THE glazing professionalswindshield repair and replacement has no shortage of ideas to attract customers to their workshops: electric scooter, PlayStation 5 game console, TV, gift vouchers, fuel cards… commercial gestures which are sure to hit the mark as the year-end holidays approach.

But these generous gifts may well disappear in the near future: in fact, a bill was recently introduced regulate this practice. Insurers condemn abuse in this matter, because the repair amounts will be transferred to fund these gifts, which will affect the car insurance premiums.

A bill to regulate the practice

Several deputies from the “Modem” and “Independent” groups filed score aimed at regulating the cost of repairing glass and other windscreens to prevent glazing professionals from offering their customers overly generous gifts.

“Some repairmen offer gifts along with their services. This commercial practice leads to overcharging by insurers and, thus, to an increase in the cost of car insurance for policyholders. […] Therefore, in order to regulate this commercial practice, this bill aims to create a clear structure in this sector. If the insured has the freedom to choose his repairer, he must not, according to Article L. 121-1 of the Insurance Code, benefit from the repair of the claim.can be read in the preamble of this bill.

MEPs want to limit the amount of these gifts a maximum of 5% of the amount repair bill, or about thirty euros for a €600 windshield repair.

In addition, insurers must also comment on the following commercial practices: “A professional repairman must be transparent about the cost and price of the repair services offered. If the price offered by the repairer is clearly disproportionate to the service required by the incident, the insurer has the option to challenge it and use a professional repairer of its choice; Vehicle travel costs, where possible, are borne by the insurer”clarifies the bill.

Dedicated glazing professionals

Glazing specialists, for their part, fear that this new law hinders free competition between different brands and that the consumer ultimately no longer has a choice of service provider imposed by his insurer.

In fact, since 2015 Hamon’s law allows motorists to choose the repairer of their choice in the event of an accident, even if it is not approved by their insurance company.

This bill challenges that principle to some extent. If confirmed, it could be introduced to parliament in early 2024. Be continued…

Read also:
• Wash the car: can it be done in front of the house?
• Speed ​​cameras: types, operation, fines… everything you need to know!
• Phone driving: These unpredictable preconceived notions about it