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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: p3eps on 21 August 2011, 10:16

Title: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: p3eps on 21 August 2011, 10:16
I was washing the car yesterday and when drying it off I noticed a large crack in my windscreen.
It's difficult to see as its below the dashboard line - and sits under the wipers on the black bit.
It must be about 18" long though!

How much does a new windscreen cost?  I imagine it being pretty expensive?  I don't know if its worth an insurance claim as I don't want to put my premiums up next year.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Jimble on 21 August 2011, 10:23
Bad times mate! I don't know how much a screen is to buy but i don't think claiming for a screen would affect your premium much? I had a screen in my mk5 through insurance and i don't think made much difference at all tbh.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Snoopy on 21 August 2011, 10:30
Check your car insurance policy as most cover windscreens on a different basis to a normal claim.
NeilGTI and a couple others have had theirs done so there should be a thread somewere on here not long ago.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: am1w on 21 August 2011, 11:11
@p3eps: Almost all, in fact all, fully comp insurance policies have windscreen cover. You pay a £70 approx excess and the repair does not affect your NCD. Buying a windscreen is prohibitively costly.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: p3asa on 21 August 2011, 12:03
^ +1

Never had an insurance policy that doesn't include windscreen cover.

As Am1w states usually you pay the excess and it doesn't affect your NCD
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: p3eps on 21 August 2011, 16:21
Thanks guys...

I've had a quick look on the elephant.co.uk FAQ which says as long as I use their 'approved repairer' then I only have to pay the £70 excess.
It doesn't mention anything about NCD at all though.  I'll have to dig out my policy details when I get home and see if it mentions anything.

I have to phone and find out who the approved repairer is anyway, so I guess I could just ask them.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: DRC on 21 August 2011, 20:49
I'm with Admiral (part of the same company as Elephant) and had a chip repair and a new windscreen in my Leon over a year ago, didn't even effect my renewal :)
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 21 August 2011, 20:54
All as above,you will prob pay £70 excess over the phone on your card when you call and book it in,
The glass cover no: that I rang off my ins policy put me straight through to autoglass, just gave them my reg and they knew who I was insured with, they gave me a date of 7 days because they had to order the new screen, cannot fault autoglass top job  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: skandar on 22 August 2011, 10:36
Can't agree more with guys above. I did the same for my older car. Cracked right throught the screen when the front bonnet flipped..:embarassed: Insurance company redirected me to Autoglass and I just paid £70 excess for full replacement.

They can arrange to come to work or home, which was convenient. DID NOT affect my NCD. I was with Provident through Swinton at that time.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: bobotheclown on 22 August 2011, 19:49
I had to change my screen after 1 month of ownership. Insurance will cover this for a nominal fee. I must say that the new screen does mist up quicker than the original one. Some RainX partially fixes it but I never felt it was the same.

Good luck with it.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 06 January 2013, 09:42
All as above,you will prob pay £70 excess over the phone on your card when you call and book it in,
The glass cover no: that I rang off my ins policy put me straight through to autoglass, just gave them my reg and they knew who I was insured with, they gave me a date of 7 days because they had to order the new screen, cannot fault autoglass top job  :smiley:


Had Autoglass out again yesterday for another Windscreen replacement  :sad:
And again cannot fault them another top job and very professional  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: mkviken on 06 January 2013, 18:23
did you watch them do it? is it horrendous to watch? only times ive seen it done it looks pretty brutal. not sure if mine may need doing in the future

ive got a stonechip on my car which looks pretty bad - makes me wonder how long it will last before it spreads.

also the wifes cars screen has loads of chips (but bodywork hasn't :huh:) so could probably do with replacement
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 06 January 2013, 18:40
did you watch them do it? is it horrendous to watch? only times ive seen it done it looks pretty brutal. not sure if mine may need doing in the future

ive got a stonechip on my car which looks pretty bad - makes me wonder how long it will last before it spreads.

also the wifes cars screen has loads of chips (but bodywork hasn't :huh:) so could probably do with replacement

Yes was chatting to him while he was doing it, not brutal at all with the right tools it looks very professional and neat,
Puts like a cheese wire around the glass turns a handle that is suckered onto the screen and cuts it out,
Even put tape on the wing tops etc while he was working to protect against any damage,
Autoglass have done two screens now on my car and would highly recommend them  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: mkviken on 06 January 2013, 19:04
That's good to hear. I think I may need a new screen as they seem very easily chipped but wondered how neat a job it was

Also the roof where the screen is bonded has no trim so I bet the paint could be easily damaged if they don't know what they're doing.

Was there any debris in the interior after having it done? I always imagine there to be shards if glass everywhere after removing the old screen.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 06 January 2013, 19:26
The screens are laminated so don't break into a thousand pieces like they used to, comes out in one piece  :smiley:
I was a bit weary about getting the screen done on such a new car last year but they do it day in day out and on a lot better cars than a GTI  :smiley:
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Gene Hunt. on 07 January 2013, 10:26
did you watch them do it? is it horrendous to watch? only times ive seen it done it looks pretty brutal. not sure if mine may need doing in the future

ive got a stonechip on my car which looks pretty bad - makes me wonder how long it will last before it spreads.

also the wifes cars screen has loads of chips (but bodywork hasn't :huh:) so could probably do with replacement

Yes was chatting to him while he was doing it, not brutal at all with the right tools it looks very professional and neat,
Puts like a cheese wire around the glass turns a handle that is suckered onto the screen and cuts it out,
Even put tape on the wing tops etc while he was working to protect against any damage,
Autoglass have done two screens now on my car and would highly recommend them  :smiley:
.....auto wipers still work ok?.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: mkviken on 07 January 2013, 11:35
your lucky if they work ok in the first place
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: joe6 on 07 January 2013, 16:21
I can confirm that Autoglass did a very good job on mine last autumn. Came out like a dream in one piece with the right tools and no scratches on paintwork or trim. They have to do a check for paintwork damage etc before starting and make you sign - a good thing as it increases the care they take!!
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: dubber36 on 07 January 2013, 16:46
Are people having genuine screens fitted? I've heard that non-genuine ones aren't as sound insulative, so make the wipers sound noisier.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 07 January 2013, 18:10
Are people having genuine screens fitted? I've heard that non-genuine ones aren't as sound insulative, so make the wipers sound noisier.

Not sure on this one, looks like the same to me and haven't noticed the wipers any noisier,
Auto wipers work as normal also
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: dubber36 on 07 January 2013, 18:25
Are people having genuine screens fitted? I've heard that non-genuine ones aren't as sound insulative, so make the wipers sound noisier.

Not sure on this one, looks like the same to me and haven't noticed the wipers any noisier,
Auto wipers work as normal also

A genuine one will have the same marking as the door glass in the bottom corner by the tax disc I think.
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: Neil gti on 07 January 2013, 18:48
Are people having genuine screens fitted? I've heard that non-genuine ones aren't as sound insulative, so make the wipers sound noisier.

Not sure on this one, looks like the same to me and haven't noticed the wipers any noisier,
Auto wipers work as normal also


A genuine one will have the same marking as the door glass in the bottom corner by the tax disc I think.

Will have a looksy when I get it back  :wink:
Title: Re: Cracked windscreen :(
Post by: mkviken on 07 January 2013, 19:29
there should be a vw badge on the drivers side bottom edge of the screen

i doubt they would be genuine VW to be honest but probably made in the same factory anyway!