Quick question (again) windscreen insurance

butler_helen

I had a chip repaired in September 2011, at the time admiral would not replace the window and my argument that it wouldn't pass an MOT fell on deaf ears.

Now it's MOT time and the chip (>10mm in the drivers view) will fail the MOT. Will they replace it now or do I have to pay for a new windscreen, in which case I'm not happy it wasn't replaced first time.

What's the norm in these cases? I can't call admiral - it costs a small fortune from a mobile and I can't find the answer on the Internet (I have googled and read various forums and articles).

mikey72

Has it failed the MOT?

butler_helen

Not yet but if it does then I'd like to know where I stand.

Plus various sites say where and where and what size chips will fail - mine does.

Unless its a case of "test and see", then from there I claim for a new windscreen if it fails and move on nicely if it doesn't.

InsideInsurance

They wont do anything until it has failed.

If it does fail then you have a strong argument for it to be replaced under the original claim (not a new one) and probably some compensation for the fact they have done unsafe repairs and not fixed it despite prior complaints by you about it.

butler_helen

I might pass all this insurance and worrying malarkey onto my boyfriend after this episode... I'm also balancing timings with getting the car assessed at the accident centre before mot-ing it so we know what portion of the damage was due to the driver who ran into me. I.e MOT is due now and it will fail with the bumper falling off... But repairing it takes it out of MOT time and the accident repair place doesn't do MOT's!

butler_helen

InsideInsurance wrote: »

They wont do anything until it has failed.

If it does fail then you have a strong argument for it to be replaced under the original claim (not a new one) and probably some compensation for the fact they have done unsafe repairs and not fixed it despite prior complaints by you about it.

That's my feelings on how it should work - any ideas on whether admiral actually work like that?

mikey72

From the handbook - Repaired windscreens must be inspected to the same test criteria as unrepaired windscreens.Repairs must be judged solely on the basis of whether they interfere with vision. An ‘invisible’ or barely detectable repair, finished flush with the surrounding glass, does not count as damage even if it exceeds the limit on damage allowed in the test.If these criteria are met, the position and size of repairs is not relevant for the purposes of the test.

forgotmyname

I wouldnt have thought the repairer would repair a screen that would fail the MOT.

IF it fails then phone them and say the repair they arranged has failed the MOT. And you need it sorted now.

I doubt it will fail though. It shouldnt have been repaired if it was too big.

Bit of a grey area screens. How bad does it have to be to be covered for replacement?

Is a chip the same as having a worn tyre or require a new mechanical part?

But a totally smashed screen covered?

butler_helen

forgotmyname wrote: »

I wouldnt have thought the repairer would repair a screen that would fail the MOT.

IF it fails then phone them and say the repair they arranged has failed the MOT. And you need it sorted now.

I doubt it will fail though. It shouldnt have been repaired if it was too big.

Bit of a grey area screens. How bad does it have to be to be covered for replacement?

Is a chip the same as having a worn tyre or require a new mechanical part?

But a totally smashed screen covered?

I agree. At the time their argument was that the MOT was months away and so we had to repair it.

We have since found two more little chips which don't need filling - so i would like a new windscreen... But I'd like it to just pass more!

I will be back once I know of its failed and what admiral say - I see this isn't something we/I can second guess.

butler_helen

Quick update: car failed MOT on the windscreen chip.

Admiral agreed to the new replacement under the original claim (cost me a £70 excess). I've asked them to put it in writing that it's not a new claim.

Their fitters, national windscreens were brilliant - fitted me in this afternoon after failing this morning. Re-test with the FOrd garage is Tuesday morning - all in all it's worked out well thanks to swift service from all the people involved.

(albeit I did have to explain a few times to admiral that I wasn't making a new claim - just whinging about an old one!)