto glass part?

A. We would be happy to provide you with a quotation. Click here to request a quote or give us a call us at 250-383-9300.

Q. Should I have my rock chip repaired?

A. In almost all cases you should have it repaired unless:

a) The rock chip is directly in the driver’s line of vision.

b) The rock chip is more than a few months old.

After rock chips appear, do not put anything on the windshield except water or window cleaner. You may be tempted to apply cleansers, rain repellents, soap, baby oil, foreign chemicals, glue, vinegar, finger nail polish, or other “home remedies”, but these products will only make it more difficult to repair.

Q. If I have a stone chip in my windshield should I tend to its repair right away or is it okay to wait?

A. The sooner you have it repaired the better. If the ding is small, we can most likely repair it. That means our certified technicians can “mend” the break without replacing your entire windshield. The longer you wait to repair it, the more chance the chip will spread; especially in cold weather, and if the chip gets too big, it may become irreparable. Also, if dirt and debris built up inside the chip a repair will be less effective. So call us today!

Q. What kind of damage can be repaired?

A. Stone damage or stone “chips” up to the size of a loonie can be repaired. Best results are obtained if the repair is done before the damaged area is contaminated from washing or inclement weather. A rock chip is usually round or star shaped and may have lines radiating from the center. It has a black or silver color to it.

If your rock chip looks like a white speck in the glass and has no dark areas, then this should not be repaired. It is only a nick.

Q. How is a damaged windshield repaired?

A. Basically, the process consists of injecting  a specially formulated resin into the damaged area. When the damaged area has been completely filled, it is exposed to an ultraviolet light which cures the resin. This restores 100% of the structural integrity and in most cases, a good deal of the clarity on the damaged area.

Q. How long does a stone chip repair take?

A. Typically, a repair takes about half an hour, start to finish. For more than one chip add about fifteen minutes each.

Q. How will the windshield look after repair?

A. When looking through the glass, vision should not be impaired. If vision is impaired, the windshield should be replaced. Your rock chip should become noticeably clearer when repaired. However, clarity is dependent upon the size, age, amount of glass missing from the center and the quantity of fragmented glass within the break.

Note: chemicals applied to the rock chip may prevent the windshield repair resin from adhering to the glass. Optical clarity varies from 90 to 100%

 

Q. What is Glass Laminate?

A. Laminated glass is manufactured by baking together 2 or more lites of glass, with a vinyl interlayer in between, at extremely high temperatures. There are many benefits of using laminated glass. First and foremost is safety. Laminated glass is the preferred glass in all overhead glazing applications because when broken, the glass will stay in place adhering to the vinyl interlayer, unlike tempered glass which shatters, causing a large amount of glass pieces to fall below. Laminated glass can also contribute to the security of your premises. It is an excellent product for security applications because the vinyl interlayer prevents immediate entry after the glass is broken. Laminated glass is superior to films applied to glass because the vinyl is located between the glass layers providing better clarity and improved durability. Traditionally glass has been a poor sound insulator, but not anymore. The vinyl interlayer in laminated glass acts as an excellent sound dampener for many applications. The number of layers can be altered depending on the sound dampening required for each specific area. The noise from traffic, public transportation, or just “neighborhood” noises can now be minimized or eliminated by using laminated glass. Laminated glass also works well for solar control and ultraviolet protection. The vinyl used in laminated glass eliminates approximately 99% of UV rays that can damage interior furnishings including carpets, hardwood flooring, artwork and furniture. The vinyl interlayers also provide a number of solar control properties depending of the type of vinyl requested. Laminated glass is dramatically increasing in popularity. It is a product that offers not just one, but many benefits to the user. So call us today for your free estimate!