USAA Worldwide Insurance recently released a letter to glass shops indicating that starting Friday, October 7, 2005, they are instituting a flat fee of $60 for all windshield repairs. The letter, which was sent via fax to some glass shops, has caused a stir on the AGRR message board (to view or participate in the discussion, click here) by industry members who feel that a flat fee on repair is unfair.

The text of the letter is as follows:

USAA
Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Dear Shop Owner/Manager,

We appreciate the glass service you are providing to USAA members/claimants. To facilitate timely payment of invoices and avoid misunderstandings, we are informing you of USAA's updated pricing standard. This supersedes all previous letters on this subject relating to windshield repairs. This price is not the lowest available to us; however, this is the amount necessary to repair the damaged windshield.

Effective for windshield repair services performed on or after October 7, 2005, the pricing is as follows:

Windshield Repairs: $60.00 Per Windshield (Flat)

Further, a faxed referral will be sent to your shop when the claim is reported reconfirming the above pricing.

Invoices that are accurate and do not exceed this pricing structure will be paid promptly as submitted. All future invoices will be honored in accordance with these established rates.

Nothing contained in any oral or written notice received by us or our agent from you purporting to reject such pricing for services you may render for any of our members/claimants will be binding on us or otherwise require us to pay you additional sums for services rendered.

If you desire to bill for more than the amount set forth above, the amount necessary to repair the damaged windshield, you must advise our members/claimants prior to initiating glass repair/replacement so that they can determine whether they are willing to pay the additional costs for your services.

Send invoices to:
USAA
P.O. Box 182190
Columbus, OH 43218-2190

If you send your invoice via EDI, please use mailbox SAFL107, and program ID 09005.

We look forward to working with you in providing glass service to our members/claimants. Should you have any questions, please contact Safelite Solutions at ShopCare@safelite.com or by faxing 614/210-9504.

Sincerely,
USAA