Replacing windscreen

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d0nkeyk0ng
d0nkeyk0ng Posts: 873 Forumite
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I've noticed a crack in my windscreen. I don't know how long it's been there. It's very low down (just above the black dots at the bottom on the windscreen) and didn't look like a crack from the outside. There's a stone chip in the corner with a line running across that looks more like a scratch or mark than a "proper" crack. I can't see it from my driving position.

Insurance has just been renewed and I'm weighing up between going through insurance and paying a windscreen company directly. I've had three incidents over the last five years so I'm concerned about impact on premiums.

2013 - ended up being 50:50
2014 - driver admitted liability
2016 - non-fault

I have 10 yrs NCB protected. Excess for glass is £70 and must be done through autoglass IIRC. New windscreen according to autoglass quote is £300. The car has a rain and light sensor and I've read reports that if the windscreen hasn't been fitted properly, then the sensors don't work or go haywire.

Should I go through insurance and not worry about the premium rise? Should I pay directly (I have the funds)?
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  • EdGasketTheSecond
    EdGasketTheSecond Posts: 2,558 Forumite
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    Just get it done on the insurance; that's why you've got it. Windscreen claims are not supposed to affect NCB or premiums.
  • marlot
    marlot Posts: 4,934 Forumite
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    If autoglass are quoting £300, a local independent may well only be £150. Worth a few phone calls, I'd have thought.
  • takman
    takman Posts: 3,876 Forumite
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    marlot wrote: »
    If autoglass are quoting £300, a local independent may well only be £150. Worth a few phone calls, I'd have thought.

    I would suggest this too.

    On a previous car which had a rain sensor and tinted strip on the top the windscreen i got a quote from Autoglass and they wanted over £600 for the windscreen and fitting!. I then called a local windscreen fitter and they did it for £145!.
  • waamo
    waamo Posts: 10,298 Forumite
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    My insurance don't class windscreens as a claim. Check with yours there are many that don't.
  • deaston
    deaston Posts: 477 Forumite
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    I've had two new windscreens in three weeks, both on insurance.

    Not affected NCB and no questions asked. Just £75 each time.
  • waamo
    waamo Posts: 10,298 Forumite
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    deaston wrote: »
    I've had two new windscreens in three weeks, both on insurance.

    Not affected NCB and no questions asked. Just £75 each time.

    Mine was similar. On the way to view a car the windscreen suffered a stone chip so had to be replaced before trading in.

    On picking up the new car I had an enthusiastic test of it resulting in a stone chip.

    I must admit I half expected a bill the second time but fair play to the insurance company they didn't bat an eye lid.
  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
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    waamo wrote: »
    My insurance don't class windscreens as a claim. Check with yours there are many that don't.
    What insurer are you with?
  • waamo
    waamo Posts: 10,298 Forumite
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    neilmcl wrote: »
    What insurer are you with?

    Axa. Not through a comparison site though. Don't know if that makes a difference.
  • loskie
    loskie Posts: 1,761 Forumite
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    What Marlot said indie window company NOT autoglass
  • Glassman
    Glassman Posts: 145 Forumite
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    waamo wrote: »
    Axa. Not through a comparison site though. Don't know if that makes a difference.

    AXA ins WILL impact your NCB after making a windscreen claim.

    I would also be very interested to speak to anybody claiming there will be no rise in premium after a windscreen claim.
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