Replacing windscreen

d0nkeyk0ng

I've noticed a crack in my windscreen. I don't know how long it's been there. It's very low down (just above the black dots at the bottom on the windscreen) and didn't look like a crack from the outside. There's a stone chip in the corner with a line running across that looks more like a scratch or mark than a "proper" crack. I can't see it from my driving position.

Insurance has just been renewed and I'm weighing up between going through insurance and paying a windscreen company directly. I've had three incidents over the last five years so I'm concerned about impact on premiums.

2013 - ended up being 50:50
2014 - driver admitted liability
2016 - non-fault

I have 10 yrs NCB protected. Excess for glass is £70 and must be done through autoglass IIRC. New windscreen according to autoglass quote is £300. The car has a rain and light sensor and I've read reports that if the windscreen hasn't been fitted properly, then the sensors don't work or go haywire.

Should I go through insurance and not worry about the premium rise? Should I pay directly (I have the funds)?

EdGasketTheSecond

Just get it done on the insurance; that's why you've got it. Windscreen claims are not supposed to affect NCB or premiums.

marlot

If autoglass are quoting £300, a local independent may well only be £150. Worth a few phone calls, I'd have thought.

takman

marlot wrote: »

If autoglass are quoting £300, a local independent may well only be £150. Worth a few phone calls, I'd have thought.

I would suggest this too.

On a previous car which had a rain sensor and tinted strip on the top the windscreen i got a quote from Autoglass and they wanted over £600 for the windscreen and fitting!. I then called a local windscreen fitter and they did it for £145!.

waamo

My insurance don't class windscreens as a claim. Check with yours there are many that don't.

deaston

I've had two new windscreens in three weeks, both on insurance.

Not affected NCB and no questions asked. Just £75 each time.

waamo

deaston wrote: »

I've had two new windscreens in three weeks, both on insurance.

Not affected NCB and no questions asked. Just £75 each time.

Mine was similar. On the way to view a car the windscreen suffered a stone chip so had to be replaced before trading in.

On picking up the new car I had an enthusiastic test of it resulting in a stone chip.

I must admit I half expected a bill the second time but fair play to the insurance company they didn't bat an eye lid.

neilmcl

waamo wrote: »

My insurance don't class windscreens as a claim. Check with yours there are many that don't.

What insurer are you with?

waamo

neilmcl wrote: »

What insurer are you with?

Axa. Not through a comparison site though. Don't know if that makes a difference.

loskie

What Marlot said indie window company NOT autoglass

Glassman

waamo wrote: »

Axa. Not through a comparison site though. Don't know if that makes a difference.

AXA ins WILL impact your NCB after making a windscreen claim.

I would also be very interested to speak to anybody claiming there will be no rise in premium after a windscreen claim.