Cracked Windshield Replacement :(

[GlockSpock]

I awoke today to find that a branch had fallen on my 4Runner and cracked the windshield pretty well. It's beyond repair in my opinion, I'll just have to replace it.

My comprehensive deductible is $1,000, I'm assuming that's what it would fall under. I have found that I can go through Safelite and get OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent) for $179.99 installed. That sounds attractive because it is affordable. Through Safelite, OEM is $620.00 more.

It's a 2007 with 123k miles on it. I don't exactly want to spend nearly $1,000 to get the windshield replaced, but theoretically the OEM may be a better product? I've never dealt with this before, who's been here and what should I do?

I will be contacting Nationwide just to see what they say. I haven't had a claim in the seven years I've been with them.

[Ronald_55]

My policy covers repair at $0 and replacement at $100. I have had Safelite put in what I was told was oem under that twice over the years. I have Nationwide. 

[GlockSpock]

3 minutes ago, Ronald_55 said:

My policy covers repair at $0 and replacement at $100. I have had Safelite put in what I was told was oem under that twice over the years. I have Nationwide. 

Well, that would be nice. In an effort to be economical, I pretty well "gutted" my various insurance coverage in order to get the monthly premium lower. I have saved money for seven years, but it may catch up now.

I did just find this tidbit on my online account:

Cracked windshields are covered under your Comprehensive coverage, which has a $1,000 deductible. Often, windshields can be repaired at no cost to you, but replacing a windshield is subject to your deductible (which may be more than the cost of replacement).

[GlockSpock]

Well, potential good news. I double checked. Collision and comprehensive are at $1,000 on my Wife's car. Somehow, my 4Runner is at $500 each. In that case, I may very well just file a claim, pay the deductible, and go the OEM route. Unless someone can convince me that $300.00 saved is worth the OEE glass. However, I've read some lame stories regarding the cheaper glass replacements.

[Ronald_55]

I have found that every time I try to work out a way to go cheaper on something it bites me in the ass. At least using the insurance gives you a fall back if the job is botched. 

[Garufa]

Call your insurance company first.  Many of them have windshield replacement programs and even schedule the appointment for you.

Get OEM glass.

[gregintenn]

I always buy the aftermarket glass. It is fine. A 13 year old 4Runner isn’t exactly a collector’s item.

Were you in middle Tennessee, I could hook you up with a guy who beats the pants off Safelite’s prices.

Edited October 27, 2019 by gregintenn

[toby1304]

Check the reviews on google.

[GlockSpock]

1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

I always buy the aftermarket glass. It is fine. A 13 year old 4Runner isn’t exactly a collector’s item.

Were you in middle Tennessee, I could hook you up with a guy who beats the pants off Safelite’s prices.

Well, if you have time and know this guy pretty well, could you simply see if he could quote a front windshield for a 2007 4Runner, OEM and/or OEE? I'd at least like to know what I could maybe shoot for via local shops if I check around.

[Erik88]

I would try to find out why that windshield is so expensive? I know some of the new vehicles haven tech and sensors in them but I don't understand what a 2007 would have. I know people on the Tundra forum got aftermarket glass and regretted it. Cheap glass scratches and chips easily. I probably wouldn't do it. I also wouldn't file a claim unless it was free.

I'm gonna preach for a minute because my wife worked in insurance. Gutting your insurance is a terrible idea. That's one of the last things you should cheap out on. Also, you'll find that there isn't much difference in your premium with going from $1,000 to $500 deductibles. You should change your other 2 cars and up your coverage limits.

My wife and I carry a $1M umbrella policy and it's less than $200 year. 

Edited October 28, 2019 by Erik88
Corrected year of vehicle

[gregintenn]

52 minutes ago, GlockSpock said:

Well, if you have time and know this guy pretty well, could you simply see if he could quote a front windshield for a 2007 4Runner, OEM and/or OEE? I'd at least like to know what I could maybe shoot for via local shops if I check around.

I don't really know them that well, I've just employed them a couple of times. I was very pleased with their prices and service.

http://www.bestpriceautoglass.net/

[hipower]

2 hours ago, gregintenn said:

I always buy the aftermarket glass. It is fine. A 13 year old 4Runner isn’t exactly a collector’s item.

Were you in middle Tennessee, I could hook you up with a guy who beats the pants off Safelite’s prices.

Back in my days with Keystone, I sold a lot of glass to auto body, mechanical shops, even individuals. Our glass came from all sorts of manufacturers. Some OEM marked. Some not.

I did find that many windshields marked as OEM or not, came from the same facility. Same glass, just not labeled for a particular brand. 

In 14 years with them, I sold and delivered upwards of 1000 pieces of glass. I can say that I never had a complaint about any of them. And I saw the same set of people almost weekly on my route.

They DID NOT spare me any comments if there was a problem with anything I sold or delivered.

If you have a reputable guy install the glass, don't fear the "It's not OEM" comments.

Safelite is good. They just put in a windshield on my wife's 09 Impala for a mere 300 bucks. She wouldn't wait for me to get with my old contacts to do it for 125. And...it was an OEM glass.

[jpx2rk]

14 hours ago, GlockSpock said:

Well, potential good news. I double checked. Collision and comprehensive are at $1,000 on my Wife's car. Somehow, my 4Runner is at $500 each. In that case, I may very well just file a claim, pay the deductible, and go the OEM route. Unless someone can convince me that $300.00 saved is worth the OEE glass. However, I've read some lame stories regarding the cheaper glass replacements.

Just something to consider, I had some wind damage to the overhead door on my detached shed used to store my boat/mower/junk/etc.,, on my HO policy a couple years ago.  Cost to replace the door was ~$1150, and my deductible was $1000, so I went thru my HO insurance.  They paid me for the $150 but now I have a claim on my "record" and it does affect your ratings when you go shopping around for new insurance.  While my insurance rates have gone up just like everyone else and I bitch about it, I can't change carriers as easily now.  I also have two auto accidents (neither were my fault) in the last 30 months, so the insurance companies see that as well.  I just went thru the process of comparsion shopping for home and auto, and could not change insurance companies/get a better deal due to these claims.

IF you think you might change/shop around in the future, this claim for the windshield repair will be out there, and will affect the quotes you receive.  Looking back, I wish I had not filed the claim for $150 on my HO policy for the door repair.  The cars yes, because of the damage amount, but not for the OH door.  FYI

[DaveTN]

I had to have the windshield replaced in my Silverado. They assured me their aftermarket was the same as OEM. First try, there was no tint at the top on their glass. Second try they sent a guy out that tinted it. It was a strip of tint all the same shade; no gradual change, looked terrible. Third try they got an OEM and put it in.

[FUJIMO]

I have no ties with this business but I've had great luck with Phoenix Glass in Knoxville. Whenever I spend money with a local business I always ask for a discount if I pay in cash and these guys turned a $450 windshield replacement on a newer model Chevy into a $300 one. While experiences will vary with the vehicle I've since not had anything bad to say about the glass they used. It looks like OEM and has the factory installed rain sensor.

[TomInMN]

Hey @GlockSpock are you a Costco member? I think they have a discount available for this type of thing...

[GlockSpock]

Well, I setup an appointment with a company I found via Google. 
 

Auto Glass Now

Seemingly good reviews. In and out for $161. If the glass looks good and install goes well, I guess I’ll be satisfied. 
 

[GlockSpock]

It's...glass I guess?

Looking straight through the driver side glass looks great. At some point between 1 and 2 O'clock there are the odd distortion/wavy lines some have mentioned. It isn't the worst, and if I wasn't looking for it I don't know if I would see it.

Am I thrilled? Not exactly. I guess I need to decide whether $160 glass is just subpar or if this is a defect. Theoretically, I may be able to have them swap it. Who knows?

Of interesting note is that the receipt shows the glass at being roughly $50.00 and installation and taxes the rest.

[Erik88]

Some of us tried to warn you to not get cheap glass man. This is why.

[GlockSpock]

59 minutes ago, Erik88 said:

Some of us tried to warn you to not get cheap glass man. This is why.

Well...yeah. 
 

For the price difference, I still may have knowingly went this route. It isn’t horrible...just...there. 

[Erik88]

1 hour ago, GlockSpock said:

Well...yeah. 
 

For the price difference, I still may have knowingly went this route. It isn’t horrible...just...there. 

That's fair. I still don't understand why the other windshield was over $600.

[gregintenn]

1 hour ago, GlockSpock said:

Well...yeah. 
 

For the price difference, I still may have knowingly went this route. It isn’t horrible...just...there. 

Could it just need cleaning? I’ve not ran into that problem so far. Just lucky I guess?

Call and complain about it and see if they’ll swap it out.

Edited October 29, 2019 by gregintenn

[Omega]

1 hour ago, GlockSpock said:

Well...yeah. 
 

For the price difference, I still may have knowingly went this route. It isn’t horrible...just...there. 

I'm with you there.  As long as the glass keeps the rain out, and don't break easily, I can live with a little defect if it's all out of pocket.

[GlockSpock]

14 hours ago, Erik88 said:

That's fair. I still don't understand why the other windshield was over $600.

Yeah, I think I've realized it's all sorta just unpredictable. The receipt from AGN shows $54 for the cost of the glass to me. The rest is basically installation. I did check on the internet for the Toyota branded OEM, $500+ easily, never found it for less. I have no fancy features...it is just glass. No rain sensors, tinting, etc.

14 hours ago, gregintenn said:

Could it just need cleaning? I’ve not ran into that problem so far. Just lucky I guess?

Call and complain about it and see if they’ll swap it out.

I...hoped. I put some Windex on it today and although it did make it cleaner, I think it's certain the defect is in the glass. I spoke with them today and she said to bring it it...their tech will look at it. I'll do that the next time I'm that direction. My thoughts are that they'll downplay it and essentially say the only reason I'm seeing it is because I'm looking for it. I will say I never noticed it on the original glass and it is easily noticeable under certain circumstances now.

Of note, I did notice yesterday that when the sun was a a certain angle, you could literally see lines on the dashboard from where the light was being scattered.

13 hours ago, Omega said:

I'm with you there.  As long as the glass keeps the rain out, and don't break easily, I can live with a little defect if it's all out of pocket.

 I'm almost just there. I'll let them look at it as stated above, but I'm not about to spend more money to try again. If they'll try another windshield or offer me some sort of refund...I'll probably just live with it. The difference between <$200.00 and >$700.00 makes quite the compelling case to not worry too much about it.

[jpx2rk]

I had to have the windshield on wife's Ford CMax (about 40 acres of glass on this model), and it cost me around $500 at Safelite in Knoxville about 18 months ago or so.  Took 'em about an hour at their shop somewhere in west Knoxville, in some business park off of Lovell Rd IIRC.  I had a $1000 deductible then so my wallet hurt for a bit.