Pitted windscreen

[D2028]

I have just noticed with the lower sun in the sky that my windscreen is severely pitted all over . It is so bad that at one point I had to pull over as I could see nothing at all. The windscreen is clean but I am guessing that, as the car had a previous life in Scotland near the coast , it was essentially sand blasted.
Is this a case for a new windscreen or is there a solution?

 

[rf065]

I have just noticed with the lower sun in the sky that my windscreen is severely pitted all over . It is so bad that at one point I had to pull over as I could see nothing at all. The windscreen is clean but I am guessing that, as the car had a previous life in Scotland near the coast , it was essentially sand blasted.
Is this a case for a new windscreen or is there a solution?

Mine is like that too and I'm no where near the coast, it's all the grit on the road from ground down broken lumps from all the potholes. New screen is the only cure, but it will soon be the same.

 

[D2028]

I read somewhere that it won't qualify for a replacement windscreen on the insurance but it is obviously dangerous as it is.

 

[rf065]

I read somewhere that it won't qualify for a replacement windscreen on the insurance but it is obviously dangerous as it is.

I know what you mean. Some folk would just put a crack in it themselves, but that would be illegal?

 

[D2028]

It would indeed be illegal, plus the effect on future premiums possibly.
I would also guess this will make driving much more challenging on the darker evenings on rural roads with oncoming headlights.

 

[ALFAitalia]

If you have screen cover it does not affect your No Claims. The screen on my 209 was covered in tiny chips that made it fun to drive into a low sun.....the result of about 170,000 miles spent mostly on the motorway by the previous owner. It was like that when I bought it but I never got around to getting it replaced before I sold it.

 

[as400]

Whenever I buy a car one of the first things I do is replace the windscreen.

Used to be £50 excess, now often its £75, never been queried.

I just say there are multiple chips interfering with my vision especially at night, never a problem. So get it replaced.

 

[D2028]

I'll have to check my policy, I assume I would have to approach the insurance company first or do I just contact autoglass or similar first?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you have screen cover it does not affect your No Claims. The screen on my 209 was covered in tiny chips that made it fun to drive into a low sun.....the result of about 170,000 miles spent mostly on the motorway by the previous owner. It was like that when I bought it but I never got around to getting it replaced before I sold it.

It might not affect NCB but it might affect risk profile, it’s ultimately a claim, and someone who makes one claim is statistically more likely to make another, and so premiums may be loaded as a result.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I read somewhere that it won't qualify for a replacement windscreen on the insurance but it is obviously dangerous as it is.

If it’s dangerous, and you bought it that way, then that’s not really for the insurance to sort - you bought it that way. Just get a few quotes to have it replaced, you may be surprised.

 

[D2028]

It might not affect NCB but it might affect risk profile, it’s ultimately a claim, and someone who makes one claim is statistically more likely to make another, and so premiums may be loaded as a result.

That would be my reading of the situation

 

[D2028]

If it’s dangerous, and you bought it that way, then that’s not really for the insurance to sort - you bought it that way. Just get a few quotes to have it replaced, you may be surprised.

I will ring for a quote tomorrow however I think it'll be cost prohibitive

 

[ALFAitalia]

It might not affect NCB but it might affect risk profile, it’s ultimately a claim, and someone who makes one claim is statistically more likely to make another, and so premiums may be loaded as a result.

Maybe....but as far as I can tell it's never affected my premiums.

 

[alabbasi]

Windshields are not that expensive. The glass cover is usually $100 in the US and if you go out of pocket, it might be $250 fitted. Just replace it, it's not worth filing your insurance.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I will ring for a quote tomorrow however I think it'll be cost prohibitive

Try calling a couple of local independent glass fitters, as well as the National chains. Also ask them all for a quote using glass supplied by their audial supplier, and a quote using glass Mercedes main dealer.

On that, some people try to insist on only using Mercedes supplied glass when someone else is paying. If you’re paying yourself then get quotes for both so you can decide yourself. Both will be fine

National chains may be more keen to push you towards claiming in your insurance, whereas a local independent may be more willing to what you want, eg pay yourself, and you MB glass if you prefer.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Windshields are not that expensive. The glass cover is usually $100 in the US and if you go out of pocket, it might be $250 fitted. Just replace it, it's not worth filing your insurance.

Its usually included in car insurance in the UK.....so paying for a screen that you have insurance for seems a bit mad. Might as well get cheaper insurance that does not include screen cover.
A quick google only....but I cant find anything that says making a screen claim will affect your renewal or NCB in any way.

 

[as400]

Windshields are not that expensive. The glass cover is usually $100 in the US and if you go out of pocket, it might be $250 fitted. Just replace it, it's not worth filing your insurance.

If I went to Mercedes here in the UK and asked them to supply and fit a new windscreen to my E class I dread to think what the cost would be. Suspect £1000+

I don't bother calling my insurance company, just find out who there approved supplier is usually Autoglass or National Windscreens et al from my policy then contact the company direct.

On renewal yes the insurance company can see you made a windscreen claim, this has never affected my premium or NCB, if they charge too much at renewal I go elsewhere.

 

[D2028]

Well I just got my first quote from national windscreens, £300 all in. I'm not convinced insurance companies don't make some kind of note on your risk assessment for a windscreen replacement even if it doesn't affect the NCB. I will wait on a quote from autoglass and the decide. Just as an aside if your tint is blue the cost goes up to just shy of £400 all in.

 

[D2028]

Autoglass quoted double the price of national windscreens

 

[as400]

Autoglass quoWted double the price of national windscr

How much is your insurance excess for windscreen replacement? £75?