Automobile Full Glass Coverage and Right To Choose

INSURANCE CARRIERS IN CONNECTICUT MUST OFFER FULL GLASS COVERAGE 

​

In Connecticut, automobile insurance companies are required by state law (Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-339) to offer optional full glass coverage that eliminates your deductible for safety glass repair or replacement in exchange for a small additional premium.  Some independent agencies, writing business for major carriers, may not offer this coverage to keep the cost down and write the policy, without the customer every knowing. The full glass coverage is offered under what is called "comprehensive" coverage or "other than collision coverage".   When choosing full glass coverage, any time you have an auto glass claim, the deductible does not apply and you would receive full claim payment without the insurance carrier, via it's third party claims administrator and billing company Safelight Solutions, applying the deductible, which on average ranges from $500-1,000, which could be higher than the glass claim intself. 

 

FULL GLASS COVERAGE IS NOT AUTOMATIC

​

When purchasing your automobile insurance, it's important to note that this coverage (comprehsive/other-than-collision) is not automatically provided in the auto policy. If the agent or producer, who is writing the coverage on behalf of the insurance carrier does not offer it to you, you must ask them to add it or provide the cost to add Full Glass Coverage, which is an endorsement added to the policy.  You can then decide if you would like to add it as it is NOT automatically added to your auto insurance policy. The only legal requirement for insurance coverage in the State of CT is liability coverage. However, based on the year, make, and model of your vehicle and ownership status (financed or leased), there are certain coverage requirements the financial institutes may demand for auto coverage.

​

ASK YOUR AGENT OR INSURANCE CARRIER FOR FULL GLASS COVERAGE

​

It is important to note that on older vehicles, you have the option to remove your collision and comprehensive coverage and under this scenario, it means you only have liability insurance, which is required in the State of Connecticut.  You can purchase comprehensive only with full glass coverage without collision coverage.  Often times as your car gets older, it may not be worth paying for collision coverage (damage to your auto), but many consumers will keep the comprehensive coverage with full glass to avoid paying a deductible if there is a loss to the auto glass.  Based on the cost given to you by the agent or insurance carrier, you have the choice to decide if you want to add Full Glass (FG) coverage to your auto policy. Generally, it is not expensive to add full glass coverage to your policy. ​

​

​

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE YOUR AUTO GLASS COMPANY

​

Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-354 protects vehicle owners by prohibiting insurance companies and auto appraisers from forcing or steering drivers to use specific repair shops. By law, as the customer, consumer, and insurance policyholder, you have the right to choose the Auto Glass Repair/Replacement shop, even if they are not on the "preferred or program provider" list.  Many small owned glass shops prefer to remain independent from the program provider list due to the reduced costs and discounts by larger insurance carriers placed upon them in running their business. You have the legal right to choose!  ECAG is a preferred program shop.

​

FILING A GLASS CLAIM WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

 

You must file the claim with your insurance company upon discovering damage to your auto glass.  The glass that is covered under your policy is the Windshield, Door Glass, Back Door Glass, Quarter Glass, Rear Glass, Sunroof  Glass,  Once you file and report the claim with your insurance carrier, the chosen glass shop will get a referral from Safelite Solutions, who is the claims administrator for approximately 90% of all insurance companies in CT. Once the shop gets the referral, the shop can then schedule an appointment with you to get the work done.

​

Most of Connecticut insurance carriers use Safelite Solutions for their claims administrator AND their billing provider.  Safelite Solutions recommends a pricing structure for the cost of glass repair or replacement directly to the insurance carriers. The insurance carriers then place a set-rate on what they will pay for the glass based on those recommendations.  The rates include parts for OEM (Original equipment manufacturer), to after-market parts, re-calibrations on the sensors in the windshield, and the labor rate to name a few.

​

It's important to note that most insurance carriers to do not typically allow for OEM parts 1) On vehicles one year or older, and 2) Without prior approval from the claims administrator.  Many times, this approval process can cause delays to the customer getting the work done. ​ECAG is here to help with an questions or concerns, give us a call 860-342-3729.​​​​

​