autoglass repair? What's the catch?

sillygoose

I have had the reverse problem, I am lucky to be excess free as I drive under companies insurance. Sometimes I have prefered to have a new windscreen but the lazy operator doesn't want to do the bigger less-pleasant job and just wants to do the 10 minute resin thing, which often makes little difference.

The dopey looking ones under a gazeebo outside DIY shops amaze me, does anyone use them? the ones around here appear to have no equipment (perhaps a tube of superglue in their pockets?) other than a deckchair and a battered old Rover. I bet they sting the insurers for at least £60 a time.

The only other thing is it may prevent water getting in and freezing (expanding), making the crack worse so I would always at least try getting it done, if only for protection, insurers know a crack can only get worse so are happy to pay for this.

roddydogs

d4v1d_sm4rt wrote: »

sorry roddydogs but how many repairs have you actually witnessed?
Ive seen it with my own eyes many times, and heard complaints about screens "accidently cracking out" remembering the screen is stressed DURING the repair process not after. There is a resin chamber on what is called the Glass Medic "ras head" and this has an o ring around it which seals the resin chamber onto the screen. When the device is activated it sucks itself down onto the screen and this o ring is forced onto the screen with considerable vacuum pressure by the surrounding vacuum cup. It is this physical pressure RIGHT ONTO THE CHIP that can split it out at the time of the repair. Also because Autoglas are not allowed to drill a screen then the resin may not penetrate the break properly which is what can be seen in the picture here on this site www.glassdoctors.com this chip is just not filled because it is not drilled.

All i can say is i had no problems, didnt sign any "waiver"(autoglass)

cajef

d4v1d_sm4rt wrote: »

sorry roddydogs but how many repairs have you actually witnessed?

Over the years I have had several chips repaired by Autoglass on various cars and they have never broken the screen yet.

Altarf

d4v1d_sm4rt wrote: »

blah blah blah www.glassdoctors.com

Funny how everytime you post it is about windscreens, rubbishing Autoglass and mentioning that website.

daveyjp

Mine was repaired under a gazebo in a shopping centre car park - operated by Autoglass. Excellent job. You do have to accept it may break while they do it, but there's more chance of it breaking if it's not done.

redux

Altarf wrote: »

Funny how everytime you post it is about windscreens, rubbishing Autoglass and mentioning that website.

website registrant David something

the funniest thing about this persistent spammer slagging off Autoglass is that his chip on the shoulder about them seems to extend to copying a good part of their phone number

CHR15

Most of his posts get his website addy removed by moderators

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=23645

http://www.mx-5.com/Community/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=60829

His work doesn't seem particularly cheap at £60-£120 for a repair (not far off the price of a new windscreen).
http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=80536

anewman

Ooooh great debunking guys

You have to think though, it would make some sort of sense for a big company to make glass break then offer to replace it so they make more money. Any scam someone can get away with they'll give it a try.

Quentin

The op asks what is the catch - and there is one.

You must declare the claim for the next 5 years whenever approaching a new insurer for a quote. So although your ncb is unaffected, your claim record is, and consequently your premium may be increased.

NopainNogain_2

Quentin wrote: »

The op asks what is the catch - and there is one.

You must declare the claim for the next 5 years whenever approaching a new insurer for a quote. So although your ncb is unaffected, your claim record is, and consequently your premium may be increased.

Yep, that's what happened to me! (See post #9). Premium WAS increased :mad:

Oh, and there was no opportunity to tell online insurance companies it was a repair, not a replacement. Should have been obvious from the cost, but premium still went up!