New Windshield

wynton · July 2, 2007

I have a NBS Sierra SLE2 Crew Cab with quite a few of the bells and whistles (Including Rainsense) and only 3000 miles.

I was driving down the highway on Thursday and a rock hit my windshield! It was only a little spider crack, so I said, oh well, I will just get it fixed...

Later that day, I went outside, only to find that the little spider crack had turned into a 16" long canyon on my windshield.

I went to the dealer that I bought it from to try and get some love from all the profit they made off of me, and they quoted me $400 for the windshield and the rainsense kit! They told me that they didn't make any money off of me because of all the rebates and the supplier discount I got. I know that is BS, but there was no talking to the service guy there. I threw a fit, but to no avail, and went on my way.

I shopped around for another quote and I found Safelite. They will come to my workplace and install it for under $300 with the rainsense part.

I would like an OEM windshield, but I can't afford to pay and extra $100 for it and to lose a day with my truck.

Has anyone here had a similar experience?

Ok, I am done with my rant for the day.

-Matt

svensk · July 2, 2007

Call your insurance company to check your policy on windshield replacement. My insurance will replace it for free because it's a safety item and they don't want you driving around with a broken or cracked one.

wynton · July 2, 2007

I checked, it is a $500 deductible. I am going to get that changed though.

-Matt

bigdogxx · July 2, 2007

I checked, it is a $500 deductible. I am going to get that changed though.

-Matt

Hell i didnt even think it was possible to have a deductible for glass, unless you are using one of those bargin geico or progressive who are known for sucking you in with these good rates except the coverage pretty much sucks! Why the hell even have glass protection if they have a deductible that high as most times you will never exceed a 3-400 dollar tab for doing glass repair. I would bitch you insurance adjuster out for setting you up with a horrible policy and find a insurance writer who doesnt like to screw it's customers!

Also your dealer is in no way shape or form responsible for glass repair, you shouldnt even be the least bit mad at the dealer or the service writer for them declining to replace a 400 dollar window at their expense for something they had nothing to do with! This is between you and you insurance provider and no one else, i really cant think of a single person i know that has a deduct for glass repair and i think your anger needs to be directed at them not your dealer.

wynton · July 2, 2007

Also your dealer is in no way shape or form responsible for glass repair, you shouldnt even be the least bit mad at the dealer or the service writer for them declining to replace a 400 dollar window at their expense for something they had nothing to do with! This is between you and you insurance provider and no one else, i really cant think of a single person i know that has a deduct for glass repair and i think your anger needs to be directed at them not your dealer.

I am not asking the dealer to replace it at their expense, I am just asking for a little love when it comes to marking up the stuff. I have no problem paying for parts and labor, but the markup is what is killing me. The dealer made some easy money when I came in there and bought the truck, now I am just looking for a cut in the markup when it comes to a repair a month later.

I do have Geico insurance, and I agree that there should be a lower deductible for glass, but it is in the policy that I agreed to. I am in the process of changing that now.

The dealer told me that they are marking up the parts and labor. If you make an easy thousand or two off of a customer, don't you think you would give them a break on a small service item after only a month?

bigdogxx · July 2, 2007

Also your dealer is in no way shape or form responsible for glass repair, you shouldnt even be the least bit mad at the dealer or the service writer for them declining to replace a 400 dollar window at their expense for something they had nothing to do with! This is between you and you insurance provider and no one else, i really cant think of a single person i know that has a deduct for glass repair and i think your anger needs to be directed at them not your dealer.

I am not asking the dealer to replace it at their expense, I am just asking for a little love when it comes to marking up the stuff. I have no problem paying for parts and labor, but the markup is what is killing me. The dealer made some easy money when I came in there and bought the truck, now I am just looking for a cut in the markup when it comes to a repair a month later.

I do have Geico insurance, and I agree that there should be a lower deductible for glass, but it is in the policy that I agreed to. I am in the process of changing that now.

The dealer told me that they are marking up the parts and labor. If you make an easy thousand or two off of a customer, don't you think you would give them a break on a small service item after only a month?

I just had my window replaced not even a full week ago, and called the dealer because like yourself i didn't want some cheapo made in china piece of glass, but i found out that the dealer does not carry these items and subs out any work to do with glass repair which was the same for every other gm dealer in my area that i spoke to. So really the price you got from safelite is most likely the same exact windshield your dealer would get.

Still though the dealer owes you nothing on this not even a cost break on a new window, you should really direct your anger at geico, or like you said yourself for not looking at the fine print, but do not get mad at the dealers service and parts people for just doing their job.

And every policy i have had in the 17 years i have had my license i have not once had to pick a deductible on my glass, maybe it's just my state which does not allow companies like geico to do business here but it has always been a 0 deduct for replacement glass.

TEE · July 2, 2007

Geico = Mistake.

Aern't all winshields DOT approved ?

Song · July 2, 2007

I have $0 deductible on mine. I have a star in the middle. Waiting on it to run so I can replace it.

cmoore74 · July 2, 2007

About the 4th week over owning mine (brand new) a chunk of concrete about the size of a baseball hit the hood and then ran into the windshield while going down the highway. The glass was covered with no deductable, but the paint repair was not. One of the dents in the hood was about 1/4" deep and it was done to bare metal. Had to be banged out and repainted.

I think glass coverage and deductables (if any) vary from state to state. Here in CT if you have full coverage I think the state mandates 0 deductible glass coverage.

VMax2007 · July 2, 2007

Rare positive ins story...

My ins co., IDS property casualty aka American Express property casualty co. is the best ins co. I have ever dealt with. I pay about 500/6 mos for FULL coverage on my 07 NBS GMC and our 2004 Impala. My driving record is decent, but certainly not clean. I have had a couple of tickets and a couple of accident claims within 3 year periods, my last accident was with my wife's 97 Lumina in 2004 (that's why we now have a 2004 Impala...lol). They NEVER have raised my rates after accident claims or tickets. I have 300,000/100,000 liability with $500 deductible collision, full glass (0 dedeuct), and $250 deductible comp.

I used to replace my windshield in my 2000 GMC every 2 yrs or so. I had it replaced twice when it was wasn't even cracked or chipped. it was just sand pitted and created a glare when driving into low sunlight (dusk or dawn). I called my ins co and they approved it without even looking at it, no questions asked. I simply told them it was pitted and created a glare and they said go ahead and have it replaced and send them the bill.

cmoore74 · July 2, 2007

Rare positive ins story...

My ins co., IDS property casualty aka American Express property casualty co. is the best ins co. I have ever dealt with. I pay about 500/6 mos for FULL coverage on my 07 NBS GMC and our 2004 Impala. My driving record is decent, but certainly not clean. I have had a couple of tickets and a couple of accident claims within 3 year periods, my last accident was with my wife's 97 Lumina in 2004 (that's why we now have a 2004 Impala...lol). They NEVER have raised my rates after accident claims or tickets. I have 300,000/100,000 liability with $500 deductible collision, full glass (0 dedeuct), and $250 deductible comp.

I used to replace my windshield in my 2000 GMC every 2 yrs or so. I had it replaced twice when it was wasn't even cracked or chipped. it was just sand pitted and created a glare when driving into low sunlight (dusk or dawn). I called my ins co and they approved it without even looking at it, no questions asked. I simply told them it was pitted and created a glare and they said go ahead and have it replaced and send them the bill.

That is a good insurance company. I asked about getting the windshield replaced on the wife's blazer because it was pitted and the glare was getting really bad and they wouldn't cover it. Seems to me a windshield replacement is a lot cheaper than an accident because you can't see, but they wouldn't listen. My next step was to take a hammer to it and say it was a rock, but we ended up getting rid of it.

emejay · July 2, 2007

Geico = Mistake.
Aern't all winshields DOT approved ?

Although they may be DOT approved, quality varies greatly, the cheapest being made in

China. Cheapies don't fit well (may leak) and have visual flaws. OEM are the best and the most expensive.

wynton · July 2, 2007

Well, just so I don't have this problem again, I am going with Amica Insurance. It is better coverage and cheaper.

-Matt

BRZ71 · July 2, 2007

Safelite did mine and my ins covered it, 50.00 deduct. I do have to say that the winshield that Safelite put in has been hit many times with rocks on the road and I don't have one star or chip. Some of the hits I though for sure would leave a mark, I couldn't say the same for the OEM that came with the truck. I had a small star, went out one night (it was below freezing) put on the defrost on the way and suddenly the small star ran all the way across the windshield. Sometimes aftermarket parts are actually better than the OEM.

Also the Safelite winshield had all the same markings that my OEM one had. Maybe they make the OEM winshields?

VMax2007 · July 2, 2007

I am not sure of this, but I believe in MN, the law states that they HAVE to replace it if it is pitted enough to hinder visibility. Also, keep in mind that the windshield in modern vehicles is a structural member for the cab. That is what dictates OEM standards, not chip resistance.