Windshield Replacement Cost LOL

I'm not a professional, I just know what to look for in a sloppy tech. Either way its a invasive procedure that if not done with care will cause you significant trouble down the road.

 

FWIW, all glass has to meet or exceed OEM safety standards. From there, quality can differ. Even Pilkington glass that fits may be slightly different that the OEM spec'd glass whether Pilkington or AGC.

There is a reason some glass seems to pit and chip more. It is not necessarily the same spec. On the new Land Cruiser, evidently with the safety sense features it is recommended to have OEM replacement to ensure 100% compatibility.

I cracked my windshield on my 2012 Land Cruiser. Shop told me it was exactly the same and much cheaper to get Pilkington and my insurance of course agreed. Before my shop installed, I asked the body shop doing the repair to measure the glass with calipers. The Pilkington was not as think as the OEM AGC (I forget the difference, but it was a significant percentage) and my insurance approved OEM (as the aftermarket glass was not equivalent).

I definitely wouldn't pay that price for OEM, but saying glass is exactly the same is not true. You can even read about OEM and OEM Equivalent glass. I went through this exercise with my Cruiser and learned a lot. From glass to hoods, "OEM equivalent" does not really mean it will be the same as OEM.

 

You might want to rethink that. It will show up as a comp claim in your insurance for years and will affect your rates. I did this 4 years ago and all quotes since then factor in my comp claim for the windshield.

For others, make sure you shop around. I got a quote for $403 + tax + "disposal fee" from Safelite today. Went to another company for a quote who uses the same brand of windshield, and it was $198 + tax, no disposal fee.

 

That's interesting; on a recorded message and somewhere in pdf/emails, my rates are not affected due to the comprehensive claim not being my fault. Same for when my Silverado was broken into at a Target parking lot and my Corolla outside a bar when I lived/worked in Chicago.

Then again it could be that I've been with my insurance company for 15 years.

 

Try getting a quote from a different company.

 

You're absolutely right; I should've stated that if you've got a $0 dollar comprehensive deductible, go ahead and make that claim!

I believe it was a small difference in my premium from having a $0 and a $250 deductible.

 

Staying with my company (USAA), but thanks!

 

I came out to observe a few times when Southern Auto Glass was doing mine. They were doing professional work, as I watched them cut around my cracked windshield with the special flat angled knife. I did tons of research before I went with them and they evidently do TONS of glass in the southeastern area, with excellent reviews to boot. They were explaining every step they were doing and really put my mind at ease. Been through some blinding downpours so far and no leaking or anything.

 

Been with USAA for 30+ years. My point was this - try getting a quote from a different insurer. Every single one will bring up that comp claim as a factor. With the increase in the premium, it's cheaper to spend $200 out of your own pocket for the windshield replacement than to suffer premium increases with your current and future insurer.

 

Safelite makes there own glass. Not sure if that is what they are installing but you should be able to find manufacturer on the glass.

 

They used to, but no longer. My understanding is they source their glass from any of the companies in the market (including OEM if requested), but do carry more of these brands:

XYG (Xinyi) - Terrible quality, lowest grade and price. Haven't seen it ever praised.

FYG (Fuyao) - OEM quality, and I believe also a supplier to Hyundai and Kia. They even have a plant in Ohio so you could end up with a US made windshield.

 

Has the overall thickness of the glass used in autos changed much in your 30 yrs.?

 

Depends what state you are in. Glass in NY is a seperate rider with $0 deductible.

 

Nope still the same.

 

Safelite did quit making windshields several years ago. We run a lot of "Safelite" glass. Which means we change logos. We use raw glass from PGW primarily but also AGC, Guardian, and occasionally Pilkington.

 

No luck on my first attempt. Just came back from the glass shop and the only "Pilkington" glass they had was DOT 563 XYG glass that Pilkington bought and slapped their label on. Even the corner marking didn't say Pilkington, but instead said TriVal which is a brand owned by them.

VERY wavy and distorted glass. Looks almost like water ripples. Uncomfortable to look though since it's like putting on someone else's prescription eyeglasses.

Luckily the shop owner agreed that the quality sucked and is going to try ordering another.

I guess one thing XYG did right was the dot matrix design and mirror locator are identical, but that's really only 10% of the big picture.

Sigh.

 

Where are you located at? Are you near Alabama? Worth a drive down here for a Pilkington OEM replacement for $250?

 

Oklahoma. Bit too far.

 

I've seen some folks replace their windshields for $500+! That's craziness, but I guess everything is geographical, like the price of a gallon of gas. Good luck to you!

 

Craigslist mobile windshield, $140 with new mouling. 6 plus years. Pgw is the name on it