Windscreen replacement

alphahomme

Hi There,

Last week I changed my Skoda Octavia's windscreen, as it had very bad crack. I changed it through Skoda dealers expecting 2 years warranty for the parts. Yesterday, a new chip appeared and the screen cracked again. Unfortunately I'm not in fully comp insurance. So, took it back to the same Skoda dealer asking to assess whether it is a structural fracture and they can replace it under warranty. But, the mechanic said it's impact damage and not covered under warranty. I can't pay another 250£ for a new windscreen replacement. Any advise or help would be appreciated.

I live in Woking. Buying windscreen from scrap car is advisable? If so, would you recommend any garage that do scrapping?

Many thanks

bigjav

Where abouts on the screen is the crack, is it near the edge at all, is there a definite sign of impact?

Inactive

Get a few quotes from independent screen companies, avoid the big outfits.

Get Fully Comp Insurance.

Hintza

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Skoda-Octavia-2001-Windscreen-Tinted-with-Tint-Zone_W0QQitemZ310164265671QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash

£71 (Unfortunately in Doncaster)

Phone around a few independents and get some prices.

I would price it up as you supplying the screen and also with the fitter supplying the screen. I would definitely try sourcing a second hand one (but there might not be much in it)

bezzza

I'm not sure if you can do this but can you not increase your insurance to fully comp (not mentioning the already damaged windscreen) then claim under the windscreen part of the policy and pay the £70 excess? Might be worth changing your insurance at renewal as got to be cheaper than £500 on 2 windscreens ouch that's gotta hurt your pocket

plane_boy2000

I dont see how it could be a warranty claim as you state that it was a chip that the cracked, so the garages assesment of impact damage is fair.

Thinking about it a 2 year warranty on a windscreen must be pretty useless as I am not aware of anyone having a windscreen fail for anything other than damage

rev_henry

bezzza wrote: »

I'm not sure if you can do this but can you not increase your insurance to fully comp (not mentioning the already damaged windscreen) then claim under the windscreen part of the policy and pay the £70 excess? Might be worth changing your insurance at renewal as got to be cheaper than £500 on 2 windscreens ouch that's gotta hurt your pocket

If you're going to do this set the voluntary excess as high as possible. This reduces the premium and effectively gives you TPFT with windscreen cover.

Glassman

A cracked windscreen from a stonechip is hard luck, but never a warranty issue - not in a million years. There are many drivers that have been driving for 20, 30+ years and never had stone damage to their windscreen, yet others will need theirs replaced several times a year.

Secondhand windscreens can potentially be cheaper, but will also come with surface marks, scratches and possibly even a stonechip or two... it may save you money now but in the long run, your hand may be forced once again. Besides, you'll then have to find someone willing to fit it (and it's not the sort of thing many specialists would guarantee either).

The suggestions of taking out insurance to cover this loss is fraud as the damage occured before cover was in place.

My suggestion is to bite the bullet and accept that you've been unlucky. There are cheap installers and there are expensive ones; shop around for a day or two and you'll see how much the price varies (especially when comparing larger companies to smaller). If you post up your area, I can personally recommend someone if you like?

alphahomme

Thanks for your advise guys. Much appreciated. I'm phoning companies, and fingers crossed for a good deal. Will post the quote I'm going for. Thanks again.

cyclonebri1

bigjav wrote: »

Where abouts on the screen is the crack, is it near the edge at all, is there a definite sign of impact?

On the same theme as BJ, on what are they baseing their claim that it is impact damage?

Ignore the replacement, that's a given, but if there is no indication of a chip, and you have said nothing to sugest that there is, what are they basing their assumption on??? If it comes from an edge and finishes feint then it is not impact. The big argument is always, "well you must have hit a speed bump too fast" Can't speed bumps in a 30 be taken at 30 then???

Most likely substandard installation this close together.

Whats the average, 1 bust screne per 25 years motoring???