Chipped Windscreen

Chipped screen, so thought I'd be good and head of to insurer's recommended repair company Autoglass - waste of time!

Seems like they just want to replace the whole screen (probably a common story). They will not repair any chip/crack which is (or they think is) a possible MOT failure: Windscreen safety & repair | AA

Immediately In front of the driver (The 'A-zone' – a 290mm wide band centered on the steering column and bounded top and bottom by the wiper swept area) – damage larger than 10mm across will normally result in a failure.
Elsewhere on the windscreen – damage larger than 40mm across will normally result in failure.

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I called AutoGlass out to review a 15mm crack in area B, no problem they say. Until they spot one beneath the wiper area in zone A - this I believe is NOT an MOT failure as it's below the wiper area!

I was informed that it was illegal to repair this! You're joking right...'illegal'!!!

So why would I not want AutoGlass to simply replace the screen...

1. It's not OEM!
2. Who knows what the quality of refit will be like?
3. Who knows the quality of screen?
4. Will it be tinted to the same level?
5. Heated? - and working?
6. Wind noise?
7. I lose my Windscreen excess
8. I have to declare I've made a claim to all prospective insurers

The list goes on..

All I want is for the crack to be secured against further growth.

Anyone used these guys? Windscreen Repair Not Replacement - Glass Doctors UK | The Windscreen Repair Experts

Lea

ive just had my windscreen replaced by "national windscreens" because of a crack, and the crack was bad it was growing about 10mm per mile.

i used them because of recommendations of people on here.

they where friendly, quick, and most of all the previous company that replaced the screen didnt seal it propaly and it leaked in the top corner. they replaced it and its been pi**ing down all day today and its bone dry inside, because they knew about the discoverys commom thing of leaking so no more drips on my lap when its raining

they do chip repair, replacments etc, also they was the cheapest place to qoute me so might be worth giving them a call

If the damage is within a set distance from the edge of the window they will not repair it.

The window excess doesn't affect your no claims.

Thanks James, will certainly bear them in mind I also repaired my leak which was quite bad at times,especially under heavy rain...I used black drain pipe sealant around both outside top corners just above the A pillars. I reckon for me that's where the leak came from, been lovely and dry since...(I know I shouldn't have said this...you know what's coming now!)

If the damage is within a set distance from the edge of the window they will not repair it.

The window excess doesn't affect your no claims.

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Any ideas on how close to the edge?

Correct, it doesn't effect my no claims, however it IS a claim and therefore must be declared upon renewal...that's the rub! You will be penalised for making a claim :-(

Check first but most arnt bothered about glass as its a seperate insurance.

Offering glass repair is just a way of getting business and they will always try the upsell to replace windscreen as bigger profit.

I have a mate who used to be a manager for them.

Auto glass are ****
My mum and dad have had a couple of cars each of late and have all ways had chips done no matter how small and they started using auto glass but they had the same problem with them
They now just pop down the local sainsburys car park and there's normally a windscreen bloke there who does it

If the chip isn't repaired almost immediately, the chip will be visible even after repair.

This was a fact that Autoglass failed to tell me, after the repair I drove straight to National Windscreens and had a new one fitted.

RAC , Autoglass etc are a complete rip off

Had a big crack develop on my Focus , I thought I had windscreen cover but didn't spot the small print :-(

Phoned the big nationals quoted £350 - £450 F**K that I said.

Had it fitted at work by a local firm for £145 , was told it was same screen from the same factory.

When i get a chip in the screen like i did the other week,I will Never call a windscreen company as they like to charge our insurance company mega pounds........I always look in my area for those guys who hang out in the shopping areas.I just go up and ask if they will repair my chip for £20,Nearly always says yea ok mate.Also had my Transit repaired and our Honda Jazz same way.I mean why bother involving your insurance company for a £20 chip in your screen ???????????????????????????????????..NO wonder or bleeding insurances are so high.

Yup, why bother involving your insurance company why bother at all.
Last year I had my first advisory: Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A'.. come-on it's been there for 11 years.