Autowindscreens gone into liquidation

Barrygbr · 15 Feb 2011 at 01:24

Interesting post Apopcalyptic.

I think this has been coming for a while. I phoned what I thought was my insurers but turned out to be Auto Windscreens about a month ago to book a job as my insurers - Endsleigh - would only pay the full cost less excess if I used Auto Windscreens. Sadly Auto Windscreens just didn't turn up for first appointment - no phone call or anything. Re booked for following week but they didn't turn up again. Received a call with some **** n bull tale about how they didn't know which screen was needed, made compliant to Endsliegh. Today (14-02-11) had third appointment for this morning, again didn't turn up, no phone call etc so I phoned them spoke to call centre who were supposed to get somebody to contact me as the job was scheduled. Spoke to Endsleigh to make 2nd complaint due to poor service. Endsleigh phoned back and said they had been advised that appointment was for afternoon slot. Then nothing so phoned Endsleigh back to complain for 3rd time and advised that they would need to contact Auto to find out what had happened. I then found out from the net about the administration.

I've since spoken to Endsliegh's new approved company only to be advised that I would need to re pay the excess fee or they would not be able to do the job.

I'm mad as hell. Not only have I been let down on three occasions but it looks like I'm going to have to pay the excess again!!!

Good riddance to a very poor quality company (Auto Windscreen). Wouldn't know good customer service if it smacked them on the nose!!!

Also

Endsleigh - I think you are a rubbish insurer. Your web site make customers think they are talking to you when they are not. You tie people in with third party providers or refuse to meet your obligations as an insurer. Shame on yu providing this bad bad bad bad service. Think I am going to have to go legal with this now. If it wasn't for the fact that I need an expensive windscreen replacing I would be cancelling my policy with Endsleigh - when it comes to renewing time they can forget any chance of my renewing with them!!! No way I would ever use Endsleigh for my motor insurance (and probably any other insurance) again.

Any one else on here had any problems with either of these two companies?

Scania · 15 Feb 2011 at 01:52

I thought initially "Oh great! That sodding advert won't be on the TV / Radio all the time" then realised it was the other lot.

Burnsy2023 · 15 Feb 2011 at 08:28

Barrygbr said:
Interesting post Apopcalyptic.

I think this has been coming for a while. I phoned what I thought was my insurers but turned out to be Auto Windscreens about a month ago to book a job as my insurers - Endsleigh - would only pay the full cost less excess if I used Auto Windscreens. Sadly Auto Windscreens just didn't turn up for first appointment - no phone call or anything. Re booked for following week but they didn't turn up again. Received a call with some **** n bull tale about how they didn't know which screen was needed, made compliant to Endsliegh. Today (14-02-11) had third appointment for this morning, again didn't turn up, no phone call etc so I phoned them spoke to call centre who were supposed to get somebody to contact me as the job was scheduled. Spoke to Endsleigh to make 2nd complaint due to poor service. Endsleigh phoned back and said they had been advised that appointment was for afternoon slot. Then nothing so phoned Endsleigh back to complain for 3rd time and advised that they would need to contact Auto to find out what had happened. I then found out from the net about the administration.

I've since spoken to Endsliegh's new approved company only to be advised that I would need to re pay the excess fee or they would not be able to do the job.

I'm mad as hell. Not only have I been let down on three occasions but it looks like I'm going to have to pay the excess again!!!

Good riddance to a very poor quality company (Auto Windscreen). Wouldn't know good customer service if it smacked them on the nose!!!

Also

Endsleigh - I think you are a rubbish insurer. Your web site make customers think they are talking to you when they are not. You tie people in with third party providers or refuse to meet your obligations as an insurer. Shame on yu providing this bad bad bad bad service. Think I am going to have to go legal with this now. If it wasn't for the fact that I need an expensive windscreen replacing I would be cancelling my policy with Endsleigh - when it comes to renewing time they can forget any chance of my renewing with them!!! No way I would ever use Endsleigh for my motor insurance (and probably any other insurance) again.

Any one else on here had any problems with either of these two companies?

I would refuse to pay the excess again. You have a contract with Endsleigh, not auto windscreens for which you have done your part.

norm · 15 Feb 2011 at 09:16

PardonTheWait said:
I had no idea about this until the other day when a mate of mine said they decided to try this on their work van and the windscreen exploded into a million pieces

Could you explain a little more? How does ceramic insulator have this effect?

Nearly all windscreens are laminated with plastic so they would never disintegrate.

bledd · 15 Feb 2011 at 09:47

norm said:
Could you explain a little more? How does ceramic insulator have this effect?

Nearly all windscreens are laminated with plastic so they would never disintegrate.

Look it up on youtube, hadn't heard of it before either, plenty of examples!

jas72 · 15 Feb 2011 at 09:59

Barrygbr said:
Interesting post Apopcalyptic.

I think this has been coming for a while. I phoned what I thought was my insurers but turned out to be Auto Windscreens about a month ago to book a job as my insurers - Endsleigh - would only pay the full cost less excess if I used Auto Windscreens. Sadly Auto Windscreens just didn't turn up for first appointment - no phone call or anything. Re booked for following week but they didn't turn up again. Received a call with some **** n bull tale about how they didn't know which screen was needed, made compliant to Endsliegh. Today (14-02-11) had third appointment for this morning, again didn't turn up, no phone call etc so I phoned them spoke to call centre who were supposed to get somebody to contact me as the job was scheduled. Spoke to Endsleigh to make 2nd complaint due to poor service. Endsleigh phoned back and said they had been advised that appointment was for afternoon slot. Then nothing so phoned Endsleigh back to complain for 3rd time and advised that they would need to contact Auto to find out what had happened. I then found out from the net about the administration.

I've since spoken to Endsliegh's new approved company only to be advised that I would need to re pay the excess fee or they would not be able to do the job.

I'm mad as hell. Not only have I been let down on three occasions but it looks like I'm going to have to pay the excess again!!!

Good riddance to a very poor quality company (Auto Windscreen). Wouldn't know good customer service if it smacked them on the nose!!!

Also

Endsleigh - I think you are a rubbish insurer. Your web site make customers think they are talking to you when they are not. You tie people in with third party providers or refuse to meet your obligations as an insurer. Shame on yu providing this bad bad bad bad service. Think I am going to have to go legal with this now. If it wasn't for the fact that I need an expensive windscreen replacing I would be cancelling my policy with Endsleigh - when it comes to renewing time they can forget any chance of my renewing with them!!! No way I would ever use Endsleigh for my motor insurance (and probably any other insurance) again.

Any one else on here had any problems with either of these two companies?

I would still cancel my policy and still request them to honour the outstanding insurance claims.

It is not because you have terminated your policy that outstanding claims are also terminated.

Only problem I ever had was with Admiral who renewed my policy without me asking (contract didn't state anywhere it would be renewed) however they stated they'd renewed by letter (which I never received) so I asked for proof of delivery of this letter which of course they sent by standard post. They then said I'd have to pay 10 quid cancellation charge. I told them I'd see them in court. Still waiting for the summons CCJ

Gelly54 · 15 Feb 2011 at 10:25

It's sad to.see this, my friend works for them

Grimley · 15 Feb 2011 at 17:13

PardonTheWait said:
I had no idea about this until the other day when a mate of mine said they decided to try this on their work van and the windscreen exploded into a million pieces

An old trick for car thieves/carjackers have used for donkeys years.

I'll bet the Autoglass bosses must be rubbing their hands together anticipating the monopoly on the market they may end up getting...

roddypoddy · 15 Feb 2011 at 17:21

Gelly54 said:
It's sad to.see this, my friend works for them

Same here,a lad i used to work with,in a different industry btw,told me on Sunday that his job was looking very dodgy at autowindscreens,and he was expecting to made redundant at any moment,sad indeed.

Apopcalyptic · 15 Feb 2011 at 17:33

Grimley said:
I'll bet the Autoglass bosses must be rubbing their hands together anticipating the monopoly on the market they may end up getting...

In fairness, Autoglass have had the largest share of the market for years, after all their parent company is the largest dealer of windscreens in the world. Competition however is good, National Windscreens are likely to take the second position now, if only because they are much cheaper than Autoglass. The AA also recently founded a windscreen division, who's prospects are looking good. That's before you even take into account the dozens of independents out there.

Competition is good for any sector, and this will be an interesting shakeup. There's plenty of room for some of the smaller firms to grow significantly from this. I'll be watching the developments closely over the coming days.