Independent Glass Association (IGA) Announces the Development

The Independent Glass Association (IGA), a trade organization representing the business interests of independently owned auto glass repair and replacement shops across North America, enthusiastically embraces the concept of introducing state-of-the-art technology and industry standards in its effort to level the playing field, as introduced by eDirectGlass in their January 7 press release. IGA Board President Alan Epley asserts that the need for technical standards in dealing with the aggressive behavior of some insurers and their surrogates is long overdue. “The opportunity to partner with eDirectGlass and other point of sale providers in this effort is both welcome and refreshing.”

Epley continued by saying “the ongoing interference in our members’ ability to operate their businesses and the loss of business as a result, must stop.” The IGA believes the development of technical standards will put independently owned glass shops in a position to go on the offensive in neutralizing the control that certain insurers and their third party administrator partners exert over the insurance claims process. The association believes that standards will be an important tool in the effort to bring balance back to the industry.

Rick Rosar, IGA board member and owner of Rapid Glass, Minneapolis, MN, points out that glass shops should not have to find creative ways to earn and retain business, business that is rightfully theirs, from the overly aggressive tactics of some third party administrators. “This has gone on far too long and we believe that the adoption of technical standards for auto glass repair claims will finally be the catalyst to offset those anti-competitive tactics.”

The IGA contends that the recent decision by at least two insurers to use technicians from Safelite Auto Glass to perform “inspections” prior to authorizing repair or replacement work to be performed was the last straw. For those insurance companies that continue to breach the right of glass shops to conduct commerce in the United States coupled with the more aggressive tactic of having our competitior performing “inspections” along with the McCarthyism like rhetoric regarding windshield bullies (aka Auto Glass blacklist), the IGA asserts that the line has been crossed. Epley concludes: “Our association will look to develop any tool and take any step to aid our members, our industry and the consumers whose rights are being trampled by those who do everything possible to remove consumer choice.”