Windshield replacement over $1,100?????

[tundrwd]

Originally Posted by rigormortis

windshield and glass repairs fall under the comprehensive section of your policy, comprehensive claims do not raise your rates, there is no financial reason to pay for this out of pocket, hoping to save money down the road.

Riiiiiight.......

I can tell you from first-hand experience that we had to change insurance companies one time (Allstate), because we had "too many claims". All we had done as to repair chips in the windshield 3 (three) times. Total cost for all 3 repairs (100% paid by Allstate), was under $200USD. Each time, was done under comprehensive, over a 3 year period to the same vehicle.

After the last repair, they would not renew our policy again the next year, for "excessive use". Not expenditure - too much use.

Unfortunately, legal within the state (talked to the insurance commissioner), so we had to change policies. I won't deal with Allstate ever again.

*edit* I'll also add this - the agent was totally unaware of this policy, and had actively encouraged ALL customers to have rock chips repaired (since they were paid 100% by the company, without deductible). It was stated that the company "preferred" this, since it would help avoid windshield replacement. *end edit*

I've also found, that GENERALLY, if you talk to the glass company, and tell them insurance ISN'T paying for it, you'll get your windshield replaced for $150USD or less. Usually around $100USD. If insurance is involved, the cost is higher.

Anymore, we pay out-of-pocket for this kind of repair. The cost isn't that much, and usually isn't much more than a $100 deductible anyway (we carry at least a $500 deductible anymore).

We have found a few other insurance companies who have admitted (most won't), that they also have "excessive use" clauses or policies (read the very fine print). State laws may override these, but I doubt there are many states that do.

[rigormortis]

man, that's crazy. i had two 2,000 claims for 2 years back to back, and my company still renewed my policy! of course it was more expensive as they were collision claims, but they still offered!

if i had allstate i'd probably just throw a brick through the window, or get one of those emergency hammers, so they won't cancel me
for repairing the same glass 3 times haha

AAA premier @ 109.00 a year will pay $50 of your windshield deductible, heh

[abq sfr]

State Farm uses a contractor, Lynx Services, to coordinate glass repairs. You notify your agent, they fax some things to Lynx, you call Lynx and they tell you where you can go. I asked for Toyota, they called the local Toyota dealer and found out who they use, then Lynx referred me to the local shop that does glass work for the Toyota Dealer. Local shop told me the glass will not have a Toyota label, and will probably be Pelkington or LN. I'm dropping it off tomorrow morning, they will shuttle me to work, but its up to me to get back there in the afternoon. I pay my deductible.

Somebody told me they always keep a crack repair kit so that they can repair a chip or crack before it gets too big to fix. Might be a good idea, considering how expensive a new windshield is.

[nownow]

A few interesting points, though not necessarily Prius related.

- My insurance company (State Farm, through Lynx) does not make a distinction between replacement and repair. Comp deductable is charged either way, and the repair only costs $99 w/o insurance. I got a small chip four days after a windshield replacement, and opted not to repair it once I heard this. While it's close to being in my line of sight (which would prohibit repair anyway), I'll wait until next June when I need another inspection.

- Lynx asks a tricky question. I was asked if there was any other damage. On the last chip in my Jetta, the rock hit the hood and came up to the windshield. Even though I wasn't claiming the hood, I made the *mistake* of saying there was some other superficial damage. Even though I wasn't claiming it, Lynx wouldn't process the claim. I had to do a song and dance between Lynx and State Farm for two days to get the claim processed under Comp.

- I think the tolerances and QC are a little lesser with aftermarket. I've had one that had two visible distortions in it, and another that was perfect. I didn't bother sending the distorted one back, but I suppose I could have.

- When I had a wrangler, the windshield was almost $1000 from an aftermarket shop. The explanation was that it had to be thicker and stronger because of the lack of arc and the angle at which it's installed. Glass company said that was one of the top 3 most expensive windshields out there. I'd imagine that starts lending to why an FJ might be more?

J.

[abq sfr]

I didn't have any other damage that I noticed, it didn't even make much sound when the rock hit and I don't know where it came from. They put in Pelkington glass, looking from drivers side it has lots of small wavy distortions on the passenger side. I have not said anything to the wife, she has not made any comment, so it must not be noticeable from the passenger seat. The new glass does say accoustic. The owner of the glass shop told me if I get a repairable chip or crack in the new one, bring it to him right away and he'll fix it for free.

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by abq sfr

This must be the official Priuschat glass thread. Rock hit windshield about 1/4 of way up on driver side near edge of glass, crack started moving up fast, yesterday it increased 2 inches so its probably 12 inches long now. State Farm has waived my deductible before on other cars if I go with their recommended glass shop, hope they do again. My windshield does not have the UV designation... it has

Toyota
AGC Automotive
DOT-207 M874 AS1
11T
Lamisafe

Does it have the extra UV even though it is not labeled that way? I wonder if Prius OEM glass is thinner to save weight. You would think it's at such a low angle that the rocks would deflect with a glancing blow and not crack it so readily. First car I ever owned that had a windshield replaced before 2 years. Guess I'll visit State Farm this afternoon.

Ditto, same glass, crack developing rapidly. I'm major PO'ed at Toyota over this.

[JerryCS]

We just had our 2005 windshield replaced two weeks ago, Safelite was the shop of choice for our insurance company, Ameriprise. Guy drove 50 minutes to our house, did the job in less than an hour, we paid our deductible. Total was $360 on the invoice.

The glass is marked:
SGC (Safecoat Glass Co.?)
M48 DOT65 ASI E
7 8
A C
FW2602

I'm wondering if this is acoustically insulated glass, as the OEM Prius glass is.

[zmre2b]

to bump the main windshield thread, I'll add this info. OEM glass in new 04-05 prius seems to be from DOT-20 Asahi. Another OEM toyota glass is Thai Safety : DOT-207

Replacement glass ordered from toyota parts costs $900+ and they didn't know the mfr or DOT code.

Replacement glass from safelite seems to be mostly DOT-65 Safelite and they occasionally use PPG: DOT-18 and Pilkington: DOR- 177 all of which seem to be ok. seems to be from $300-360 (with new seals).

It is better to have them come to your house, b/c then you can be right there and watch them, other wise they do it in the shop, where you have to wait in a waiting room and can't see what's going on and they are probably using your car to train the new hire.

The wiper blades/arms do not have to come off -- they just lift up. They start by pulling the rubber seal all around the glass, using a tool to cut the urethane seal and then lift out the old glass.

you can take the opportunity of having no windshield to fish out things that fell in front of your dash that you couldn't reach, or run a wire up to above the mirror for a radar dector, scangauge or whatever. You can fish the wire down below the dash from the lower part of the A pillar.

They run a bead of urethane sealant and lay the windshield back onto it. He said I could drive in an hour.