Farmers Insurance Cautions Vehicle Owners on Windshield Replacement Scams

August 10, 2004

Driving with a cracked or broken windshield puts both drivers and their passengers at risk.

In fact, insurance companies in some states are required by law to waive the deductible for damaged or broken windshields in an effort to encourage vehicle owners to make the appropriate repairs.

But according to Doug Ashbridge, director of Special Investigations for
Farmers Insurance Group, some glass companies are using that loophole to convince consumers they can have new windshields for free, since they are fully covered by their insurance company. While the rationale appears logical to the consumer, the practice is illegal.

"Replacing a windshield that is not damaged, and then charging the
insurance company on the grounds that it is damaged, is considered insurance fraud and is a growing problem nationwide," Ashbridge said.

In many cases, glass companies will rent parking lot space from auto
repair facilities, convenience stores, gas stations or car washes, and prey upon those business' customers.

The glass company representatives - also called "glass claims harvesters" - will reportedly approach vehicle owners, inspect their windshields and offer to fix or replace them for free whether or not the glass is damaged.

Once the vehicle owner agrees to the deal, the harvester will subcontract the windshield replacement with another, less expensive glass company and turn a profit from the consumer's insurance claim.

Some of the more aggressive harvesters will even offer vehicle owners
incentives, such as free car washes, free steaks or cash to replace
windshields that are not in need of repair.

Some harvesters, once they obtain the vehicle owner's policy information, will impersonate the insured and submit multiple glass claims. Others will repair windshields and then claim them as replacements, or claim more repairs than were actually done.

Ashbridge pointed out that the "free" windshield could ultimately cost
vehicle owners their preferred status rating with their insurance company, resulting in rate increases, and possibly more severe penalties.

"Vehicle owners who agree to unnecessary windshield repairs or
replacements from these types of glass company representatives could end up facing criminal charges," Ashbridge warned. "Most glass companies are honest, so it's difficult for consumers to know if the offers are dishonest. They should contact their insurance agent before giving glass companies their policy information and letting them submit glass claims."

According to Ashbridge, industry studies have shown that property casualty insurance fraud costs consumers about $20 billion each year. In some states, it adds as much as $240 per year to every auto policy.

"Glass fraud, similar to other forms of insurance fraud, is probably
present in as many as 10 percent of claims filed," Ashbridge said. "Farmers Special Investigations unit works with agents, claims representatives and our glass vendors to recognize, report and take appropriate action against all forms of insurance fraud."