Cracked Windshield Reimbursement

Wanted to reach out to the community to see if anyone had any experience in this department.

Merging onto the highway this morning, I ended up behind a dump truck from a local contractor. While waiting for the opportunity to pass, gravel was flinging out everywhere and a large chink ricocheted off my windshield resulting in a decent chip. I got the plate number, vehicle ID from the contractor’s fleet and a few pics showing I was in fact behind the truck at said time.

My questions is, has anyone perused a contractor with claims of a chipped or cracked windshield? Any luck with those who have tried? I’m guessing they will tell me to pound sand and there is no way to prove that the dirt came out of the truck…

 

I think a lot of insurance companies will send someone to fix minor glass damage for free if it's a small crack (under quarter sized).

 

Did the dump truck have one of those "Stay Back 100 feet" stickers on it? If so, then you may be out of luck... As the other poster said, windshields are usually replaced for free.

 

Comprehensive on your insurance will cover it. No deductible either

 

Decent, I'll get on the horn with the insurance company and see what they have to say. The chip is about the dia of a pencil eraser with no crack, yet, but I would like to get it fixed before the dreaded spiderweb lines start in...

No warning sign on the back of the truck. It actually looked pretty clean and new as far as dump trucks go. Not like some of the relics you usually see trucking along...

 

They are at fault, but It will depend on the company as to how they handle it.
Most will try and make it so difficult that the person just drops the case. By the way. Someone said something about a 100 foot sign on the back of the truck making them not responsible. That means nothing. You cannot warn away your accountability. They are responsible to keep their load in the truck regardless. As long as they cannot show that you were tailgating under state law you are not culpable and they are totally responsible.

Now all that being said if you do not have insurance to cover this and you want to pursue it just contact them in person with your claim and evidence and document EVERYTHING. If they do not settle quickly or refuse to settle or give you the run around, your best option is to sue in small claims court where you will almost always win with the evidence you have. By the way if the windshield is not cracked beyond repair they may not have to replace it, only pay to fix it. That will depend on the state you are in.

 

contractors will take care of damage they cause, it happens all the time. just be nice to them they will be nice back. if they give you crap show the evidence and if still giving crap.... go right to small claims court if your insurance won't do it for free

FYI signs or stickers that say Keep 100 feet back do not mean a damn thing they are just a sticker. there are not laws written around that sticker.

The laws do say all loads must be secure and covered...and this includes rocks and dirt on a vehicle and stuck in the tire treads. If a construction vehicle sends crud off and it causes damage it was the failure of the contractor to properly secure the load and clean the vehicle to make it ready for public road use, therefore 100% responsible for any and all damage. construction trucks must be secured and cleaned before road use, but as you know, it doesn't always happen. however most insurance companies just replace your glass for no fee as it costs more to chase down a non-payer than it does to just fix it. ymmv

 

A picture of you behind the contractor's truck proves nothing.

 

^ no but it usually proves to the construction company yep you were there and they will just go fix your vehicle. they write this stuff off and charge the project anyway it is no biggie for large companies. a fly by night roofing company on the other hand.....

 

This has happened many times with me. Trunking companies will do everything to get out of it. I'm sure for as many times as it really happens there are many times that they get frauded from someone wanting a new windshield. I only recall once that a got a company to pay and about 3 times I had to do it myself.

I also try to keep factory glass as long as possible. The replaced ones are very wavy. Move your head side to side in a replaced windshield and see how it looks like they made the glass out of 20 pieces of 4" panels.

 

The only chance you might have a claim against the trucking company, is if the load was not tarped.

 

These situations suck because its always a he said/she said type thing. You may be telling the truth. But if someone just wanted a new windshield, and got behind that dump truck and took pics and said it was this truck. Then you can see how a company wouldn't want to pay in that situation. Only way I would think a company would pay for this is maybe if you had video, or other witnesses to back you up. Pics can't really prove anything. I can take pics of any truck and say they did it.

I'd say best bet is through your insurance company. Like others have said, some will cover it for free. Even if, having a chip repaired is not expensive.

 

Carefull if you file this through your insurance. I did this two or three times with no cost out of pocket. But then when I went to shop around for better rates(my girlfriend sells insurance, you should all shop your rates occasionally) she found me a carrier that could beat my current carrier with bundling some policies, but when they pulled my claims history which is clean other than these two or three claims, it jacked the numbers up. Moral of the story is, if you need to change insurance carriers these "non claims" will end up costing you money. If you plan to stay with your current carrier then it won't cost you as they aren't going to pull your record unless you give them another reason to.

 

I don't understand why that would make your rates go up. 3 fixes doesn't cost them much at all.

 

Finally, something I know about lol

I'm the Risk Manager for a local government; when debris falls, is knocked off by or comes off of a piece of our equipment while in routes when I am contacted, I simply go out and get the fact and make a determination.

As mentioned above by someone if your approachable when I get to meet with you 9 times out of 10 if I find any possibility i will take care of the damage:}

However; if you come at me with the U owe me attitude, well that makes things complicated lol

Also if debris comes from the tires, or tires of equipment possibly being transported I do not make good on those claims

In essence if U B "cool, calm, and collected" it's alot better and dat's no Secret lol

Good luck

 

my glass coverage has a $100 deductible. I've found places that will come to me and fix it, but if I take it to them they will eat part of the deductible. They bill as if they had come to me to make up the cost (I think)

 

The contractor's company/insurance should cover it. I had a former car windshield cracked by a dump truck. Called and gave the person the truck license plate, truck number, date & time and they had Safelite out to replace it.

 

Some states have immunity laws for contractors that protects them from liability for rocks coming from the beds of trucks. Check your state's laws. I'm from Ohio, and yes we have such a law, so if a rock chips your windshield here, your screwed!...

 

This. But, burden of proof is on YOU. Can you PROVE the stone came from the bed of the truck or the road? Can you PROVE the stone did not come from another vehicle in front of or beside the truck you were behind?

A sign does not release them from their negligence. In fact it may improve your case. Much like putting a "Warning! Dog may bite." sign on your fence shows you had prior knowledge that your dog 'may' bite, the sign shows that they expect their trucks to kick up debris and/or lose debris from the load and needed to post a warning for other drivers to stay back.

 

If you go to "creditkarma.com" you not only will get your Transunion credit score, but you can find out your insurance claims score for your auto insurance and homeowners insurance. It is free and you don't need a credit card number. It's the only site that is actually free.