Autoglass - money for nothing and the chips aren't free

mademoiselle_2

(apologies to Dire Straits for the dire pun!)

I have just read this thread on windscreen repair for a chip:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4539949

and, having just contacted Autoglass myself, can confirm that they are really making a lot of money for themselves!

I have had the bad luck to get a tiny chip on my windscreen when a stone flew up.

Looking at all the options for getting it repaired ( I have insurance but they automatically take the excess amount for repair), I contacted Autoglass online; and, having described the size, location etc of the chip, the screen confirmed that this was a repair and invited me to book an appointment.

I worked through numerous screens assuring me that Autoglass dealt direct with Insurers and took all the stress out of getting the repair processed and in many cases, the repair would be free etc.

I booked the appointment - only to receive a phone call asking me to confirm all the details I had already put online. Except they changed the goalposts on the actual repair. The online screen said chips smaller than a £2 coin could be repaired. The chap on the phone wanted to know if the repair was "smaller than 3mm".

I made him hold while I checked this on a ruler - it is TINY (one eighth of an inch in old money)!

I would not lie and said that my chip was 5mm. I was then asked who my Insurer was - again, I had already told them this online. When I confirmed the Insurer, I was told "oh, we don't deal with them", and quoted an astounding £76 to get this repaired!! :eek: Needless to say, I cancelled.

It seems to me that this company are really exploiting the situation - as do Insurers.

How can they possibly justify asking this amount?

Resin repairs are a small job and used to be included for free on car insurance policies.

Now we are ripped off and exploited as the Insurers and local repairers all compete to see who can take as much money off us as possible.

This area really needs regulation - it just should not be possible to put people on the spot for this sort of money, for a tiny repair.

WTFH

Why not do it yourself?

Also, many insurers still do free resin repairs - you would need to check your insurance policy to find out: 1. if your policy includes it and 2. which company the insurer uses for their repairs.

Was the £76 for them to come to you, or for you to go to them?

Gloomendoom

I think some people have found that a 'free' repair actually counts as a claim on the policy.

mademoiselle_2

I checked my policy and sadly my Insurer does not do free repairs - I wish they did!

The price quoted was to come to me - I tried to book the 'visit autoglass centre' first but there was no branch within miles of me.


Is that what they do, then - load the mileage from their branch into the cost of the repair?

The online blurb says there is "no extra cost" for an at-home repair.

motorguy

mademoiselle wrote: »

(apologies to Dire Straits for the dire pun!)

I have just read this thread on windscreen repair for a chip:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4539949

and, having just contacted Autoglass myself, can confirm that they are really making a lot of money for themselves!

I have had the bad luck to get a tiny chip on my windscreen when a stone flew up.

Looking at all the options for getting it repaired ( I have insurance but they automatically take the excess amount for repair), I contacted Autoglass online; and, having described the size, location etc of the chip, the screen confirmed that this was a repair and invited me to book an appointment.

I worked through numerous screens assuring me that Autoglass dealt direct with Insurers and took all the stress out of getting the repair processed and in many cases, the repair would be free etc.

I booked the appointment - only to receive a phone call asking me to confirm all the details I had already put online. Except they changed the goalposts on the actual repair. The online screen said chips smaller than a £2 coin could be repaired. The chap on the phone wanted to know if the repair was "smaller than 3mm".

I made him hold while I checked this on a ruler - it is TINY (one eighth of an inch in old money)!

I would not lie and said that my chip was 5mm. I was then asked who my Insurer was - again, I had already told them this online. When I confirmed the Insurer, I was told "oh, we don't deal with them", and quoted an astounding £76 to get this repaired!! :eek: Needless to say, I cancelled.

It seems to me that this company are really exploiting the situation - as do Insurers.

How can they possibly justify asking this amount?

Resin repairs are a small job and used to be included for free on car insurance policies.

Now we are ripped off and exploited as the Insurers and local repairers all compete to see who can take as much money off us as possible.

This area really needs regulation - it just should not be possible to put people on the spot for this sort of money, for a tiny repair.

A new screen is probably £200 plus.

For £60 + VAT, they're sending a van out to wherever you are, paying a driver, doing the repair, etc.

Doesnt seem unreasonable.

Its only "free" because they claim it off your insurance.

mademoiselle_2

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I think some people have found that a 'free' repair actually counts as a claim on the policy.

why does this not surprise me?:cool:

motorguy

mademoiselle wrote: »

I checked my policy and sadly my Insurer does not do free repairs - I wish they did!

The price quoted was to come to me - I tried to book the 'visit autoglass centre' first but there was no branch within miles of me.


Is that what they do, then - load the mileage from their branch into the cost of the repair?

The online blurb says there is "no extra cost" for an at-home repair.

I'm not sure what the surprise is here. They're charging you for their costs + profit?

Quentin

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I think some people have found that a 'free' repair actually counts as a claim on the policy.

It is, and must be disclosed as part of your claims history to any insurers you approach for quotes (They usually ask for 3/5 years history).

Not many free repairs insurers left - most now have an excess for repairs too as well as replacement.

See how much a local independent will charge if you don't do DIY.

motorguy

mademoiselle wrote: »

why does this not surprise me?:cool:

Its charged back to your insurance company.

I cant see it being registered as a 'claim' in the same way as claiming for say a score down your car would be a claim, but i'm sure its logged on your record

motorguy

Quentin wrote: »

It is, and must be disclosed as part of your claims history to any insurers you approach for quotes (They usually ask for 3/5 years history).

Not many free repairs insurers left - most now have an excess for repairs too as well as replacement.

See how much a local independent will charge if you don't do DIY.

With most people opting for the cheapest insurance, its hardly surprising we're seeing the 'frills' being removed.

arcon5

Contact some local windscreen specialists - I was quoted £30+vat for a chip repair from a company not so long ago