Car Windscreen Crack Repair

PierremontQuaker03

Hi,
I had a Frank Spencer moment today, locked my keys in the boot, managed to get in the car, anyway to cut a long story short I banged my head against the rear view mirror when climbing thru to the back seat and this cracked the front windscreen. Not sure what the best thing to do, whether it is repairable or not - I am fully comp - but you get lots of conflicting advice saying about ringing the repairers first before the insurance company - I dont mind paying for the repair, but if its a small excess then I dont mind doing it that way as long as I dont lose my no claims bonus.
Anyone had any experience of this and what to do?
Thanks

torbrex

How long is the crack?
Any more than a couple of inches and it's not worth the money to repair as they charge by the inch and do not guarantee it the same way they would a chip.

PierremontQuaker03

it probably 2 inches in length roughly, will measure it in the morning - the more I think about it I think I will go thru my insurance if it doesnt affect my excess - just reading thru my Aviva policy I have to use an approved company otherwise I will have to pay more

ChumLee

PierremontQuaker03 wrote: »

it probably 2 inches in length roughly, will measure it in the morning - the more I think about it I think I will go thru my insurance if it doesnt affect my excess - just reading thru my Aviva policy I have to use an approved company otherwise I will have to pay more

I'd be surprised if there isn't an excess. But then how much will it cost if the police stop you? Then you'd still have to sort it.

torbrex

If the crack is where the mirror was mounted then it will be within a couple of inches of the edge of the screen, I personally as a former repair guy would not touch it as it would be throwing good money away.

Go for a new screen and pay the excess.

PierremontQuaker03

The Excess is £75 for a new screen - so not too bad.

davemorton

Could someone correct me if I am wrong please, but you will have to inform future insurers that you have had a claim, even if it does not affect your no claims. It could affect next years insurance prices. So so you are aware.

Paradigm

A cracked windscreen can be repaired?? That's news to me, I thought only smallish chips could be fixed.

Joe_Horner

ChumLee wrote: »

[...] how much will it cost if the police stop you?

Nothing if it's outside the swept area of the wipers - which is quite likely if it's where the mirror mounts.

Paradigm wrote: »

A cracked windscreen can be repaired?? That's news to me, I thought only smallish chips could be fixed.

They can (attempt to) repair most damage, but the bigger the damage the less likely it is to be successful.

It's worth noting that there's also no limit to the size of repair allowed for MOT provided the repair is flush with the glass and doesn't affect vision. The 10mm / 40mm limits only apply to unrepaired damage and "bad" repairs.

colino

Because of where it has begun, it is going to get bigger as you drive over rough roads, or even just being cycled through a hot day followed by a cold, rainy one. It was probably pre-stressed with the rear view mirror fitting and your knock has seen it off.
Check your insurance docs to see how much the new windscreen will cost you in excess, but you do need one.

Hintza

Have a chat with an independent repair company you might just get luky and the price might make it worth doing (paying) yourself.