Windshield replacement

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by FSETH

My windshield cracked the other day. I think it was from snow/ice sitting on the edge near the A-pillar because I don't see any chips in the glass. Anyhow, my insurnace company (The Hartford aka The Ripoff) says I would have to pay my $500 deductible, so I am trying to do this out of pocket. I was all set to go the Safelite way until I read some of the posts insisting on only OEM glass. I have rain sensing wipers and was quoted $378 for their glass. Still waiting on the quote with OEM glass.

Safelite says their glass is inspected x amount of times and that it comes with a lifetime guarantee. I mentioned that some people have had issues with aftermarket glass being wavey and the rep told me if anything looked off, they would replace it for free. I guess I am just making sure that the OEM glass is still worth it. I don't mind buying OEM parts at all, but until I saw this thread I was thinking it is just glass, right? Has anyone gone the aftermarket glass route with Safelite and been happy with the results?

Weasel, I was planning on replacing the top windshield cover as it has cracked over time, but is there anything else I should buy to have on hand when the come to install the windshield I end up buying?

When I started this thread back in '08 I was looking for the same feedback. As luck would have it, the "replica" windshield was cracked in transit after Safelite ordered it. They called me about the shipping delay at which point I said they might as well order the BMW OEM rain-sensing windshield. I believe I had a $100 deductible on the windshield, and that was all that I got charged.

Here's a tidbit that may be useful: GEICO has an unfortunate clause saying that they will only pay for "like and kind" replacement. That means that after you cover the windshield deductible, they are only obligated to pay for "like and kind" non-OEM replacement. They are not obligated to pay for the OEM BMW one. I'm betting The Hartford has a similar clause. HOWEVER: Safe-Lite told me on the phone that they will do their best to NOT have me pay anything beyond the deductible on the OEM windshield. I never got billed anything beyond the deductible portion.

Last, but not least, check your Hartford policy. MAKE SURE your Hartford windshield deductible is indeed $500, as they are claiming. They may be trying to pull a fast one on you by applying the COLLISION deductible instead of the WINDSHIELD deductible. These are usually 2 separate deductibles, with the winshield portion being lower. I would be surprised if your WINDSHIELD deductible is really that high. Kind of defeats the purpose of having separate windshield coverage.