Chip/crack on windscreen. Will my premiums go up next year? *URGENT*

General_query

Hi,

Driving home from holiday yesterday on the motoway and a stone or something hit our windscreen. Pulled into nearest services and checked and there is a small dent/chip/hole, and also a 2mm horizontal line either side of the chip (picture the London underground logo). Whole width is just under 1cm right in my drivers eyeline, but the actual hole/crack is 1-2mm.





Think I have to pay £75 excess for any windscreen claim via my insurer xxxxxxx, but have a couple of questions:

1. I am best to ring xxxxxx and not Autoglass first (despite Autoglass advertising they can take care of all the paperwork etc).

2. Will this "claim" make my insurance go up next year? I have over 7 years no claims (but last 2 years are with xxxxxxx).

3. If I want to pay privately, guess I shouldn't tip off xxxxxxx first, but how much does a chip repair cost? Anyone go direct and not make a claim?

4. How much would a new windscreen cost (2004 Ford Fiesta)?

Like I said, we only got back home from holiday yesterday evening, haven't unpacked yet and need to find my car insurance documents.

What unwanted stress :mad:

Any advice please ASAP?
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Nick_C

I went through a bad spell and had 3 repairs and one replacement in 3 years. It didn't seem to affect my premiums. Co-op and LV at the time

daveyjp

No effect on my wife's policy with Aviva. Its a competitive market, if it goes up shop around.

Shimrod

I had a windscreen replaced (and was rear-ended) last year and neither had any effect on my premium (with LV).
I have also paid to have a chip repaired, can't remember the exact cost but it was no more than £40

Glassman

General_query wrote:

Think I have to pay £75 excess for any windscreen claim via my insurer Privilege

Repairs (provided the damage meets the repairer's repair criteria) are usually free. Some insurers impose an excess for both repair, as well as replacement. Excluding Hastings insurance, and AFAIK, the greater (excess) amount will apply to a replacement.

General_query wrote:

1. I am best to ring Privilege and not Autoglass first (despite Autoglass advertising they can take care of all the paperwork etc).

With most claims hotline/direct number scenarios, ringing the number (usually a NG number) will take you straight through to the 'glassline' which will be the prevailing nominated repairer.

General_query wrote:

2. Will this "claim" make my insurance go up next year? I have over 7 years no claims (but last 2 years are with Privilege).

Most windscreen claims will not impact on NCD however some insurers - or their policies - do. I am seeing more and more call for any previous claims to be declared before a new policy is incepted, as this chap found out:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1527401

General_query wrote:

3. If I want to pay privately, guess I shouldn't tip off Privilege first, but how much does a chip repair cost? Anyone go direct and not make a claim?

There are cheap and there are over the odds expensive. There is no industry standard, and all repairers claim to be good, very few are. A good price average to go by is circa £45.00-60 but this would depend on your area and the repairer. If you can post up your rough location(s) I might know a reputable repairer in that/those area(s).

General_query wrote:

4. How much would a new windscreen cost (2004 Ford Fiesta)?

There are two variants for a MkV Fiesta; green tinted, or green tint PLUS heated. Again, prices will vary from area to area and size of company may also have a bearing too.

Don't panic, there's no hurry. At the very worst the damage *might* spread and the worst it will do is travel until it reaches the glass edge. There are three layers which make up your windscreen (two glass, and one PVB). Only the outer layer is damaged.

Whereabouts are you?

Some more on the subject: http://www.glasstecpaul.com/motor-insurance-windscreen-cover/

General_query

Many thanks for the detailed reply. Still can't find my insurance policy

Here's a photo from inside of the chip/crack.... hope it attaches?



I'm in the Rochdale/Oldham area.

[Deleted User]

From the size and location, it may not be possible to repair.

Glassman

Perfectly repairable and an acknowedged/experienced repairer should be able to reduce the damage down to a what looks like a watermark in the glass (it will never be invisible but a good repairer will not be far off it).

Be mindful of what adverts might say; they're not all as good as they state, or think.

The two northern-most repairers I know and trust are Dunc at Autobody Windscreens (based in Leeds) and Pete at 1st Choice Autoglazing based in Southport. Both offer a mobile service but how far they'd go is something only they can tell you.

http://windscreen-replacement-leeds.co.uk/contact-us/

http://www.1stchoiceautoglaze.co.uk/contact.php

Hintza

If it's under 10mm it is OK and not an MOT failure.

Glassman

Hintza wrote: »

If it's under 10mm it is OK and not an MOT failure.

Up to 40mm can be repaired dependent on its position and type (there are different types of damage).

What the OP has is a straight forward impact + crack which, as tricky as it is to repair, is a very good one to get near on invisible.

[Deleted User]

Glassman wrote: »

Up to 40mm can be repaired dependent on its position and type (there are different types of damage).

Position is directly in the driver's sight-line.

Over 10mm chip/crack in that position, is an MOT failure.