The Crossroads

The "Exchange" in National Glass Exchange is the transfer of information, the intersection of customer and supplier, the virtual space in which services and payments are traded. NGE is the 21st century crossroads of doing business in the automotive glass replacement and repair industry (AGRR).

NGE presents an evolution in the way the industry conducts its' business. Our affiliates enjoy the benefits of a cost effective system that efficiently brings together the customer, the suppliers, and the claims payment components of the industry. You can read more about how NGE Programs work with each sector at our Industry Programs page

How it Works

NGE facilitates the convergence of the heretofore separate and disparate segments of the industry:

Road Guardian windshield road hazard coverage service contract

Insurance companies looking to reduce overhead and claims payments for windshield losses

Suppliers and Distributors looking for greater market share

Customers looking for safety, convenience and value

Independent Auto Glass Shops

The Strategic Partners That make it All Work

Road Guardian

NGE’s first strategic alliance was with Road Guardian, a windshield road hazard service contract company that pays a fair price for claims, and pays quickly. Road Guardian is a one year, renewable, road hazard plan that can be sold by insurance companies as part of their comprehensive coverage, by agents as an additional coverage, or by glass shops. The service plan covers the replacement of any windshield damaged due to a road hazard; brick, rocks, etc. There is ZERO deductible on claims, and customers can have their windshield replaced at any NGE affiliated shop.

When sold by an insurance company, the cost of the plan can be included in the price for comprehensive coverage. This results in no payments made by the Insurance company for a windshield replacement and no administrative overhead. NGE is negotiating with several national insurance companies to offer Road Guardian as part of their auto policy packages.

Road Guardian can also be sold directly by Glass Shops to their cash customers, thus building customer loyalty, service and satisfaction.

eDirectGlass

In order to become an NGE Affiliated shop, the shop must use a computer based system. The NGE has looked at and tested the majority of the software packages available to the AGR shops and have selected and recommend eDirectGlass as being an ideal entry level system. It is the least expensive package to install and provides all the needs to run an AGR shop.

To streamline the process, an Internet based Point of Sale (POS) system is utilized by the glass shop to verify the customer’s eligibility, obtain a price that will be paid for the work, and once work is completed, will handle the funds transfer from the warranty company to the shop. eDirectGlass was chosen as the electronic information hub of the program because it has all the features that the NGE requires with minimal dollar investment from the shops. eDirectGlass is a leader in developing applications and solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.

learn more

Using eDirectGlass POS interface, the customer benefits from the immediate approval and scheduling of the work. Minimal time is spent by the customer for approval because the customer is taking the work to the shop of their choice and the work can be scheduled immediately. The glass shop benefits from the POS system by verifying the coverage, getting an immediate price for the work to be performed and receiving payment within 5 business days.

Insurance Companies

Facing mounting overhead for claims processing, insurance companies realize tremendous cost savings by "outsourcing" the windshield portion of their comprehensive vehicle coverage. Their clients are better serviced by the efficient process of the NGE system, and quality work performed by NGE network of shops.

Insurance company benefits:
    No deductible for customer
    No Windshield Insurance payments made by Insurance company
    Cost saving on infrastructure
    Perceived benefit to the customer
    Major marketing implications to improve market share
    NO ADDITIONAL COSTS to the Insurance company

Insurance Agents

Agents benefit from the convenience of no hassle claims, while at the same time have confidence that their clients will be getting a quality windshield replacement job done by a local professional. The NGE network of shops must adhere to strict safety certifications, and, as locally owned and managed shops, they are committed to customer satisfaction.

satisfied glass customers = satisfied insurance cutomers

Suppliers and Distributors

From windshields to sealant, an important component to the NGE network is supplies.Through the NGE, dstributors have access to larger markets with affiliated shops.

Consumers

The customer has been a big looser in the current structure of TPA driven business. Denied the ability to chose, and unaware of the safety impact of a poor quality "discount" windshield replacement, the customer goes where they are sent. NGE empowers the customer by allowing them to chose their repair facility. NGE will also be working hard to raise awareness of safety and quality issues on a national level. NGE believes an informed customer will be a loyal customer.

Customers also face the hidden danger of a windshield claim raising the cost of their premiums. "In some instances, the decision to file a claim could put your name into a database that makes it difficult to get or maintain coverage in the future," writes Mark Terry in his recent article, "Claims That Boost Your Insurance Rates". (read article here)