Slightly tricky question to ask here, because of the house rules on naming companies negatively, but let's see how it goes.
100 yards from work this morning and a six inch crack appeared in the windscreen in front of me. My insurance will do the usual "get it repaired and you just pay the excess".
Do I go with one of the large companies that advertise on tv or through my dealer, do we think? And if as I suspect the answer is the former then I'm reading horror stories about one of the most obvious ones, but don't know whether to take such internet white noise seriously or just ring up and hope it will all be ok.
So, without knocking anybody, are there any recommendations?
|
>>My insurance will do the usual "get it repaired and you just pay the excess".
>>
>>Do I go with one of the large companies that advertise on tv or through my dealer?
>>
Check your policy first. In the conversation with the insurance company they may have omitted "Repaired by the agreed company as per terms and conditions"
>>
IMO most dealers will farm out windscreen fitting.
It has certain advantages in the fitters coming to you.
|
Mobile fitters "that come to you" could struggle fitting glass when the temp is freezing - maybe better you go to them and have it fitted under a roof in the workshop.
Usually the Ins Co specifies the repairer - you cannot usually get one fitted anywhere (I have had 3 screens in 40 yrs and the Ins Co stipulated the supplier!)
I noted the excess has crept up from £50 to £75 in the last 2 yrs or so - it had been £50 in living memory.
|
|
|
|
|
Arrange it youself with a screen replacement company. If you let your dealer arrange it you probably won't know who's going to do it and you won't have any control over the job. Choose a screen replacement company who will fit either a genuine spare or at least one made by the same manufacturer to the same standard. In the latter case the only difference should be that the car manufacturer's identification letters and numbers will be missing from the screen. Autoglass look reputable in this respect tinyurl.com/y9yzhdb but there well may be other companies just as reputable. Other Backroomers will probably be able to advise on this aspect from personal experience.
|
|
My Peugeot windscreen got damaged a while ago. It's athermic glass, with all the associated rain/light sensors bonded on. I rang Peugeot, who said they would just send it out to a Windscreen fitter. I took it to the Auto Glass depot, having asked that a genuine Peugeot glass be fitted. Took two weeks to arrive, but done efficiently and you'd never tell anything was ever amiss.
|
As already mentioned, your insurance Co will probably have their 'approved supplier' that you will be encouraged to use (usually Autoglass).
If you go to your local dealer, they'll most likely just call in an outside company anyway, which is probably for the best: better to have a pro doing the job who does windscreens every day rather than the trainee fitter at a garage having a go at your car with a Stanley knife and a shaky hand.
|
Thanks for the replies and advice all - much appreciated.
My insurer (M&S) doesn't use Autoglass - they use Autowindscreen, but I guess they're much of a muchness. I'll dig out the policy paperwork tonight and get it all in motion tomorrow.
|
Hang on, a 6" crack, they repair chips not cracks, a cracked screen will require replacing.
|
"My insurer (M&S) doesn't use Autoglass - they use Autowindscreen, but I guess they're much of a muchness."
Not quite.
From what I remember AutoWindscreens (now part of the RAC) manufacture their own glass so you will get an RAC branded screen as happened when I used them on our Volvo several years ago. It was fine.
Autoglass use OE glass eg on my Vectra it had a Pilkington/GM screen. The replacement was Pilkington but had no GM marking. Fine with me also.
I'd ask AutoWindscreens in advance what they are going to fit to make sure you're happy. If you're not happy with RAC branded glass ask about an OE screen.
Let us know how it goes.
Edited by Marc on 11/01/2010 at 12:24
|
|
|
|
My insurer (M&S) doesn't use Autoglass - they use Autowindscreen ...........
Can you not choose your own repairer, and make the arrangements yourself? Your insurer may try to get you to use a certain repairer (for the financial benefit of your insurer!) but I don't see why you have to agree to it. It's your car.
|
Well, I rang the number on the M&S website, which turned out to be different from the number on the Autowindscreen website and answers with"Welcome to the M&S Glass Line" ha ha.
Anyway, they didn't need the policy details, just who I was and the reg, and then within ten minutes the local branch called back. It's all set up, and I can have a pukka Toyota screen fitted (in a week, at my place of work, which is under cover) with just the standard insurance excess.
So far so good, and at least their front end was very pleasant and efficient. Remains to be seen what kind of job actually gets done, but that's true of anything.
I also spoke to the main dealer out of interest, and they said they would do it, not call in a third party, and that it would be £251 inc VAT, whereas my insurance excess is £75.
I type all this not because I expect anyone to be interested now, but for future reference in forum searches. I view this place as my own personal filing cabinet.
|
interesting thread interesting answers
all good knowledge
i always also find it interesting that the big boys always seem to quote the same prices (anyone think of a reason for this as im completely stumped)
and you cannot go and buy a new windscreen from any supplier as its a closed shop and you have to be a registered glass fitter,way round this? get local one man and his van glass fitter to cut one out of a breaker and fit that if its an expensive screen and you are on a budget
|
|
|
|
|
|
