learn me insurance windshield claims

I have $0 glass on my e30, and it has a nice chip right in front of my nose. It appears to be the original BMW glass, which as far as I can tell is in absolutely incredible shape given it's age.

What's the best way to get new quality glass through my insurance? Should I call a glass place first, or my insurance first?

I would be all for repairing that single chip, if it will disappear... but getting the entire glass changed would be nice because it is definitely pitted from all these years.

My current glass is very very good. Along the edges the vision isn't warped at all, yet many of my friends cars with replaced glass have vision warping at the edges. I don't know if this is due to poor quality glass or just the shape of the glass itself.

Thoughts?

They usually ask if the chip/ crack is smaller than a doller so it sounds like they can just repair it. There will be some distortion where the chip is, but it will he clear, and won't spread.

The few times I've done it, I've called the Ins. And then safelite has called me to setup an appt. Ohh and $0 deductible helps too. :D

That sounds like a repair. It won't disappear, but it also won't spread. However, if you whine enough about it being in the field of vision they'll probably agree to replace it.

I go through windshields like oil filters on my Spec E30 race car. I'll buy your old one if they remove it without breakage.

Be aware that this will likely count as a claim on your comprehensive coverage and could result in future higher rates.

pigeon wrote: Be aware that this will likely count as a claim on your comprehensive coverage and could result in future higher rates.

Not if you have glass coverage specifically. I've had plenty of claims for glass and never an issue.

JThw8 wrote:

pigeon wrote: Be aware that this will likely count as a claim on your comprehensive coverage and could result in future higher rates.

Not if you have glass coverage specifically. I've had plenty of claims for glass and never an issue.

Maybe it's a state-by-state thing but I'm being dinged by my insurer for having 2 windshield claims in the last 3 years.

It depends on local laws I think, here there's no problem with the rates going up if you make a glass claim. When I've had windshields replaced I called the glass place, told them who my insurance carrier was, and they took care of it from there. It's pretty painless.

if you are worried about the quality of the replaced windsheild.. I would contact a BMW dealer for the OEM stuff.

Some glass is easily replaced. One of the Trucks I used to drive (with a 6 foot wide windshield) had the glass shatter in a windstorm. I was literally driving into a Thunderstorm and a gust of wind hit the truck hard enough to make the windshield turn into a spiderweb of cracks and glass chips.

it cost about 300 to replace it

I've bought a couple of windshields in the last few years. $179 installed, and it doesn't ding my insurance.

I have $0 deductible glass. It's my understanding that this doesn't count as a comprehensive claim and your rates don't go up, but I can't say for sure as I have never actually made an insurance claim. I pay for it separately each year.

A glass claim is a comprehensive claim, so that's how it would get paid. Even if you have a deductible, many insurance companies waive it if the glass can be repaired, which it sounds like yours can. You can call Safelite or one of the bigger companies. Most of them have working relationships with insurance companies and can bill them directly for a repair.

it varries state to state... it's covered under standard comprehensive here with 0 deductible (in FL)... used it a few times and never a ding on the insurance

afaik my State Farm comprehensive doesn't go up with a windshield claim... + they won't repair (replace only) if the defect is in the line of sight...

my berkeleyup was declining the offered replacement glass and instead taking the repair

Just call your insurance company and ask. They will have the correct answer.

Well, I got it replaced at Portland Glass. I have to be completely honest. I am not at all pleased with the replacement glass. It has the 'waves' that I was referring to. The BMW glass had zero distortion, and it had a nice gold band at the roofline. The only issue was the chip (starburst) right in front of my eyes, and the various scratches and pitting from 25 years of service. This one has that weird aqua sun line, and more waves than a surfing competition.

Not to be a stick in the mud, but if glass waves are a pet peeve of yours, and you are considering getting your OEM glass replaced at an automotive glass place, you may want to reconsider.

If I actually had to pay for the glass, I would be incredibly enraged.

Is it really that hard to manufacture decent curved glass? BMW seemed to find someone who could do it with 1985 manufacturing techniques.

Taiden wrote: Well, I got it replaced at Portland Glass. I have to be completely honest. I am not at all pleased with the replacement glass. It has the 'waves' that I was referring to. The BMW glass had zero distortion, and it had a nice gold band at the roofline. The only issue was the chip (starburst) right in front of my eyes, and the various scratches and pitting from 25 years of service. This one has that weird aqua sun line, and more waves than a surfing competition. Not to be a stick in the mud, but if glass waves are a pet peeve of yours, and you are considering getting your OEM glass replaced at an automotive glass place, you may want to reconsider. If I actually had to pay for the glass, I would be incredibly enraged. Is it really that hard to manufacture decent curved glass? BMW seemed to find someone who could do it with 1985 manufacturing techniques.

I imagine this explains the weird "fishbowl" feeling i had when looking out the windshield of a 2001 Cherokee Limited i test drove last year before buying the one i have now.

It gave me a headache.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I imagine this explains the weird "fishbowl" feeling i had when looking out the windshield of a 2001 Cherokee Limited i test drove last year before buying the one i have now. It gave me a headache.

Absolutely. It was essentially the only reason I waited 5 months to make the claim. I was afraid of the fishbowl after driving my mother's prizm which has cheap glass.

Will the glass store allow you to inspect the windscreen before it is installed? Kind of like picking the straightest 2x4 out of the bargain bin.

It may be too late, but depending on how they do it in your state you may been able to tell your insurance company you would only accept OEM glass. I did that when I had the windshield replaced in my car, and they were fine with it.

My insurer here in Fla. wouldn't pay for OEM glass on the Ridgeline because it's too old, so we paid the glass guy the difference and got a genuine Honda replacement. Not a wave in sight, and man, I had forgotten how clear glass could be.

Margie

DILYSI Dave wrote: I've bought a couple of windshields in the last few years. $179 installed, and it doesn't ding my insurance.

I had to buy a new windshield for one of our work Chevrolet Silverado Trucks due to rock damage. I called and told the windshield people I am paying cash. They cut me a smoking deal similar to this one above.

I opted to pay extra each year for $0 deductible glass.

stuart in mn wrote: It depends on local laws I think, here there's no problem with the rates going up if you make a glass claim. When I've had windshields replaced I called the glass place, told them who my insurance carrier was, and they took care of it from there. It's pretty painless.

This. I go through 1-2 windshields a year in the MINI for some reason, and they've never had an issue.

...and, some shiny happy person threw a rock through the backglass of my GCaravan while it was parked in the street. It hit the metal at the bottom of the window, too, so there's a dent AND a crack in the paint. Color me pissed off.

Safelite will have me back together by lunch on Monday, but man, it really puts guacamole in my fez.

Well, given that I live on campus, I wanted to be covered for the stray beer bottle. Knowhatimean?

And also, apparently comprehensive covers hitting animals. So I have zero theft and jacked comprehensive. Almost smacked a deer the other day too!

Sometimes living in bumberkeley egypt has it's advantages.

For example, there's a trap shooting club on campus. Nice!