Chipped Windscreen

The Mad Rapper · 30 Mar 2010 at 12:51

Guys, can any of you give me advise as to how I should proceed with a chipped windscreen? I drove to Northumberland last weekend in our new Passat and a lorry threw a stone up

It's only small, probably 3mm or so, but I understand it's important to get these things mended as soon as possible. We have fully comprehensive insurance through Privilege. I'm just not sure how to go about it. Do I call them, or call the glass repairers and provide my insurance details?

TIA.

stulid · 30 Mar 2010 at 12:58

Look around supermarket car parks.

Autoglass and others usually have a couple of vans and a gazibo setup, I went shopping, came back all done in 20mins.

SIAT · 30 Mar 2010 at 13:03

The Mad Rapper said:
Guys, can any of you give me advise as to how I should proceed with a chipped windscreen? I drove to Northumberland last weekend in our new Passat and a lorry threw a stone up

It's only small, probably 3mm or so, but I understand it's important to get these things mended as soon as possible. We have fully comprehensive insurance through Privilege. I'm just not sure how to go about it. Do I call them, or call the glass repairers and provide my insurance details?

TIA.

I'm with privilege and had my screen replaced due to a crack. I rang a number for windscreens printed in the documents with my insurance cert. Autoglass came out and did the screen. I had to pay an excess, but I doubt you will for a chip.

The Mad Rapper · 30 Mar 2010 at 13:07

stulid said:
Look around supermarket car parks.

Autoglass and others usually have a couple of vans and a gazibo setup, I went shopping, came back all done in 20mins.

Appointment booked via the AutoGlass website, they are visiting on Friday afternoon. Thanks

taximike · 30 Mar 2010 at 14:46

In my experience the repairs tend to look pretty pants. I'd rather pay £60 for a new screen most of the time. Depends where it is!

The Mad Rapper · 30 Mar 2010 at 15:42

taximike said:
In my experience the repairs tend to look pretty pants. I'd rather pay £60 for a new screen most of the time. Depends where it is!

Is that all it costs for a new screen? I would have thought they are far more expensive then that surely?

taximike · 30 Mar 2010 at 15:43

The Mad Rapper said:
Is that all it costs for a new screen? I would have thought they are far more expensive then that surely?

With fully comp that's usually what it costs.

The Mad Rapper · 30 Mar 2010 at 15:49

taximike said:
With fully comp that's usually what it costs.

Is it worth changing the screen for a 3mm chip?

Rotty · 30 Mar 2010 at 16:11

taximike said:
In my experience the repairs tend to look pretty pants. I'd rather pay £60 for a new screen most of the time. Depends where it is!

absolutely, live with the chip or pay the excess for a new screen ( £75 on mine )

The Mad Rapper · 30 Mar 2010 at 16:17

Rotty said:
absolutely, live with the chip or pay the excess for a new screen ( £75 on mine )

I can live with it, it's small and is in the center of the screen so doesn't impact upon my view. I just thought it was recommended to have chips repaired to stop them becoming worse, I didn't realise I was supposed to replace the entire screen!

neoboy · 30 Mar 2010 at 16:25

You don't have to replace the whole screen, just people usually prefer to replace the whole thing since it doesn't cost that much on the insurance. As for the chip you deffo need to get it fixed ASAP, my mate learnt the hard way. The tiny chip literally turned into a crack that spread pretty much from side to side in a second and that's was on level surface!

taximike · 30 Mar 2010 at 23:24

Yeah dry it and cover it with a waterproof plaster until you can get it fixed. Water gets in there, freezes + cracks it.

Rotty · 31 Mar 2010 at 13:08

The Mad Rapper said:
I can live with it, it's small and is in the center of the screen so doesn't impact upon my view. I just thought it was recommended to have chips repaired to stop them becoming worse, I didn't realise I was supposed to replace the entire screen!

If it doesn't get worse then fine, if it does replace screen

either is preferable to chip repairs I have seen

SamuraiTortoise · 31 Mar 2010 at 13:29

I've had two good experiences with chip repair. Both cost me nothing (£0 excess). A further average experience on my gf's car.

On my car, each time the chip was still slightly visible after repair but it was a massive improvement to the chip. Well worth the free repair.

My gf's car had quite a large chip in it, they pretty much said that any larger and it couldn't have been done. This was still visible after the repair but it was still a damn sight better than it was, it obviously won't increase/crack due to the repair and it saved her £60 windscreen replacement - or postponed the £60 payout until another time.

I guess two sides to every story, I can understand wanting a new windscreen when they only cost £60-75 on insurance but why not at least get the free chip repair and then go from there - you might be surprised and be happy with the repair/can live with it.

Chipped Windscreen

SamuraiTortoise

SamuraiTortoise