Oh no!!! Windscreen chipped...

[Snowfox]

Hi guys. I knew the alloys are as soft as butter, so being careful there, but now my windscreen got hit by a very small stone from nowhere in 40mph traffic (damn roadworks!!!) and it made 4 micro holes on it. Fortunately, no crack. They are really small surface holes but for me and being a brand new car they are truly intolerable!!!
I have heard of Autoglass (catchy jingle) and really know no more or better. Don't really trust their statement on not hurting my insurance.
Any experiences, suggestions, etc? Cheers!

[caprinolaw]

put a brick through your own window - pay your £XX excess and get a new windscreen? ...insurance unaffected.

[trix]

I had autoglass fill chips in my windscreen once or twice on my last car, very easy to deal with & it was free as I had comprehensive insurance. a few guys I work with have had a company come to work to do theirs, unfortunately don't know the companies name

S

[SeventySix]

Hey snowfox

I got a windscreen chip first weekend out, so know how you feel. Fortunately for me, the chip is not really in view from the driver's (or passenger's) side so I end up forgetting about it.

I popped up to my Autoglass centre in Coventry and had a chat with the manager who was very helpful. They couldn't offer a repair (which is free with most insurance policies) because the chip was too small and there's no additional cracks.

He said they could replace it (costs £50 with most insurance policies) but he strongly recommended I didn't as - in his words - a replacement windscreen will never be as good as OEM. Sounds obvious, I know but still good to hear from someone who's is in the business of selling replacements.

Of course, it might be different for you as the holes may be in your line of vision. If you do decide on a replacement, I've had a couple of replacement screens from Autoglass over the years and found them very helpful and efficient and my no claims has never been affected. If you're unsure about this, just check with your insurance provider - they'll confirm it's kosher.

[Andy-GTI]

in his words - a replacement windscreen will never be as good as OEM. Sounds obvious, I know but still good to hear from someone who's is in the business of selling replacements.

He certainly wouldn;t get the job of replacing a screen on any f my cars then if he won't stand by is work!!!

A replcement screen is every bit as good as factory, the screens come from the same place!

If you get a good fitter, you'll get a factory job. FACT.

[SeventySix]

put a brick through your own window - pay your £XX excess and get a new windscreen? ...insurance unaffected.

Yeah, you don't actually need to do this to get an excess-only replacement.

[Snowfox]

Of course, it might be different for you as the holes may be in your line of vision. If you do decide on a replacement, I've had a couple of replacement screens from Autoglass over the years and found them very helpful and efficient and my no claims has never been affected. If you're unsure about this, just check with your insurance provider - they'll confirm it's kosher.

The chips are sort of on the middle, so not in my line of vision. Yeah, I think I will try ringing my insurance as they refer to Autoglass repair and a particular number. If it is the same case, as it sounds like it, I will most likely leave it too.

[mode]

We took the works VW transporter van to Autoglass and the new windscreen was a genuine one, I would say the only worry is how good the fitter is at fitting a new one without doing any damge to paintwork etc.

[Simon_T]

I know most of you have new rocs and that the others arent due an mot just yet.
But i had an experience where i had a bigish stone chip and went to one of these autoglass representatives on sainsburys car park.
The guy said no mate cant do it its too big you need a new windscreen,,,EYE EYE i thought he is after the sale and just telling me i need a new windscreen to which i thought i will go away and get a second oppinion to which i did.
Another guy an independant on morrisons car park this time so i approached him and he said what i suspected of the autoglass guy he was just after a sale of a new windscreen which would cost me my excess.
So i had this independant guy work his magic with his resins and suction cups ect and he informed me you have to get them done virtually right away otherwise any minute dirt may affect the end result.
I must say he did a grand job but you could just about see it slightly, off i went happy as Larry it cost me £38 to which i could claim it back of my insurance he said.....Yes Yes he was right i claimed it back got my cheque and all was well.
So i thought untill i took my Golf for its M.O.T guess what?.
Yes your right it failed on the windscreen being something like 40mm or something like that within the drivers view arc so the guy told me.
I ended up having a new windscreen fitted by autoglass costing me my excess and bother although it passed its M.O.T
The other downside was they had fitted a clear screen as opposed to a tinted one that was standard on the car at the time of purchase.
Still it was fixed i suppose and well it will be on its way to a new owner once i get my ROC......Happy days