I know this doesn’t answer the op’s question. But, I have been in this business a really long time, and I just don’t understand how you can scratch glass with a razor. Could someone explain this to me please?
My method has always been: Use a nice fresh blade asap. Use nice soapy water so that the razor glides over the glass, never razor a dry window. Never razor a film or tinted window.
I understand that you would like insurance to cover this. I would too. However, this really sounds like a case of user error. This should not have happened in the first place.
If this is going to be a common problem for you, learning to buff out scratches and graffiti and buying the kits to do so would probably be cheaper, and could even be a new service that you could sell.
There are very many posts about this topic, the latest news from everyone invovled in glass industry even the IWCA have all now condoned the use of 4-6" blades on all tempered glass.
Here down under we had experienced poor quality tempered glass for well over 15 years, use a blade on it at all it will scratch, manufactures know it will and so they have care instructions for the cleaning of such glass, these instructions clearly state what aggressive cleaning methods are and if you use them on this glass it will likely occur scratches. Since you have been instructed as such, and like many window cleaners think “HUH, that doesn’t apply to me, I know how to use a blade” that is wrong. You were told not do you did, now its damaged. Your liable.
Not saying this is what happened to the OP, just what is happening to many window cleaners out there who do not keep as up to date with finer points of the industry.
Sorry you’re going thru this man.
How did it happen? Reason for asking is because you may want to ask your guy exactly how it happened cuz if it was an accident (doubt it since it was on 2 windows) like he tripped while scraping? you’d probably be good to go…are you absolutely sure it was him on both windows? Is HE sure he did it?
I stopped using blades a while back now.
I’m sorry for your troubles man-I also see your point about the insurance should cover you for this. I mean, why not. Our auto policies cover us even if we are at fault. The premium will triple but we are still covered.
I think its a load of crap too. I understand the carriers point, but that should be a huge bold lettered disclosure in bold stamped across the side being as that would be a deciding factor in choosing them as a provider.
There’s really a lot that goes completely upside down as soon as you start dealing with commercial insurance (heck, even other services tailored to businesses instead of individuals), as opposed to personal coverage.
Stuff they don’t really like to tell you, like:
CCC exclusions
you can make that small claim, and we won’t increase your premium. But if you have another claim (maybe 2) within x amount of months/years, we’re dropping your butt. Good luck finding another insurer!
we don’t increase/decrease your premium based on your history of claims. We increase it for your whole industry. Oh, and we base it on how much you make, even though that’s kind of a poor indicator of your exposure to risk.
Commercial auto insurance is a hoot, as well:
we don’t cover 1/3 the stuff a personal policy does. Someone who isn’t listed on the policy borrows/drives your vehicle?.. we’re not covering that
need to rent a truck? Yeah… we probably won’t cover that, either.
What really gets me, is when you find out about this stuff after the fact, half the agents will treat you like, “How did you not know this?!? Everyone knows this!”
When I bought this company that was one of the first things the previous owner talked to me about. He said you never messed up the glass. The ladder always did it, maybe the window blew it maybe something else.
. lol
I’ve been told this several times over the years, including by my insurance agent.
And I have replaced glass and window tinting on more than one occasion. Paid out of pocket for a small neon sign, and some home decor too because it was cheaper than the deductible.
We’ve been paying about 10k per year on a total of four policies: workers comp, general, umbrella, and auto for about 15 years. That’s 150k, and not one claim on any of them.
This must be a regional issue, I live in Canada, and I have used a razor (properly) on every type of glass. Aside from tint and films, I have never ever had an issue.
Of course, as I said before, always fresh blade, all ways soapy water never dry.
Maybe we have different glass standards up here???
Don’t assume that your company created the scratches. Anything could have happened to create them, including other tradesmen working on their house, ( cable tv installers, phone/internet companies, painters, power washers, caulkers, carpenters, etc. etc.). The owner himself could have been doing something with a ladder around the windows and scratched it himself and not even know it. Then when you clean the windows, all of a sudden the scratches become visible and they blame you. It would probably be difficult to prove in a court of law that your company actually created the scratches. Don’t admit to it, if you haven’t already !
