Autoglass Windscreen Repair

[Rawns]

Just had a call from the wife. While driving into work this morning on the motorway, her car was hit by something which has created a big chip in her windscreen. She says its no more than the size of a five pence piece and is about 2 inches above the driver's view.

 

I've seen the auto glass adverts on telly over the years on how they can repair chips in less than an hour, it (apparently) costs nothing(?), not to bother contacting your insurance as most of them recommend auto glass, and that it wont affect your insurance premium. Has anyone used them before and had any issues? Is it really as simple as they make out? Is it really worth just going straight to them, or should I have a word with my insurance company in the first instance?

 

Edit: Pics...

 

Edited January 11, 2013 by Rawns

[JJonas]

It sounds like it might be too big to repair, the position of the chip makes a difference as well. Keep it dry, if water gets in its more difficult to get a good repair. Also check with the repairer if they believe it will pass its MOT after the repair.

[Netwacky87]

Ive had 2 windscreens replaced now all through chips and what not, I would (personally) go through the insurance company, it never has affected my no claims (check but im sure it doesnt) and a replacement windscreen has never cost me more than £70 and the one chap showed me the bill, the insurance company pays for quite a bit £300+. Just me though, I would always go through insurance.

 

Based on your pics mate, I would say it might need replacing, see if it gets any more cracks appearing over the day (wont take long believe me!) lol

Edited January 11, 2013 by Netwacky87

[plexer]

You book an appointment via autoglass or whoever your insurers recommend which is normally autoglass it will say so on your poilicy documents.

 

If they can repair they will attempt to do so however the screen may break during the repair which means a new screen anyway, most insurers do do chips repairs for nothing others apply a small amount £10 - £15.

 

If the screen breaks you iwll have to pay the screen excess direct to autoglass normally £70-£75.

 

It doesn't affect your insurance premium.

 

Ben

[plexer]

I once signed up for Tesco Value insurance but when the documents came through it didn't include windscreen cover at all, I rang autoglass to find out how much a replacement screen was for the car we had at the time and it was something really high like £400+ cancelled that policy and got another one.

 

Ben

[Rawns]

Cheers guys. Actually rung Admiral first and they don;t use Auto Glass, they use National Windscreen repairs. Like @plexer said, £75 for a new windscreen, or £25 if the chip can be repaired.

[Max_Power]

As mentioned above, make sure itll pass MOT if fixed. If chip is within certain area of windscreen you aren't allowed any blemishes.

[rad]

For the hassle of it, I would get a new windscreen. That chip is in your eye line, a low sun and it will reflect of the chip.

 

I too am with Admiral, and National were good when I got a replacement screen, doesnt affect your insurance.

[Jamman960]

Most of the time its just a case of arranging an appointment with them and telling them who you're insurance is with. Admiral's policy is that you must call them first otherwise they'll only pay up to x amount. If I remember correctly it works out ok for a chip repair but falls short by a long way when it comes to windscreen replacement.

[plexer]

Looking at that pic I doubt they'd repair it.

 

Ben

[tech_guy]

They might be able to repair it and it might not affect your MOT as it's above the driver's main area of view. I've had a similar sized chip repaired.

[Max_Power]

Details can be found here on if it will result in failure Windscreen safety & repair | AA

wont do any harm in asking just to be on the safe side.

[twin--turbo]

For the record.

 

if yoru asked "have you made any claims in the last x years" Don't forget about windscreen replacement as this is classed as a claim.

 

A correctly done repair in the prescribed swept area of the windscreen will pass an MOT. if the windscreen company belive it wont pass they wont do it.

 

 

And usualy you can go to whoever you like so long as you ensure they speak to the Insurance company first to get approval.

 

Rob

[sonofsanta]

Having had two new windscreens and about half a dozen chip repairs in the last two to three years, I would say: always phone your insurance company, they usually have a preferred repairer. Usually free for repair or £70/5 replacement and doesn't affect your premiums. If it can't be repaired legally then windscreen bloke won't do it and will arrange to come back with a windscreen, so you may as well try and get it repaired. Measure it with a coin (i.e. "fits under a 5p"), it's the most useful comparison over the phone when booking the repair.

[tech_guy]

Do you reckon AutoGlass can fix this with their resin:

 

 

[Rawns]

Update: Rang up my insurance company on Friday at 5pm who passed the details on to their windscreen repair company of choice. They rung me at 5:05pm which I was pleased with considering it was Friday. They came out this morning to the wife's workplace and looked at it first and said it could be repaired but it's likely it could fail the MOT because of the location of it. We took the option of a replacement and it's been taken to the local repair center where a replacement is being installed. Better safe than sorry, and for £75, it's not a bad hit for a new windscreen.

 

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

[Ketlane]

Replacement if uninsured can be hideously expensive. Mine would have been approaching £900 but esure covered it all bar an excess. While I was hanging around (it was more convenient to take the car to the Autoglass workshop than have them come to me) I overheard a quote for a Mercedes of £1200 and that wasn't for a genuine Mercedes part, which would have been even more.

[sudeshatilsley]

I had to have my rear window replaced. As I was with Admiral, I had to go with National. They were quick enough but the workmanship was a little bit dodgy. He broke my rear wiper trying to get it off, scuffed my paintwork and rounded off two screws that hold the spoiler on above the rear window. Wasn't impressed.

If the chip is quite large, I would just get the windscreen replaced. But as the others have said, if the repair can't be done they won't do it.

[twin--turbo]

I had to have my rear window replaced. As I was with Admiral, I had to go with National. They were quick enough but the workmanship was a little bit dodgy. He broke my rear wiper trying to get it off, scuffed my paintwork and rounded off two screws that hold the spoiler on above the rear window. Wasn't impressed.

If the chip is quite large, I would just get the windscreen replaced. But as the others have said, if the repair can't be done they won't do it.

 

They should make good any damage then make durign repair.