Chipped windscreen - DIY or pro?

[I like Skol]

(Please don't anyone suggest Autoglass, I've had a very bad experience with them.)

My insurer's preferred repairer is Autoglass, a company I won't deal with after they botched a windscreen replacement causing just under £1300 of damage, then refused to pay out.
GC

Similar experience with Autoglass I'm afraid. I think they are the Halfords of the windscreen world with poorly trained, poorly paid staff that don't give a stuff (obviously there will be exceptions but like Halfords you have to be lucky to get a good'un).
I had a brand new Mercedes van that I was unlucky enough to need a new windscreen in within a couple of months of it being registered. Before the vehicle was 2yrs old rust bubbles started appearing around the windscreen edge from under the screen trimmer seal. I went back to AG but their response was 'they all do that, Sprinters are renowned for it'. So I walked him around the car park of the industrial estate we were on and we looked at over a dozen Sprinter vans, some 2 or 3 times older than mine and not one was rusty around the screen. So began a 6 month battle to get the problem sorted. While battling to get them to accept responsibility I insisted they took the screen out to show me how the rust had just started on it's own and when the glass was out of the way the truth was revealed. All around the screen opening was deeply scored with knife cuts from when they had cut out the original screen and the rust was spreading from this damage. What was seen on the outside was just the tip of the iceberg . I eventually got my wish to have the paintwork problem resolved by a third party paint shop that came very highly recommended and did not use the their preferred repairer, all at AG's expense.

To add insult to injury, part of the deal was that AG would refit the screen at the bodyshops premises rather than pay that element of the bill. The screen started leaking within a few months and came unbonded all along the bottom edge (the 'glue' came away from the glass leaving the sealant firmly stuck to the repainted surround ). While they were rectifying this they managed to bump my van and tried to cover it up!

Absolute sharks and cowboys, I can understand GlasgowCyclist's reluctance to use them!

 

[luckyfox]

The minty freshness is just going from my chewy, that could hold it for today.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Is it not free on your insurance to get it fixed professionally and it doesn't affect your no claims?

There's no such thing as 'free' with insurance companies.

GC

 

[glasgowcyclist]

OP, try and find a company locally that repairs only, I supply people in a lot of places with tools, consumables and training, unfortunately the closest to you is Elgin I think.

Elgin's a good 5 -hour drive away unfortunately. I take it you don't recommend the DIY option?

GC

 

[Roadrider48]

This isn't worth further discussion.
It's just a windscreen.
Many people have these repairs everyday and then they move on with their lives.

 

[I like Skol]

This isn't worth further discussion.
It's just a windscreen.
Many people have these repairs everyday and then they move on with their lives.

That's a helpful post Roadrider! The OP has a good reason not to suffer at the hands of AG or give them any further business on his account. I fully sympathise with GC so a useful reply might be a recommendation for an alternative provider or advice on the DIY option (which personally I would wait and see if the screen cracks rather than try a botched DIY job!).

 

[Roadrider48]

That's a helpful post Roadrider! The OP has a good reason not to suffer at the hands of AG or give them any further business on his account. I fully sympathise with GC so a useful reply might be a recommendation for an alternative provider or advice on the DIY option (which personally I would wait and see if the screen cracks rather than try a botched DIY job!).

You're welcome. Always happy to help.

 

[welsh dragon]

That's a helpful post Roadrider! The OP has a good reason not to suffer at the hands of AG or give them any further business on his account. I fully sympathise with GC so a useful reply might be a recommendation for an alternative provider or advice on the DIY option (which personally I would wait and see if the screen cracks rather than try a botched DIY job!).

I would suggest looking in the yellow pages, or simply go on line. You'll be able to find one there, and then you can check how many complaints they have made
Against them. Then contact your insurer to find out if they will accept work done by that company. That is the bottom line, and a helpful answer.

 

[screenman]

I would rather pay the £35 most repairers would ask than risk a mark against my claims history.

I would not go DIY as they offer no dry out system, no curing system, no drilling system etc.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I would rather pay the £35 most repairers would ask than risk a mark against my claims history.

I would not go DIY as they offer no dry out system, no curing system, no drilling system etc.

Great, that's exactly my preference. Thanks for your expertise.

GC

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Your not obliged to use the company that your insurer prefers. As they said, they PREFER you to use autoglass. You can use another one, but you may have to pay them first then claim from your insurer. Give them a ring and find out.

They financially punish you if you don't use their preferred option. If I use another company for a repair my insurers will quadruple my excess, and for replacement they'll increase the excess and put a very low cap on their 'contribution'.

This isn't worth further discussion.
It's just a windscreen.
Many people have these repairs everyday and then they move on with their lives.

I was looking for helpful input on whether to go professional or DIY, I didn't ask for insurance advice.
(See above.)


GC

 

[Roadrider48]

They financially punish you if you don't use their preferred option. If I use another company for a repair my insurers will quadruple my excess, and for replacement they'll increase the excess and put a very low cap on their 'contribution'.




I was looking for helpful input on whether to go professional or DIY, I didn't ask for insurance advice.
(See above.)


GC

Just suggesting what most people do.
If you can't or don't want to do that, that's fine by me. It's your windscreen, not mine.

 

[Roadrider48]

Personally I would and have just got the job done the normal way; through the insurance!
Or maybe you are under insured, I don't know.
Good luck with that anyway.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

OP, try and find a company locally that repairs only, I supply people in a lot of places with tools, consumables and training, unfortunately the closest to you is Elgin I think.

Why repair only? because a replacement company will make between 4 and 12 times as much selling you a screen as they will repairing it.

After any repair is carried out you should see no more than what looks like a dried raindrop, any more and the job was done poorly.

Do you have any details of the guy in Elgin? I'm going to be up that way next week.

GC

 

[screenman]

His name is Zander, 07830 376818 I know he has been to me for training and during that time he was doing a good job. He owns the Revive franchise for that area also.