Windscreen replacement, autoglass glass or OEM?

[HotJambalaya]

Just come back from a few days away to find a nice 8 inch crack along my windscreen along with a small chip... Really odd, no other damage at all on the car. Its like someone hit it with a hammer

Anyway, called insurance co, straight through to autoglass. They claim to offer the exact same specification as the mercedes glass, built by the same people, and the only difference is it lacks a little mercedes logo.

Apparently if I want OEM glass, I have to call the insurance company make a request, and they can authorise it to autoglass. It would then take a couple of weeks to get into stock.

Any thoughts? Is it worth doing? or is it like tyres where it makes bugger all difference having the manufacturers logo?

I told her I dont want some cheap chinese knockoff glass, but was told its exactly the same.

Any thoughts, ideas or anything else I should know? -they knew about the rain sensor at least.

 

[FaeLLe]

Depends how old or new your car is, is it under warranty?

I read on another forum about a guy got his windshield replaced from outside and ended up loosing his warranty.

Apparently the windshield replacement was not done right and had some sort of leak which somehow damaged the electronic system and the dealership void his warranty on that.

On another note, was it worth giving up your no claims bonus and its benefits for the next few years?

 

[survey]

Yes, I think it does depends on how new your car is. Particularly if it is fitted with sensors. Wouldn't trust autoglass with that! Howver, is there not a huge penalty to pay to the insurer if one opts fo MB to supply and fit?

 

[DSM10000]

Depends how old or new your car is, is it under warranty?

I read on another forum about a guy got his windshield replaced from outside and ended up loosing his warranty.

Apparently the windshield replacement was not done right and had some sort of leak which somehow damaged the electronic system and the dealership void his warranty on that.

On another note, was it worth giving up your no claims bonus and its benefits for the next few years?

You do not lose no claims bonus for a windscreen replacement.

 

[Chrishazle]

Last year I had to have my screen replaced twice, both times by AA Windscreens via my insurers Saga. They were very careful with questions when I booked the job, so they were sure they brought the correct screen (qyestions like do you have rain sensors, auto lights, top tint etc). Superb job on both occasions. Cost me my £75 insurance glass excess both times.

 

[HotJambalaya]

It's a 10 plate car so no warranty. They did ask about rain sensors, but not about tints. I'll check...

The option wasn't to go via mb to have it fitted, if I want OEM autoglass would still be the fitter

 

[whitenemesis]

Unless you're footing the bill, your insurer will dictate the screen fitted.

I had Autoglass fit a new screen to my 203, no issues at all.

 

[Glassman]

You do not lose no claims bonus for a windscreen replacement.

Not entirely correct, I'm afraid; it depends on which insurer, or what the terms are in the policy.

 

[Glassman]

Anyway, called insurance co, straight through to autoglass. They claim to offer the exact same specification as the mercedes glass, built by the same people, and the only difference is it lacks a little mercedes logo.

Exact same specifications means just that: it's a windscreen which does the same as an authentic, genuine part; it performs in a similar way but is not the same. Their statement up 'til this point can be said of fake Rolex watches. They're worn on your wrist (just like the genuine ones) they tell the time (just like the originals do) and they look just like the original.

The 'only difference' is the stamp is total and utter poppycock.

Apparently if I want OEM glass, I have to call the insurance company make a request, and they can authorise it to autoglass. It would then take a couple of weeks to get into stock.

Unless there is a back order scenario (which usually takes about seven to 10 days on average) OE parts are usually next day. I order MB windscreens on a regular basis and it's rare to wait more than two working days, especially for later models.

No need to let them refer to your insurance; before the policy was incepted, the insurer should have, as required by ICOBS 6.1.5 which states that, "A firm must take reasonable steps to ensure a customer is given appropriate information about a policy in good time and in a comprehensible form so that the customer can make an informed decision about the arrangements proposed" made the salient points available. It is within this wording it should be made clear what your options are (if any) when it comes to replacement parts.

Any thoughts? Is it worth doing? or is it like tyres where it makes bugger all difference having the manufacturers logo?

There are quality differences between aftermarket and OE parts, no question. A lot of aftermaket brands are not OEM for many cars.

I told her I dont want some cheap chinese knockoff glass, but was told its exactly the same.

It is not the same. Refer back to your opening few lines. Are they saying all glass is exactly the same?? Total rubbish. It's not. Even the ones with or without the car manufacturer logos (but same glass manufacturer) are often not even the same country, never mind plant or production run!

Any thoughts, ideas or anything else I should know? -they knew about the rain sensor at least.

Means nothing. Don't be impressed by it; all modern MB cars have rain sensors.

 

[219]

I agree it depends on age .

With a rare , cherished or valuable classic car where authenticity is imperative , it must be OEM ; with a classic Mercedes that means Sekurit . Specialist Classic insurers will recognise this and won't quibble . I have one piece of aftermarket glass in my SL which I will get round to replacing at some point , but not the utmost priority right now .

On a modern , humdrum or everyday car , it hardly matters .

 

[oldguy57]

Another thing to bear in mind is that if you dont use the Insurers supplier the policy may limit their liability to a really paltry sum!

 

[Lenny63]

a lot of MB dealers contract the work out to likes of AG
I asked for a OEM screen on my C43 and insurance company authorised it

 

[Bonecho]

Autoglass appeared on BBC's Watchdog a few weeks ago. AVOID if you can.

 

[carltonfc]

I needed a new screen for an LS430 once...autoglass fitted under the insurance cover...first time it rained, the wipers never came on...then they came on constantly...got them back and they did something to the gel?....still didn't work, so they fitted another screen....that didn't work so they said it was a sensor fault...went to a Lexus dealer who swapped the sensor from a stock car, still didn't work...back to autoglass who fitted another another screen, that didn't work either.....

They finally fitted a proper Lexus screen and everything worked fine....and that's what Lexus said from the beginning to be fair....lots and lots of wasted time and effort to save a few quid....

 

[flowrider]

Since owning my ML350 i have had 2 windscreens, both Pilkington and fitted by Autoglass with no problems at all. All sensors/cameras work just as they did before.

Prior to the ML350 i owned a ML320, Autoglass also fitted a Pilkington windscreen to that vehicle with no issues.

 

[Bonecho]

Autoglass® News - In response to BBC Watchdog program

 

[triple h]

Last year I had to have my screen replaced twice, both times by AA Windscreens.

i wouldn't trust the AA to change or repair my windscreen because i had a chipped screen (in the drivers side wiper sweep) about 4 years ago, phoned the insurance to get it repaired.

they sent an AA windscreen fitter who repaired the chip, later took the car for an MOT and the garage told me the screen should have been replaced not repaired

 

[dan1502]

I have some experience with this. I had a chip repaired on the SL60, was warned the screen might crack due to the heat and it did. I asked the fitter about a genuine screen and he said I could ask the insurance company to authorise it but might have to pay the difference. I checked the local MB dealer and they had one in stock and the price was a lot less than I expected.

Apparently in terms of aftermarket screens there are budget screens and quality screens made by the like of Pilkington. It was the latter I was offered but I insisted on a genuine part, offering to pay the difference.

Now here's the thing. The so called difference was about 50% more than the total cost of the genuine screen. After lots of phone calls to various managers I did eventually get an explanation of why that was the case. Basically they price the jobs up completely differently, not just the screen cost (it's far more complicated than that and makes no real sense).

Anyway having taken advice from the insurance ombudsman helpline I contacted my insurance company and spoke to the complaints manager. The ombudsman felt I was being very reasonable by offering to pay the difference in parts cost (and having confirmed with the fitters that it made no odds to them if the part came from the MB dealer). Shortly after I received a call to say that on this occasion I could have a genuine screen and I didn't have to pay the difference.

 

[HotJambalaya]

Thanks, seems I have more opportunity to get OEM, autoglass failed to turn up, and sent me an email saying I've been rescheduled to 30th of July....!

Not amused!

Their official line is that its exactly the same windscreen from the same factory, just without the mb stamp on it. Have looked all over my windscreen and can't say I can even see a MB stamp anywhere...

 

[oldguy57]

Under insurance contract law Insurers are bound to put you in the same position as you were prior to the damage. If you had an oem MB screen damaged they are contract bound to replace like for like. It does not matter whether their suppliers cannot supply a particular MB screen it does not alter the contract. Having worked in the insurance environment for decades I saw numerous attempts by Insurers to fob people off with their own suppliers. If they attempted to make you have pattern body panels or parts would this be acceptable ? Why should screens be different? My advice would be not to be fobbed off and insist on your rights under the contract. There should be no question of having to pay any difference in cost.