Got viciously attacked by a stone on the m/way yesterday, leaving me with a large crack in my windscreen. Cars being what they are today, it's laminated ,heat reflecting glass with light and wiper sensors installed.
The car is only two years old and I'd like to get it done through a Peugeot dealer, so there can be do arguments about honouring the warranty if problems arise. Any tips on dealing with the insurance company. I suspect they use the cheapest firm available.
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I think, on balance, I would rather let windscreen fitting experts do the job as opposed to technicians at the dealer who may or may not have the specific skills for the job. Windscreen firms must be used to dealing with high-tech components these days, I guess?
Anyway, who's to say the dealer wouldn't pass the car straight on to a windscreen firm as soon as you've left?
The last time I needed a screen the insurance company (Saga, gulp) passed me straight on to Autoglass, who were excellent.
The new screen came packed as a genuine Honda replacement, made by Pilkington in Finland!
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I suspect it would be passed on to a windscreen specialist. My thoughts are that if it's gone through Peugeot, they can't wriggle out of any warranty claim should something stop working.
Going with an insurance companies 'own brand', I've got this (probably irrational) vision of a dodgy Transit van turning up a and a bloke jumping out with a tube of 'No Nails'. :)
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I guess you could be right...
Actually, the guy from the French 'partner' of Autoglass turned up at our house with a Renault van and various tubes of sealant and a nifty cordless syringe effort to pump them in. I actually helped him lift the new screen into place! Never given any problems, though.
Of course, to be fair, it didn't contain any sensors or complicated connections.
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"My thoughts are that if it's gone through Peugeot, they can't wriggle out of any warranty claim should something stop working."
Any subsequent issues with the sensor(s) after a new windscreen is fitted would lie with the installer and not Peugeot.
You need to read your insurance policy booklet but I would imagine there will be an excess to pay if you deviate from their normal windscreen supplier (usually one of the chains).
I think most insurers advise you to go to their approved windscreen company direct these days. With me this was Autoglass the last time. When I queried whether I would be getting a GM screen for my Vectra I was told that it if I wanted a GM branded item it would be prohibitive for me cost wise as a large excess would be payable. As it turned out Autglass supplied and fitted a Pilkington screen anyway so I was happy in that respect.
The other chain - RAC Autowindscreens manufacture (or used to) their own glass IME.
Edited by Marc on 17/04/2009 at 12:40
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Main dealers very rarely change screens. All the expertise, experience and knowledge will be with the main windscreen instaler companies.
Have it done at home on your day off (make sure the car is parked somewhere flat), feed him cups of tea, dont drive it for 24 hours and you wont have any trouble.
Rain sensors and alike have been around long enough now to not be a problem.
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Spoke to the insurer (who use Autoglass) and they were happy for me to take it to Peugeot, but I would have to pay in full and claim the cash back (minus £60 excess).
However, on speaking with Peugeot, they said they'd send it straight to Autoglass anyway, so I've decided to cut out the middleman and to Autoglass it goes. I did query the make of the windscreen and the glass lady stated that it would be a non-branded Pilkington screen, to oem specifications.
(It does have to go to their workshop though, rather than be done at home)
I'm sure I'm worrying unduly, but I look after my car meticulously and I'd be gutted if the repair wasn't perfect.
Edited by midlifecrisis on 17/04/2009 at 13:34
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I asked for Mazda screen rather than the std issue. Waited 1 week but other than that it was the same £60 excess.
Just make sure you give exact model and tell them of "any extras" such as rain sensing etc.
My son had 4 visits before they got the right screen, colour, heated zone + correct connection to his Lexus.
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The other chain - RAC Autowindscreens manufacture (or used to) their own glass IME.
They fitted a new screen to daughter's Ibiza which broke just a few weeks after she got it new. I was a bit concerned having read the horror stories and the glass is a very distinct shade of green.
They told me it would be a genuine screen as their own factory only makes a limited range, although it would come with the glass manufacturers name on it rather than SEAT. In the event it was an RACAW own brand screen, but I have to say the colour match is perfect and the screen shows no distortions. It's been fitted 4yrs now and is still fine.
It was also, as best as I could tell, the same thickness - apparently RACAW sometimes fit thinner screens and that can make the car noisier.
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the best windscreen fitter ive ever used started out in a beat up transit,he bought the windscreens from the closed shop windscreen manufacturers suppliers and came and fitted it and managed to reuse the surround seal that most fitters just rip out to bung the price up
he was cheap efficient and fully trained as he came from one of the big boys that tells you a chip is dangerous
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Well, the crack gets bigger. Autoglass have cancelled two appointments because they can't get the right (sat nav compatible) windscreen.
And they can't give me any idea either!!
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