Broken Windshield- AGAIN!

Some car insurance company policies cover windshield replacements

 

It could be worth talking to the dealership - or TOYOTA Corporate - unless it was hit by a stone?

Sometimes it's just luck - bad luck. I did 2 windscreens 2 years in a row (2005 & 2006 in 2 different cars) - previous one was 1977, and not had one since.

Both of them were from a stone. If yours are cracking spontaneously, there could be an issue with the body putting pressure on a part of the screen.

 

Both mine (can't remember 1977 - it just shattered) were hit right near the edge. The VOLVO close to passenger pillar ½ way up, KIA near the bottom of screen. Both cracked almost immediately across to the edge of the screen, and over next 200km went for an excursion across the screen.

 

I mean some insurance companies pay for the windshield replacement, no charge to you.

 

Here, it's an optional extra on the annual premium - which I haven't paid for many years, an extra $60/yr.

 

I didn't know it's an optional coverage, that's not really free.....

 

Nothing is free, you get what you pay for.

I could go to another insurer who offers it "free" - but their premium was dearer, presumably to include the "free" extra coverage. You can also go to a cheaper policy with less coverage (higher self-deductible etc).

 

Make sure they replace it with a brand name windshield (PPG, Pilkington). On my other car, Safelite replace my windshield with a no-name brand and a couple of months later, rock chips all over the windshield. It wasn't thick enough to withstand small pebble hit. I then went to a local mom and pop shop and made sure they used a brand name windshield. They replaced the Safelite windshield with a windshield that was made by Pilkington. Pilkington makes OEM windshields for Mercedes and other car manufacturers. After that, no more problems. The name of the manufacture should be stamped on the driver side of the windshield, stay away from windshield that has no stamp or with just a cheap decal on it.

 

Thanks. Very interesting information.

 

You're not alone: 2016 Toyota Prius Windshield Cracks Easily: 17 Complaints
Add your complaint there so toyota can fix their crappy thin windshields.

 

You might want to consider filing a safety complaint with the NHTSA (or your country's version thereof if you aren't in the USA)

 

Did they re-calibrate the precollisiion camera too? Toyota says that is required whenever the windshield is replaced on the Gen 4.

 

Windshield cover is nearly always included with UK insurers, but you have to pay an excess, mine's £90 excess ATM.

 

When I had the windshield replaced (small rock pit that started to spiderweb) I asked the independent shop to use genuine Toyota glass. They told me that they couldn't without my insurance company's (AAA) approval. A quick call to the insurance company and they agreed to the original glass. The body shop had to take my car to a Toyota dealer to get the windshield calibrated.

 

Check this out guys: Toyota Prius Windshield Cracks Cause Lawsuit | CarComplaints.com

 

Surprisingly my flawless 2009 windshield cracked and started at the same spot which is the black area near the hood.

 

Arizona is tough on windshields. Two months after car purchase I got a star on the passenger side. That was repaired, although not invisible. Seven months later it took a hit in that area under the windshield wiper parking area on the passenger side and the crack progressed as I watched it up into the center of the windshield. This was when the supply chain issues were just starting, and the replacement windshield was backordered for a couple weeks. Got it replaced finally, then two weeks later I took a stone on the drivers side, also in the windshield wiper parking area, and the crack traveled quickly up into my viewing area. Replaced again and so far just some small scratches and chips here and there. I hear rumors that insurance will cover up to seven windshield replacements per year in this state. I do have glass coverage. I can't say for sure if Gen IV windshields are a problem. I had windshields replaced on my two previous Prius vehicles too, from driving the same stretch of road. I have modified my driving behavior to avoid close proximity to any truck traffic, which is nearly impossible in this state.