AGRR Industry Reacts to NBC Connecticut’s Investigative Report on Anti-Steering Law

An investigative report aired late last night that covers the state’s new anti-steering law for automotive glass claims on NBC Connecticut. The report centered on a Connecticut resident who alleges he was steered to Safelite AutoGlass by Safelite Solutions (a third-party automotive glass claims administrator) and AGRR company owners in the state allege this situation is not new.

NBC Connecticut reporter George Colli created the report in response to a recent law being passed to prevent automotive glass steering in the state—Public Act 13-67 (an Act Concerning Automotive Glass Work)—which went into effect January 1.

“We are aware of the complaint from [Steven] Petrauskas and are investigating what took place,” according to a Safelite statement issued to the station. “While Safelite Solutions dedicates significant resources in training its customer service representatives, sometimes human error may occur and that is what we believed happened here.”

“’Human error’ or not, the NBC 30 report is very concerning because the auto glass people of Connecticut worked very hard to pass a law that makes what happened illegal,” alleges John Wisniewski, president of Payless Auto Glass. “Public Act 13-67 (an Act Concerning Automotive Glass Work) ensures that third-party administrators operating within Connecticut notify our consumers of their right to choose and that their choice is being respected.

“If the law is not being followed we owe it to ourselves to make sure the Insurance Department knows this is happening. I will also request that the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Auto and Flat Glass Glaziers board be copied on any complaints that may arise,” he says.

Wisniewski is vice president of the Connecticut Automotive Glass Dealers Association and a Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Automotive and Flat Glass Glaziers board member.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Russell Vanasse, vice president of The Window Shop Inc. in Plainville, Conn., says the reporter “did a great job explaining in laymen terms the issue we all face as independent auto glass repair shops.”

For full story, visit http://www.glassbytes.com/2014/07/agrr-industry-reacts-to-nbc-connecticuts-investigative-report-on-anti-steering-law/.

No responses in 4 days sounds like a real winner for a story.

BJ * the bear?