Stress Crack in Windshield

[kayakist]

Not sure how but now have a 1 foot stress crack in the lower portion of my windshield. Assume that means full replacement.


Should I report it to my insurance (Safeco) first or call around to glass shops first?


Anyone know of good glass shops in Winchester VA area or other northern VA areas?


What is a ballpark total cost for replacements?


Appreciate any insight you can provide. Happy travels!

[Rolland]

for a crack that long, your windshield needs replaced. If you have a chip or star from a rock impacting it larger than a quarter the same applies. Also, if any damage is in directly in front of the driver it's a replacement.

cost is determined by what is in the windshield for electronics, etc.

[SeaDog]

Take it where you want the total cost has no bearing on your deductible with the insurance company so in my view shopping around is a wast of time unless you are going to pay for the change out of pocket. JMHO

[Nick Danger]

The only reason to call anyone is to see when is the earliest appointment to bring it in so they can repair/replace it. That may be an experience you didn't anticipate.

Everything I try to do with/for my camper has a waiting period that is beyond comprehension to me. Your results may differ; but, I doubt it.

[theHookers]

Originally Posted by kayakist

Not sure how but now have a 1 foot stress crack in the lower portion of my windshield. Assume that means full replacement.


Should I report it to my insurance (Safeco) first or call around to glass shops first?


Anyone know of good glass shops in Winchester VA area or other northern VA areas?


What is a ballpark total cost for replacements?


Appreciate any insight you can provide. Happy travels!

Not sure about your policy, but some in many states companies offer full glass coverage which would replace your windshield with zero cost to you. If not, you would be responsible for the deductible.

When we had our Class C Ford, we did not have full glass coverage. We called around and found a few places that had the windshield available and priced well below our deductible. Fixed in a few hours.

The Ford Van windshield is pretty common. Your Class A may not and may take someone a bit to get in stock.

Check your insurance, but you can call around to glass companies in your area and see the availability. If you have a good insurance agent, they will answer these questions and give you options before initiating a claim.

[phillyg]

I just call GEICO and they do everything else. I don't care who gets the job. I suspect Safeco does the same.

[dmctlc]

One suggestion from experience both for my car and my Class A gasser a few years back request an OEM not a knockoff especially if you have electronics mounted. Sometimes insurance companies my balk at that but IMO I'd insist to assure no issues including fit issues, etc..

[D W]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Take it where you want the total cost has no bearing on your deductible with the insurance company so in my view shopping around is a wast of time unless you are going to pay for the change out of pocket. JMHO

The dirty little secret about glass companies is that they already have established prices with the insurance companies. What you see on an invoice is a retail mark-up. Behind the scenes the insurance companies are only paying a fraction of that retail mark-up. It's all pre-negotiated between the glass company and the insurance company. More often than not, if you have a deductible, the insurance company will allow the glass company to pocket the deductible aside from the actual cost of the glass replacement. If insurance companies paid full retail mark-up on glass, they would go broke.

[HelG]

I can only confirm the relationship with repair shops and insurance companies. Price a damage saying you're covered by insurance and then ask someone else and tell them that you're paying out of pocket. You may get surprised!

Don't forget, insurances are no charities. They take their wins and salaries from you.

Anyway, the price for a new aftermarket windshield depends on year and model. There's no one fits all. The more complext amenities your car/truck has like sensors and cameras looking out through the glass the more expensive the replacement will be. Can you get away with $250 for a sedan you may have to face $600 if it's a newer model luxury car. Not because of the glass but because of the calibration and adjustments they will need to do to make your drive system work.

As for the glass, there are differences too. You can get very tough glass for outdoor fun or the cheap China glass, which will break more easily than the original.

[dahagen]

Originally Posted by phillyg

I just call GEICO and they do everything else. I don't care who gets the job. I suspect Safeco does the same.

Same here. GEICO sent someone out the next day and a week later I had a new motorhome windshield.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Since you're driving a class A motorhome, I'd follow dmctlc's advice and go to the insurance company and request an OEM.

[bikendan]

Moved to the Coachmen Motorhomes sub-forum since the issue is about a front vehicle windshield, not a window.

[jonwisconsin]

My Allstate policy does not cover the first $500.