Cracked my windshield today

[shashankmittal]

I parked my car yesterday in an underground garage and to my surprise noticed a 8" long 'L' shaped crack today morning...maybe due to change in temperature...I dunno

Called up the dealer today morning and was quoted $869 for glass and 4hr labor @120/hr. In MA, the insurance company pays 100% for glass replacement and there is no deductible either. So I called up my insurance company and they said that they can pay for the glass but can't pay the exorbitant labor charges. They suggested me that I can get the work done at JN Phillips Auto Glass, which is a reputed auto glass replacement chain in New England.

The JN Phillips guys told me that they can get the OE glass from the BMW dealer and can easily install it (I just have rain sensor, no HUD). This way I won't have to pay even a penny for anything and everything will be taken care of by the insurance company. So my questions is:

1. Is it better to get the windshield replaced indoor and not outdoors? I am anyways planning to get it done at their shop and not use their 'mobile glass replacement' service.
2. Any precautions that I need to take?
3. What brand of glass does BMW use these days? My stock glass is a BMW stamped- Saint Gobain glass. But the JN Philips guys told me that the BMW dealership is sending them some other brand.
4. Can the existing rubber/plastic gasket and moldings be re-used to water tight the edges?
5. I searched on the forum and some people complain about the rain sensors not working working correctly after their windshield was replaced. Is it a common problem? How is it resolved?
6. Has anyone used JN Phillips before? any reviews?