Windscreen Replacement - Claim?

anotheruser

It's actually a rear screen but I guess the same sort of applies.

I know nearly every insurer will replace them for free and it won't affect the no claims discount, but then surely you have to list it as a claim, which will then push the price up on next renewal?

Reason I ask is that my new used car has a large scratch on the back window - something obviously got caught in the wiper blade and scratched a lovely semi-circle in the back glass. While I can't afford to get it fixed, if I can for free then I might as well get it done.

mcjordi

youll have an excess to pay..so it wont be "free" and yep you need to list it on your claims history theres and option for glass claims.

takman

anotheruser wrote: »

It's actually a rear screen but I guess the same sort of applies.

I know nearly every insurer will replace them for free and it won't affect the no claims discount, but then surely you have to list it as a claim, which will then push the price up on next renewal?

Reason I ask is that my new used car has a large scratch on the back window - something obviously got caught in the wiper blade and scratched a lovely semi-circle in the back glass. While I can't afford to get it fixed, if I can for free then I might as well get it done.

If you can't afford to replace the rear screen then you can't afford to own a car, I dread to think how neglected the car is if you can't even afford that!. What would you do of you needed new tyres?

straighttalker

Tried polishing it with jeweller's rouge?

foxy-stoat

I had 3 windscreen claims in the last few years and I paid the £10 for my Data Subject Access Request from Motor Insurers' Bureau and none of these claims were listed.

I took out a new policy 6 months again and they did not ask about windscreen claims - I couldnt remember the dates even if they had asked me. On the price comparason web sites there are options for windscreen claims though so you should be as truthful as you can be.

Try running the quotes with and without the claims to see if it makes a difference.

You will have to pay an excess so it wont be free, I would try buying a screen of the ebay or a breakers and paying a windscreen company to fit it, if you know the fitters they will do it for cash and it will work out cheaper than the excess.

Quentin

You will have been asked to disclose " claims"

Which you should have done for your windscreen claims

Robisere

Jewellers Rouge may be OK, but a cheaper alternative is T-Cut. Try a very small area near the bottom first. Clean off with washing up liquid or similar, then plain water. Let it dry and check. If there is a noticeable improvement, do the rest. But be warned: you will need plenty of "elbow grease"! if it doesn't work, see other advice here re: insurance.

Old mechanic's trick.
Well, I am an old mechanic!

anotheruser

takman wrote: »

If you can't afford to replace the rear screen then you can't afford to own a car, I dread to think how neglected the car is if you can't even afford that!. What would you do of you needed new tyres?

Sorry, I should have been more specific...

I can't afford to replace the screen at the moment because I've just bought a house. Perhaps in the future yes. That has nothing to do with the condition of the car.
Your comment appears to suggest the cost of a rear screen is fairly cheap, like a bulb - which many people seem to struggle to replace too!

foxy-stoat wrote: »

You will have to pay an excess so it wont be free, I would try buying a screen of the ebay or a breakers and paying a windscreen company to fit it, if you know the fitters they will do it for cash and it will work out cheaper than the excess.

Thanks. I think this is the answer.
I saw one on ebay for £99. Not sure on a fitting but will have a look at some local garages. Not sure if they'd take it on but I'll ask them to quote up the whole lot too.

takman

anotheruser wrote: »

Sorry, I should have been more specific...

I can't afford to replace the screen at the moment because I've just bought a house. Perhaps in the future yes. That has nothing to do with the condition of the car.
Your comment appears to suggest the cost of a rear screen is fairly cheap, like a bulb - which many people seem to struggle to replace too!




Thanks. I think this is the answer.
I saw one on ebay for £99. Not sure on a fitting but will have a look at some local garages. Not sure if they'd take it on but I'll ask them to quote up the whole lot too.

It cost me £145 to replace the front windscreen in my car and that was brand new and wasn't the cheapest one you can get because it was tinted along the top. They also came and did it at my workplace.

So it's not exactly a large expense and everyone should have at least some money put aside for car repairs!. But if I were you I would be more worried that I have just bought a house and have no emergency fund saved up. With no emergency fund a sudden expense may result in you starting a cycle of borrowing money and not affording to pay it all back. That's how a lot of people get into serious money trouble.

I may sound harsh but people who can't afford to keep a car in a good condition is definitely a pet hate for me, especially if it's something as small as changing a bulb.

Clive_Woody

anotheruser wrote: »

Thanks. I think this is the answer.
I saw one on ebay for £99. Not sure on a fitting but will have a look at some local garages. Not sure if they'd take it on but I'll ask them to quote up the whole lot too.

From my (limited) experience the excess for windscreen replacement is considerably less than the main policy excess. Have you checked your policy documents to see how much this would cost you?

FreddieFrugal

£10 for autoglass - £75 for windscreen replacement

Standard sort of excess I've had on insurance policies.

I put that I'd had a windscreen claim in the past couple of years when getting quotes for this year and that made no difference to the premium at all.