Damaged windscreens account for upto 25% of all motor insurance claims, according to online glass fitter Glasplus.
However, in value terms to insurers, broken and damaged windscreens account for about 3%. The internet-based company said these high volume, low value claims are draining insurers through added administrative time and costs.
To tackle this issue, Glasplus has created a website to allow auto replacement glass fitters, suppliers and insurance companies to validate claims.
The site, www.glasplus.com, offers a database of motor policies drawn from the UK's major insurance companies. By simply entering the registration number of the vehicle, the system will validate the claim. If the vehicle is covered the glass fitter will be provided with details of any excess payable against the claim.
Once validated, the fitter can either bill direct to the insurer or use Glasplus to send an electronic bill on his behalf.
Glasplus managing director Jeff Boekstein said: "The Glasplus system removes unnecessary administration costs for both the insurer and the glass shop, while speeding up the entire claims experience for the policyholder."
