Smashed windscreen

elljay

I developed a small (6 inch long) crack low down on the passengers side of the windscreen when a stone flew up. I went to my insurers and paid the £50 excess and waited for the usual company to come and replace the windscreen.

They turned up to do it at work which was brilliant, however they had sent the wrong windscreen so the guy had to put mine back in while waiting for a new one to be ordered. However in taking my old one out he cracked it very badly, big cracks up and down and across. It's now 3 weeks and I am told it is still on order though they are chasing it. I have to drive this car, luckily just locally as I don't have another and living in a rural area there are no buses etc. It worries me though and I can't drive at night so am wondering if I can rent a car and the insurance company pay? I will ring them in the morning but can't find anything about this in the policy or on the net, the assumption is that windscreens are easily fixed or replaced.

Would be grateful to know if anyone else has experienced the same. Thanks

flashg67

You could ask them if you can arrange to get the glass from elsewhere and they'll reimburse you? (get it in writing though). That said, there aren't that many glass manufacturers, so if it's on back order already, you might struggle elsewhere.

robbies_gal

you really shouldntdrive though if your visibility isnt good-the police can fine you for that

wobbley

Kick up a stink with this 'usual company', - it is unacceptable to fit a damaged screen. The error lies with the fitter and ultimately the company. If it's the company off the telly with the annoying jingle, the fitters are supposed to check the glass is correct before doing anything else. And a word in the ear of the branch manager should get things moving quicker as he will probably be unaware the screen has been refitted when badly damaged. Three weeks is an awfully long time to be waiting for a screen and the company should be supplying a hire car if you are unable to drive it without risk of a tug from plod.

elljay

To be fair to the fitter, the replacement windscreen was an official part and did have the name etc of my car/model on it - it was only when he came to fit it did he find the shape was slightly different. The barnch manager is aware.

Will ring as soon as I've had a coffee!! Thanks for the advice all.

gabitzul

Don't let them get away with it, your car is not safe to drive. For the glued windscreens (most of them these days), they are an integral part of the car structure.

Also, as someone else has already mentioned, the plod will not like this at all and will definitely fine you, plus on top of that thety will likely even stop you from driving it (what's the word?) until fixed.

wobbley

Be aware that the PU adhesive used to fit screens, takes about a month to set all the way through. Check all trims and the area around the screen for 'black goo' or marks after they have taken the screen out. It can get VERY messy taking out a screen that has only been in a short while.

What car is it BTW ?

OE screens have the manufacturers name, but never heard of a car model being printed on a screen.