How Florida's 'unscrupulous' auto glass shops fuel an insurance crisis

[teach1st]

How Florida’s ‘unscrupulous’ auto glass shops fuel an insurance crisis
A coterie of glass repair shops and lawyers has exploited legal loopholes in Florida to rake in millions of dollars in insurance payouts. Legislators are trying to end it
Washington Post, 11/12/2023

They roam Florida parking lots and car washes in search of cars with damaged windshields, often bearing gifts; gift cards, steak dinners and discounted hot tubs are the common ones.

Insurance companies call them “harvesters,” and their sales pitch to car owners is simple: Auto glass shops can offer free windshield replacements because it’s covered by comprehensive insurance. All they need is a signature.

But after the signature is collected and the repair is made, the glass shops send exorbitant bills to insurers, who often deny or pay out a lesser amount for the claim. Lawyers then sue the insurance company for payment and the cost of legal fees, often settling hundreds of lawsuits at a time for a hefty sum.

It’s all part of a network of out-of-state companies and lawyers that have carved out an entire industry based on these glass replacements — so costly to insurance companies that it has caused rates to skyrocket across the state, consumer advocates say.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/11/12/auto-glass-florida-insurance/

Gifted link, no paywall: https://wapo.st/3su9Kde

[bullimiami]

1. one of the few decent intentions in Florida. Windshields covered under all insurance with no deductible.

you'd very rarely see a car driving with a cracked windshield.
here in NC I see broken windshields all the time.

damn shame that's been corrupted.
insurance companies are mostly crooks which is why they need strict regulation.
so this is crooks stealing from other crooks.

[MichMan]

2. People are still paying for them with higher insurance costs

They aren't "free"