For drivers in Florida, a windshield chip or crack is a minor inconvenience. After all, Florida statutes allow an automobile owner to get a windshield replaced through their comprehensive insurance coverage at no cost.
Windshield replacement is not even subject to the policy’s deductible. All an owner needs to do is call an auto windshield repair shop that often comes out and does the repair onsite at their home or workplace.
While this may be easy for the car owner, the process can be an entirely different scenario for the repair shop. Repairing a customer’s windshield after an auto accident is not the hard part. Getting paid by their insurance company often is.
If you are a windshield repair business owner in Florida who has found yourself on the losing end of this windshield replacement scenario, we could help. At GED Lawyers, our Florida Auto Accident Lawyers help businesses like yours get paid fairly by the large insurance companies.
Testimonials From Businesses We Have Helped With Reimbursements
We understand how frustrating it can be to try to get your fair reimbursement from the insurance company. You do not want to throw good money after bad by hiring an attorney to go after the money you already should have gotten from the insurer. You cannot afford to lose more money, so you need to know that the law firm you use will get the job done.
Here are some of the many positive reviews our delighted clients have posted about our services:
- “Couldn’t ask for a better law firm to help my small business. Renata visits us regularly and is as professional and kind as anyone could ever be. She so quiet I don’t know she’s here sometimes. She finds things in our billing that brings us extra money of which we never would have received. I get checks in the mail and it’s like Christmas multiple times a year! Thank you GED law firm!” Dan H.
- “I have been working with Ged Lawyers for 10 years and they have never disappointed me. They are professional, organized, friendly and appreciative of my business. I highly recommend their services. You will be glad that you did.” Bruce H.
- “GED is a hard working, knowledgeable group of individuals. They have accommodated me in several areas of my practice and have worked for me to recover several thousands of dollars in reimbursements that were legally mine. I recommend them to any doctor that has files sitting that could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars each 💰💰.” Laura V.
- “I have personally worked with them for over 6 years. And Rich McGuire and Michael Prince have always offered me expert advice and prompt responses. They are extremely thorough and offer Financial results for my business. They are not only great professionally but I have formed a personal relationship with both of them and value them to the utmost. You cannot go wrong employing them to handle your legal matters. Including, but not limited to PIP Suits. They are a true asset to my organization and I highly recommend them. It is a true pleasure to work with them.” Alexis L.
If you are tired of losing money because the insurance companies unfairly refuse to pay the reimbursements you deserve, contact us today.
Are Windshield Replacements Free in Florida?
Thanks Florida Windshield Replacement Law (Florida Statute 627.7288) Windshield Replacements are free in Florida. Statute 627.7288 was enacted to protect drivers and ensure safety on the roads. This law mandates that all drivers with comprehensive insurance coverage can get their windshields repaired or replaced at no charge. It’s a significant benefit designed to keep you safe without incurring extra costs. You can read the full statute here.
However, while the law is clear, the process isn’t always as smooth as it should be. Some drivers still face challenges when trying to get their windshield replacement for free, even with comprehensive coverage. This is where our team steps in. If you’re encountering difficulties, a Windshield Replacement Litigation Lawyer can help.
How Windshield Replacement Claims Work
The Florida Statutes § 627.7288 was enacted to keep people safe and not driving with cracked windshields. This law allows automobile owners to get windshield replacements for free and prohibits insurance providers from applying the usual deductible. This works well for car owners. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work so well for windshield repair shops.
In compliance with the state law, Florida insurance companies have set up working relationships with some large windshield glass replacement companies to streamline this process. Through this process, these “approved” windshield replacement companies agree to significantly discount their repair rates, ensuring substantial business volume and saving the insurance companies money.
How This Windshield Replacement Law Affects Small, Independent Repair Shops
Windshield replacement and auto glass shops that don’t work as part of the insurance industry’s approved network very often get shortchanged when they go to get reimbursed by the driver’s insurance company in a claim.
Unfortunately, Florida law provides few requirements for windshield repair claims. Consequently, to get paid under the insured party’s policy, many repair shops find themselves fighting the big insurance companies to get paid fairly for their work.
How Insurance Companies Get Out of Paying Windshield Repair Claims in Florida
Insurance companies use limiting language in policies, such as only agreeing to pay the “prevailing competitive price” for windshield repairs. National Auto Glass Specifications publish industry-standard pricing and information that auto glass professionals use throughout the country.
But under the above scenario, big insurance companies control what local “competitive price” they will pay by contracting for significant discounts to those commonly charged in the marketplace.
For many small and independent glass shops, insurance companies or their third-party administrators hold sway over how much they can get paid, often leaving them to make no profit on the repair or even take a loss.
In other cases, the insurance company can make it extremely difficult to collect on a claim at all, hoping a small business will give up. As a windshield repair business owner, you have the right to be paid fairly for your services.
Three Mistakes You Want To Avoid When You Have a Windshield Repair Claim
After placing multiple phone calls to the insurer and still not getting paid, many business owners get frustrated. You do not have time to waste chasing after your money. If you are not out there doing your actual work of replacing windshields, you lose even more money. Here are three mistakes people can make in this situation:
- Give up: Many people do not have the time to fight a billion-dollar insurance company, so they shrug their shoulders and accept the loss.
- Accept pennies on the dollar: The insurer can afford to make it difficult for you to battle them for your fair reimbursement. They might offer a lowball settlement instead of paying the correct reimbursement to you. Accepting a lowball settlement could mean that you do not even cover your overhead.
- Use a collection agency: These agencies only pay you a tiny percentage of the money they recover, and frequently they do not collect any money on insurance reimbursement claims.
We understand how upsetting this situation can be and want to help.
Getting Legal Assistance for Your Windshield Replacement Claim
While the Florida windshield replacement law works well for the consumer, it hurts independent business owners trying to make a fair living. Being held to artificial price controls and limiting policy language is simply unacceptable.
If you feel you are fighting a losing battle with a big insurance company, you are not alone. At GED Lawyers we can help. We have spent our careers fighting big insurance companies and holding them accountable in disputes arising from their unfair practices. We have helped many other small businesses get the money they deserve. Find out how we can help you.
If you are a glass company having difficulty getting paid from an insurance claim, let our Florida windshield replacement litigation lawyers help. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.
