1. Use only local Florida companies
There is nothing better than to find a local business with a solid reputation to perform your windshield replacement for you.
Beware of out-of-town based companies who have a local phone number and no real employees in the area. Ask them where they are based.
Here’s why:
Companies based in Arizona frequently run ads in our area to take advantage of Florida’s large Auto Glass industry. When you call them, you are almost always speaking with a call center. Out of state companies use local sub-contractors to service your vehicle and rarely have offices in our area. It simply makes better sense to find someone who is established locally and has a vested interest in our communities and state.
2. Use established companies
Established shops should be in business for at least a year or longer and should be fully licensed.
Proper licensing must include a Florida Motor Vehicle Repair License, also known as an “MVR”. Their paperwork and advertisements should display this number. If a shop completes work on your vehicle and does not have an MVR, they are in violation of state law and should be reported. If this number isn’t displayed somewhere, ask for it to insure that they are licensed!!
MVR-1A Motor Vehicle Repair registration or MVR is is required in Florida for all automotive glass work.
3. Use fully insured companies
They should also be fully insured. Established shops generally carry at least 1 million dollars in liability coverage.
If the shop that you are considering isn’t insured you should make a different selection.
4. Use companies with strong business presence
The better shops will generally be Accredited by the Better Business Bureau®.
Educate yourself on the difference between a business that is accredited with the BBB® and one that is simply “listed”.
Most good and serious companies will have memberships in national automotive glass industry groups and/or small such as
National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA)
Independent Glass Association (IGA)
National Federation of Independent Businesses
Chamber of Commerce
5. Use companies with great reputation
Companies that are good at what they do and are easy to work with always have a great deal of online reviews. You will see that those reviews have been coming consistently over months and years and not just by a sudden burst months ago.
Having a few negative reviews is ok, it simply adds to the credibility of those reviews and testimonials.
For example, a company with 200 reviews and rating 4.8 is more credible than a company with 10 5-star reviews. Use common sense.
6. Call the shop you have chosen and let them assist you with filing your glass claim.
Established shops will have a standard routine for handling insurance claims and generally make it exceptionally easy to do so. They can give you first-hand information about how to file a glass claim and what you will need to provide your insurance company. Call your shop of choice and put the process in motion.
Getting a windshield replacement is very simple as long as you have taken the time to do a little research. With a simple phone call to the right shop, you can have a new windshield on your vehicle tomorrow.
The author, Michael Franklin is Managing Partner of AmeriPro Auto Glass. AmeriPro Auto Glass is a North Florida based full service automotive glass shop.