Cracked windscreen - complicated case, help!

[markjay]

My windscreen was repaired (though not replaced) FOC through my full-comp car insurance. The guy from the glass company said there was a lifetime warranty on the repair, i.e. if the windscreen cracks at the point where the old chip was, I will get a new windscreen FOC regardless of my car insurance etc. Hope this helps.

PS - he did not specify what happens if the car changes ownership, which it did BTW....

And yes, it was Autoglass....

 

[nick mercedes]

What shall I do? If they play hard, could I take them to a small claims court? Shoddy workmanship, is shoddy workmanship, and I don't see why I should have to fork out for a new windscreen when the cause of the current fault is down to the installation/installer and not me.

Please help?

Thanks in advance.

PS - My insurance does not cover for windscreen damage.

Buy a new windscreen, there's nothing else you can do.

 

[JonnyCJ]

I'm guessing..

It's going to cost him the full cost as he doesn't have windscreen cover.

My £5 says she/he has windscreen cover as standard.

 

[V8mate]

..he could be a she !

Gina ?!

My £5 says she/he has windscreen cover as standard.

Yep - can't remember even being able to exclude it when doing online quotes

 

[Dragon]

I was told autoglass windscreens have 3 years warranty. No harm asking but you need a receipt, so you need to go back to your seller.

 

[nick mercedes]

I was told autoglass windscreens have 3 years warranty. No harm asking but you need a receipt, so you need to go back to your seller.

Warrenties are almost always non-transferable.

 

[stevesey]

Yep - can't remember even being able to exclude it when doing online quotes

Just checked - no windscreen cover on our 95 Astra - third party only. OP could be in the same boat.

 

[jaymanek]

if you have comprehensive insurance you have windscreen cover... if TPFT then its an option..

 

[nullogik]

Thanks to all who replied, sorry for the delay on getting back but I was away from my computer during the weekend.

I'll check my insurance policy tonight, but I don't feel comfortable claiming after all I've only had the policy for three weeks and they're probably going to think that something is a little dodgy - I would think that anyway if I were the insurance company.

I'm in the process of getting proof of fitting and will give it a go with the windscreen company. I suppose there is no harm in trying for a new windscreen, they can only say "no". Otherwise I might push for a discount...after all it is their fault.

 

[davidjpowell]

If you have a receipt they may not ask your name?

David

 

[Smatt]

Sorry to scaremonger, but sometimes, spontaneously cracking screens(particularly recurrent cracks) can be a sign that there has been a previous accident or repair which is causing uneven stress on the screen, causing it to fail. I would suggest checking carefully all the panel alignments & under seals for evidence of this, just in case.
Matt

 

[BTB 500]

Otherwise I might push for a discount...after all it is their fault.

Is it?

I had a large stress crack suddenly appear in the (original) windscreen of one of my cars after about 2 years. It happens.

 

[nullogik]

Sorry to scaremonger, but sometimes, spontaneously cracking screens(particularly recurrent cracks) can be a sign that there has been a previous accident or repair which is causing uneven stress on the screen, causing it to fail. I would suggest checking carefully all the panel alignments & under seals for evidence of this, just in case.
Matt

I've had a look around the engine bay, under the car and various joints/nooks & crannies and the car is bodily perfect - I doubt its been in any accident. Still thanks for mentioning that is something I hadn't thought about.

As for whether its their fault, I suppose I'll find out when they inspect it.

If there isn't any accident damage, what else could cause a crack to spontaneously form? I haven't taken it off road and nor have I kerbed the car or anything that would "shock" the structure of the car.

 

[Shude]

I'll check my insurance policy tonight, but I don't feel comfortable claiming after all I've only had the policy for three weeks and they're probably going to think that something is a little dodgy - I would think that anyway if I were the insurance company.

I'd not worry about it, after all they have taken your money for those three weeks in good faith, they should expect that you could have to make a claim. One issue for you though is that you might not be able to cancel your insurance later this year and expect all of your premium back.

 

[nullogik]

Window bed/lip rust

Update:

Some bad news with regards to window bed rust, I've started a new thread in the bodywork section and would really appreciate any help and advice that can be offered.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=55110

 

[glojo]

Update:

Some bad news with regards to window bed rust, I've started a new thread in the bodywork section and would really appreciate any help and advice that can be offered.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=55110

Hi,
Don't leave us all in suspenders

Did they fit the new windscreen for free?

John

 

[nullogik]

Sorry, yes they did fit the new windscreen free. Solved one problem, replaced it with another...

 

[Dieselman]

Did you have insurance cover for windscreens.?

 

[Corrado]

Sorry, yes they did fit the new windscreen free. Solved one problem, replaced it with another...

Nullogik, good result (on the windscreen, at least). Could you fill us in with a little more on how you tackled this with autoglass; e.g. did they inspect it and put their hand up admitting a poor job, or did you have to get more persuasive?
Sounds like they deserve a :bannana: .

 

[nullogik]

The guy came out and inspected it and was happy to do it under the guarantee - he was quite forthcoming, there was no need to "lean" on him at all.

Really it couldn't have been any easier to do.

One up for RAC Auto Windscreens