A DRIVER has revealed how to dodge $600 windshield repairs, even if signs on the road say the damage was your fault.
TikToker Seth Godwin gave money-saving tips to drivers whose windows were smashed by debris flying at their cars.
TikToker Seth Godwin said drivers can get $600 windshield replacements paid for under the right circumstancesTikTok/seth.godwin
GettyIf debris flies from a dump truck and smashes your windshield, the company should pay for the repair[/caption]
If the rubble came from a dump truck, then drivers could get a brand new free windshield, Godwin (@seth.godwin) revealed in a video.
That’s because signs warning drivers to stay hundreds of feet back do not protect dump trucks from liability.
“The sign is there to deter people from even trying to get them to take responsibility for it, but in reality, the sign does nothing to protect them as all,” Godwin said.
Any unlucky driver whose windshield is smashed by a dump truck should do their best to get the vehicle’s information.
This includes the license plate number, the Department of Transportation operating number, and the company’s name.
Then, it’s advised to call the company and try to handle the issue as tactfully as possible by respectfully requesting repairs.
If a company pushes back, you can simply remind them that the sign on the car isn’t legally binding and that debris falling out counts as neglect.
This is when the dump truck’s information comes in handy, as you can report the driver to the highway patrol.
“I’m sure their tune will change real quick,” Godwin said.
Drivers who have to get a sudden windshield replacement should be extra careful about what brand they choose.
In January, a man was left furious after he ended up sinking $6,000 into a replacement.
Marvin Shebroe said a repair company scammed him by installing a recalled windshield, so he filed a claim with his insurance for reimbursement.
However, he got a shock when the insurance bill was a massive $6,108.
The drama didn’t stop there, as he realized someone had forged his initials on an authorization form and permitted the outrageous charge.
“Well, I was angry because that means I endorsed it,” he told NBC affiliate WFLA.
“Someone is representing myself as a fraud and I know auto glass doesn’t cost $6,000 to replace.
“$400 to $600 is the customary amount. Not $6,000.”
How to save money at the mechanic
THERE are several services offered by mechanics that drivers should never pay for, according to a car expert.
Ron Krauch, an automotive writer, warned drivers not to trust everything they hear in the shop in an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun.
He said it’s important for vehicle owners to recognize the difference between their car’s manufacturer’s service schedule and what mechanics are trying to sell.
Any work referred to as a “dealer recommended service” is often an attempt at upselling, Krauch warned.
One of these useless upsells is fuel injecting clearing, which removes built-up dirt and debris from a vehicle’s fuel system to improve performance.
“Modern vehicles typically have fuel systems that are designed to stay clean, especially with the use of high-quality gasoline that contains detergents to keep injectors free of deposits,” he said.
Drivers should also always say no to engine flushes, as modern vehicles don’t need any help cleaning out “sludge or deposits.”
“Most modern engines and oils are formulated to stay clean, and if you regularly change your oil on schedule, you shouldn’t need this service,” he said.
And finally, no one should spend extra getting a premium oil change.
“Shops often upsell customers to synthetic or high-performance oils – even if the vehicle’s manufacturer doesn’t require them,” Krauch said.
Shebroe had to report the issue to the local sheriff’s department so they could try and track down the scammer.
A car expert who exclusively spoke to The U.S. Sun revealed how to stop frost from forming on your windshield this winter.
Plus, the New York Police Department started using a windshield weapon that left some drivers unhappy.
https://www.the-sun.com/motors/12941945/dump-truck-busted-windshield-repair-free-car/