Automotive Glass Replacement: 5 Questions Insurance Agents Ask
Automotive Glass Replacement: 5 Questions Insurance Agents Ask
Caliber answers the top five questions auto insurance agents ask regarding windshield replacement and other automotive glass repair
Why can’t all windshield glass replacements be performed on-location at my policyholder’s home or office?
Your policyholder likely has a vehicle equipped with ADAS safety technology that requires a static calibration after a windshield replacement.
Many OEM requirements specify static ADAS calibrations be performed in an environment that meets certain specifications. Bringing the vehicle to a center ensures a regulated environment that controls factors such as lighting, floor surface, background clutter, ensuring proper performance of sensitive systems. Failure to perform static calibrations in a proper environment may generate false calibration completions.
What is ADAS and why does it matter in automotive glass and windshield replacement?
Newer vehicle makes and models are generally equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which include key safety technologies.
When a windshield is replaced, cameras and sensors are transferred from the old windshield to the new one. ADAS safety features will need to be re-calibrated to ensure they continue to operate the way the vehicle manufacturer intended. Proper calibration is critical to driver safety. Failure to correctly calibrate contributes to future ADAS malfunction and may prevent safety systems from engaging.
Why do vehicles need to be prepped for accurate calibration?
Modern sensors are incredibly precise. Manufacturers specify tight parameters for calibration of these advanced systems.
If the vehicle weight falls outside of specifications—either too heavy or too light—the sensor may be slightly too high or too low to properly calibrate. These variances can be too small for a human eye to detect. Not prepping the vehicle may result in a false calibration completion that compromises vehicle safety.
How should I ask my policyholder to prepare their vehicle for ADAS calibration?
1. During scheduling, notify your glass repairer if the vehicle’s suspension ride height and/or factory wheels/tires have been modified in any way.
2. Ensure tire air pressure is correct, adjusting if necessary.
3. Check fluid levels (such as gas and oil), and filling if needed.
4. Remove excess cargo from the vehicle, even from the trunk.
5. Confirm that the vehicle has a spare tire, and that that tire is installed in the correct position.
Will a technician need to drive the vehicle after auto glass replacement and if so, why?
Depending on vehicle make, model and year, OEMs may require a dynamic calibration to ensure proper functioning of ADAS technology.
This process involves driving at highway speeds on a clearly marked road with signage that cameras can focus on. The distance and duration of the drive will vary depending on both the vehicle and the road conditions.
Please note that weather conditions can impact this process. If it is raining, or if the roadways are covered in snow, dynamic calibration may not be possible. To ensure correct calibration, the repairer may reschedule for a time when dynamic calibration can be completed successfully.