Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will my rates go up?
A. Most insurance companies will not raise your rates for a comprehensive claim (such as window damage).
Q. I have a crack or a ding in my windshield - is it really important that I fix it right away?
A. Yes, it is important!
If the ding is small, it may be repairable. That means Gentry Glass can seal the break without replacing your entire windshield. Repairing your windshield typically takes less than 30 minutes. Best of all, in most cases, your insurance company will waive the deductible on repair service, so it's free to you! But, the longer you let the damage remain without having it fixed, the more dirt and debris will collect in the break - and the more the break will spread. If it gets too big, it's very likely that a replacement will be necessary.
Q. Does my windshield really protect me?
A. Yes. Your windshield plays an integral part in roof crush protection in a roll-over accident. It also provides the brace for your passenger-side airbag. If your windshield loses adhesion on a collision or rollover, your safety is in jeopardy. This is why it is important that your auto glass work be done by trained professionals at Gentry Glass.
Q. What is OEM glass?
A. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacture. This means that the glass meets the original specifications for safety and quality as the glass that came in your vehicle from the factory.
Windshields may look simple, but they are actually made from two pieces of glass that are bent in a very precise way. If a windshield does not meet the exact specifications of the manufacturer, it will not fit precisely in your vehicle. The best way to assure exact fit is to use a windshield produced from a fixture engineered to manufacturers specifications.
Q. What's the difference between my windshield and the other glass in my car? Isn't glass just glass?
A. No, there's a very important difference between your windshield and the rest of the glass in your car. Your windshield is made of LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS. What makes it unique is its special construction, designed to offer optimum safety in the event of a crash. LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS is made up of two pieces of glass, with a thin layer of vinyl sandwiched between them. The three pieces are laminated together by applying heat and pressure in a special oven called an autoclave.
When a small object strikes a piece of safety glass, often only the outer layer struck breaks. This is what makes windshield rock chip repair possible.
In a more severe impact, the glass "shatters" but usually does not fly apart - the broken pieces of glass generally adhere to the vinyl inner lining. LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS also acts as a barrier to objects moving inside the vehicle.
The side and rear windows are made of TEMPERED GLASS. As the name implies, the glass has been "tempered", i.e., put through a special process where it is heated, then rapidly cooled. This "tempering" process makes the glass many times stronger than un-tempered glass of the same thickness.
Upon impact, TEMPERED GLASS is designed to disintegrate into small pieces of glass about the size of rock salt. There should be no large, jagged pieces of glass to injure the driver or passengers. However, the force necessary to break a piece of tempered glass is considerably more than an un-tempered piece.
Q. What Kind of Insurance Do you Accept?
A. All Insurance! Gentry Glass will deal directly with your insurance company to settle your claim in a timely matter with no burden to you. Gentry Glass is an insurance approved vendor and works with all insurance companies. This means that we have met the requirements set forth by insurance companies and have pre-arranged pricing agreements with them. In addition, Gentry Glass is a preferred provider of auto glass services for Erie Insurance and State Farm.