Personally if it were me since windshields only are replaced once every how many years unless they get cracked, I'd pay the difference to have the job done right.

I have full glass coverage on my X5 (0 deductible) but I would make it a point to be sure I was getting the replacement done per BMW spec, with the glass I wanted (comfort climate).

FWIW, Safelite isn't the only glass replacement company in the country, there are plenty others, just gotta shop around. Safelite spends a ton of money on advertising and marketing to brokers so a lot of insurance agents send them the claims.

I should know, my wife is claims manager at the agency we work at. Safelite comes in all the time giving her free pens and pads and shit lol

I have GEICO, and glass on the Mercedes broke... Dealer wanted something crazy, insurance would cover only so much of it upto the 3rd party limit, I would have to pay difference... Talked to Safelite, the insurance would cover it all, with 3rd party glass...

the Safelite asked if there was a sensor on the glass, there was, and they "certified" to the insurance that the only way is to go with OE glass...

they went with the OE glass, with the Daimler signature and Tri-Star mercedes logo, for $50 deductible...

Term -

Maybe that's the loophole. I know my Bodyshop guarantees OEM glass coverage, etc, etc with no money out of pocket. Then again, my Bodyshop is crazy with the adjusters. They easily get 2X payout than what you would normally get from a *normal Bodyshop*.

Windshields are made by 2 or 3 companies worldwide, and once they slap the OEM logo, the price of said windshield goes up.
I changed the windshield on both the e39 and e53 with "aftermarket", no issues. On both the rainsensor & light sensor work fine (recalibrated at home with GT1/INPA after the install).
The BMW windshields come in 2 basic flavors, with and without the rainsensing/light sensing cutout & attached lens. Then they vary for both styles - comfort, yada yada.
Another reason BMW will charge you more, because you NEED the OEM shims around the windshield, so it sits correct and you have no wind noise at speeds. The shims can be re-used if the glass company knows what it's doing. Otherwise if destroyed you need new ones. One could contact the dealer and ask what's needed to install a new windshield. He'll give you the list, and you can pick everything else except the windshield.

Good point about the OEM shims, i will keep that in mind next time i am replacing my windshield in my car..

Based on my experience 5 years ago, State Farm covered what they can allow (but I paid the difference for the OE parts)

Sharing the PN's


BMW X Series (E53,E70,E71,E83) X5.

P/N: 51317064862 -Green windshield, shade band+rain sensor.

Green windshield, shade band+rain sensor. Glazing. BMW X Series (E53,E70,E71,E83) X5 (1998 - 2007) # 51317064862

P/N: 51317182004 - Cover, windshield.

Cover, windshield. Glazing single parts. BMW X5 (1998 - 2007) # 51317182004, 51318402457