Windscreen Repair - Autoglass

[AxsMan]

Thought I'd just relate the saga of my (first ever!) stone chipped windscreen and pass on to you guys (and girls) my comments on Autoglass:

Two weekends ago I was driving through Ireland (coming back from Giant's Causeway) when something sounding very much like a gunshot blew a small crater in my windscreen. As we were just outside Belfast at the time it was a little worrying, but close inspection revealed that it probably was only a stone. End result crater the size of a 5p right in my line of vision, with small cracks out to the size of a 10p.

After driving home to Leicester (through the most rain Dublin, or Anglesey have seen in years with NO leaks!) I called my insurance ‘windscreen line’ and found myself speaking to Autoglass. They took details of the car (Black SE) and the very helpful (sounding) young lady said they could come out to fit the new screen the next day to my work address – so far, quite impressed!

Next day they showed up on time (even more impressed) but then the bad news – the ‘helpful’ young lady had ordered the wrong screen and it wouldn’t fit (now not so impressed).

However, here’s the best bit, the guy in the van did a quick ‘repair’ with some UV light setting resin and 20 minutes later the screen is as good as new. It really is amazing how well the repair has worked, if I didn’t know EXACTLY where to look (having stared at it for 7 hours on the drive home) I wouldn’t know it had ever been broken.

I’m still having it replaced, since the (insured) cost is only £50, and the CC is still new. (and the guy said that really the damage was just a bit big to be repaired, apparently they are not supposed to repair anything where the cracks extend out beyond the size of a £1 coin). The correct screen will take a week or so to come, and 1 hour to fit with another hour to let the seal dry.

Overall I was very impressed with Autoglass, particularly since the cost of the repair was nil, it doesn’t even affect my no-claims discount. The quality was so good that if it happened to an older car I’d seriously consider saving the £50 excess and not bothering with the replacement. Has anyone else had good (or bad) experiences with repaired/replaced screens?

BTW the bit that makes the screen ‘rare’ is the moisture sensor for the auto wipers (or so they told me).

Happy motoring!

SimonT

[Derek]

when i had a broken windscreen on a 106 they couldn't get one until the next day which didn't impress me.

they couldn't repair it as the brick made quite a big hole

[rob]

there was a report on the AA web site or was it in their mag (I cant remember) that suggested that if possible that you do not move your car for 24 hours after replacing the front screen as it provides 20% of the cars strength in a crash.

This is especially important in a cabrio.

Just a thought for you.

[Alex LS]

So just don't crash

[TheMinel]

lol I can just imagine people throwing bricks @ derek! Was it an angry customer waiting for the hoops?