Windscreen cracked twice - unlucky or dont make them like they used to?

locky123

Just recently got a small star-like crack in middle of Focus windscreen. Went and got Autoglass for a repair on insurance, which they duly carried out but the crack became worse during the repair, so had to have a complete new windscreen replacement and £60 excess.

Now after only a few days got another star-like crack near bottom of new windscreen. I am now not keen to get it repaired and will just leave it.

The repair chap indicated that cracks near the egdes are more problematic, prone to being more likely to crack during repair, seems the pressure they apply could be too much.

Just seems to me that windscreens these days are not as robust as they used to be, maybe cost saving by certain manufacturers on materials or thickness. I wonder if there are any indepenedent tests carried out.

Not sure whether my windscreen claim will actually affect the renewal premium as my insurer indicated it would not, but must I indicate that it is a claim when searching for this years best renewal quote? Somehow I think I must.

StaffsSW

The most common cause of stone chips is from vehicles travelling in front flicking them up, but as most cars do not come with mudflaps as standard these days, therefore more stones are connecting with glass.

The only real prevention is to leave a bigger gap with the vehicle in front - which is not a bad habit to have anyway.

MX5huggy

Insurance wise they oftern say "any claims excluding glass?".

I would be investingating if the second screen was installed properly if it had a fault? Do you know if it was ford screen or an after market one you got fitted, does it have the quick clear wires in it?

vikingaero

The condition of the roads has become much worse over the years. The deterioration leads of stones and excess grit left on the road surface. And Councils have cut back on road sweeping which exacerbates the problem.

My pet hate is lorry drivers who weave onto the hard shoulder at 56mph and throw up a shower of stones and grit.

locky123

Well today the 10p size star crack has turned into a very long horizontal crack near the bottom of the windscreen. Think for safety sake that I should get it replaced again. I dont think this recent replacement was an original Ford screen (how can this be checked, will it say Ford on it?) and it is the type with quick clear demister. I believe it was installed properly, but how does one ever know? You have to trust the leading screen suppliers to a certain degree.

Just think it was unlucky, two cracked windscreens in a week. My instinct says they dont make windscreens as strong as they used to.

mikey72

I get stone chips all the time, and with a bit of frost they always crack.
I've given up changing screens until they fail the mot.
I've had an 18 inches crack in one windscreen for nearly a year, and a ten inch crack in the present one for 4 months that I just changed for the mot. Plus loads of stars and chips.
Replacements are Pilkington, so should be decent enough.