Be prepared to walk...
 

I keep my property and casualty (home owner and auto) insurance with the same company. That way not only do I get a small multi-policy discount but if I have a problem I can call the agency that gets paid to sell the policies and tell them of my cancellation plans for all the policies should they disappointment me with their service.

Might be worth a call to yours and let them know of your agent and let them know of your concerns.

J. Boggs

EZRIDER - Just 3 weeks ago I got a rock in the windshield of my 97 E320. State Farm gave me the option of non-MB replacement and no deductible OR $100 deductible (what my insurance contract requires) and a MB windshield. I took the latter. It was installed by the glass shop that does all the MB work in the area for the dealership.

Isn't another option is to pay the diff of what the insurance company is willing to offer for a windshield replacement if you want the more expensive one?

There is a trend with insurance, that if not regulated, will turn the whole thing into one big rip off.

Please read this article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2576-2003Mar9.html

It's pretty sad that if you even call up to INQUIRE about making a claim, the insurance company might drop your coverage.

From what I gather, insurance companies invest your premiums in the stock market. Now that the market has tanked, they don't have the money to pay out premiums - so they use every possible trick to avoid doing so.

The insurance companies gambled with your premium money, and the only loser is going to be you.

:)

Ken300D

Ken, I'm sure you understand that your premiums aren't put into a seperate account just for your claims. Under state regulations, casualty insurance companies must keep their claims "reserves" in liquid accounts which don't generate much income and the remainder is invested for higher return. If the company can't financially cover potential claims, then they either have to cut costs and/or raise rates.
Unfortunately, due to the economic condition of the country, carriers have had to do both. Insurers are pulling out of various states or not writing any new policies by just keeping existing insureds. They're also going to try to cut repair costs by using the "like/kind" provisions of the policies.
There are good non-OEM parts and there are bad ones too, but you have to be an informed consumer to know what you're getting. If consumers are going to push for OEM replacements 100% of the time, they better be prepared to pay the premium.