Consumer Alert: GEICO Warns Consumers About Fraudulent Glass Repair Companies

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 4, 2004 -- If your car windshield has any small glass chips or cracks, be careful about where you take it to be fixed.

GEICO's Assistant Vice President Martha Furnas at the Tucson service center is alerting policyholders and consumers in Arizona about fraudulent glass repair shops -- frequently set up in malls, county fairs, local car wash operations -- that are taking advantage of people.

Fraudulent glass companies often operate by doing improper repairs, causing cracks or chips to ultimately spread. This may necessitate the replacement of entire windshields and windows if repairs aren't done correctly.

GEICO considers these practices a form of fraud as policyholders turn in claims for inflated glass repairs by companies who knowingly make improper glass repairs. GEICO works with local police units to identify fraudulent glass repairers.

"We're particularly concerned about the potential safety hazard for our policyholders and for consumers," said Steve Rutzebeck, GEICO's director of claims security, Special Investigative Unit.

"We know that many of these fraudulent companies do not take the time to install the replacement glass properly. That's why we take fraudulent auto glass repair seriously and why we vigorously investigate questionable glass claims."

GEICO's policy is to repair small glass chips and cracks at no cost to policyholders with comprehensive coverage. In most cases GEICO will provide a free, safe, quality repair at the policyholder's home or workplace.

"We need to make sure that our customers are well educated on the practices of these shops," said Suzanne Worthen, GEICO's general manager for centralized services. "They should always contact their insurance company first before letting anyone repair their vehicle."

Policyholders should call GEICO at 1-800-510-2291 at the first sign of a chip or crack. GEICO will recommend a shop that does quality repairs. GEICO believes that a quality glass repair saves policyholders money and helps keep their cars safe to drive.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fifth largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 5.6 million policyholders and insures more than 9.5 million vehicles. GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number and to visit its http://www.geico.com/ Web site, and keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com/.