windscreens

[Phil Pascoe]

Does anyone know whether claiming on insurance for a screen increases your premium, or is specific to the policy?

 

[Gerry]

I have had several screens replaced on insurance over the years and apart from the excess it does not affect your policy / no claims.
The last one I had done was a mini coupe 2 years ago. It cost £75 excess

Gerry

 

[John Brown]

I think it depends on your individual policy, a lot have windscreen exemption. Maybe they all do, nowadays, but I'd be surprised.
The last car we bought had a badly scratched screen, and the dealer suggested we claimed for a replacement on insurance, and they would pay the excess. This was a big main dealership in Cheltenham (they're no longer there). We politely declined, and suggested that such a course could be considered fraudulent, and they coughed up for the replacement. I think it was fairly expensive, being a heated windscreen.

 

[Lons]

I think it was fairly expensive, being a heated windscreen.

They're all expensive these days.
The windscreenon our 2018 motorhome cracked last September apparently caused by a stone chip and I had it replaced on insurance, paying the £75 excess. The vehicle is on a Fiat Ducato base so nothing special except for a green tint though it is larger than a car and the fitters told me they cost the thick end of £800. I don't yet know if it will affect my renewal but have noticed that some companies have increased the excess on their policies.

 

[Sideways]

You policy may offer a reduced excess if you have the screen repaired rather than replaced.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I'm uncertain whether this is a csmall crack or a chip. According to the MOT tester all she actually needs to do is to fit a shorter windscreen wiper.

 

[Spectric]

According to the MOT tester all she actually needs to do is to fit a shorter windscreen wiper.

You could end up having to just peer through a small gap, be like driving an armoured car. If it is a chip then get it repaired as it will become a crack.

 

[Cabinetman]

Tried to have chips repaired a couple of times but not the right sort of chip lol.
Btw, not all chips develop into cracks, that’s bs put out by the repair people.
Ian

 

[Phil Pascoe]

This actually a 3" crack. Neither of us noticed.

 

[Ollie78]

It should not affect the renewal much if any. I had a replacement screen in my van last year it cost £100 excess. Had been a chip for many years but not MOT failure as not in the main zone. One day it just became a crack because of the cold.
I have heard that you have to be careful if you have a Ford with a heated front screen as the insurance company will likely replace it with a non heated one if they can get away with it, apparently the official Ford ones are super expensive.

Ollie

 

[Phil Pascoe]

This is an 18 year old Berlingo so not upmarket.

 

[Chubber]

As has been said above, a chip may become a crack, become a bigger crack, et cetera. So?

The rigid integrity of an undamaged screen is a major factor in preventing roof crush in the event of a major roll-over catastrophe.

 

[SammyQ]

Having been the recipient of one of the old Austin windscreens coming apart on the Dublin ring road during Friday rush hour, I NEVER bellyache* about cost or 'necessity' regarding them.

* I wrote b.i.t.c.h. but the digital nanny changed it to "puppy"....