Windshield replacement over $1,100?????

I had a crack in my windshield and my state farm agent told me that windshields cost more than $1,000 typically. I inquired as I was considering paying the whole thing out of pocket as I didn't want it to affect my overall rates. I just got this fixed through State Farm a couple months back. They arranged for a glass shop to come to my office and fix the car on site at my work. About an hour and they're done. I was liable for my deductible.

I now have ANOTHER chip in my windshield and it's not spreading so I'm not fixing it. I figure at the rate I'm going I would fix it and get another chip in a few more months. When I spoke with my dealer again to inquire if repeated glass damage will increase my rates they said that it may affect my deductible, but shouldn't affect my rate.

Your insurance agent should be able to recommend several glass companies with whom they contract out work. This is actually a great means of referral as if they perform poor work, your insurance company won't be continuing to use them.

What is it with this glass anyway? I've owned three other cars and never have had to replace a windshield due to road debris ever.

 

The windshield on the new Toyota FJ Cruiser is $1,700 to replace, including the moldings and a trim piece that cannot be salvaged during the replacement procedure. :blink:

FJ Cruiser owners are also experiencing a high rate of cracked windshields; a non-scientific poll on one of the FJ enthusiasts' website showed that over 32% of owners had replaced (well, at least had damage necessitating a replacement) at least one windshield, and this on a first-year model. Many of them had replaced two or three, and most of the damage occurred on paved roads, not off-roading.

Several theories exist, including a design flaw with the near-vertical windshield design and body flex that increases pressure on the glass. Nothing has been proven, but the poll was interesting. A class-action suit was in the works.

So I am not surprised at the cost to replace a Prius windshield. Yet another reason to lower your comprehensive/glass damage deductible :mellow:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jwe8f @ Sep 5 2007, 06:16 PM) [snapback]507532[/snapback]</div>

Please read this thread:
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=3...p;hl=windshield

You do not want to end up in the same situation

 

If it hasn't got Toyota on it, it isn't OEM.
The genuine glass has a UV and infrared reduction built it

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jwe8f @ Sep 5 2007, 05:35 PM) [snapback]507634[/snapback]</div>

Almost seven years ago, my wife's then nearly new Dodge Grand Caravan was vandalized and we needed to replace the shattered back window in addition to having body and paint work done. After a long fight with the insurance company, I finally got the adjuster to approve an OEM part only to ultimately discover that the dealers themselves got the part from an independent glass supplier and charged twice as much for it ($900 v. $450). Sure enough, the aftermarket window I got from the same supplier that the dealer used has all the Mopar OEM markings on it and cost half as much.

 

Just as a point of reference the windshield replacement on my 1991 M5 was about $800 for the whole job. On that car, as in many modern cars, the glass is glued in and is a structural member so it matters if it is OEM or not. Also there are expensive trim pieces that break and add to the cost.
On my 1972 2002tii touring (which has all the glass different than the sedan body), the glass was $230 and the install was $100 plus the cost of the rubber gasket I supplied.
I have not replaced any glass on the Prius yet!

 

The following companies make Prius glass:
Asahi (DOT-20)
Nippon Sheet Glass (DOT-23)
Thai Safety Glass (DOT-207)

There are quite possibly many more. Just read the DOT code on the corner and go to:
http://www.carwindshields.info/DOT_db.htm

Who made your cracked glass?

 

If the non original glass isn't marked UV reduction or something similar then the UV reduction isn't there. It isn't a after production process but the sunscreening is built into the glass, in the windscreen it's in the plastic between the 2 layers of glass.
Only glass made for Toyota can have the Toyota markings on it. I would only trust Toyota to provide glass that is OEM, if it isn't marked Toyota how are you going to know?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Sep 6 2007, 04:21 PM) [snapback]508173[/snapback]</div>

All car window glass blocks UV. That's why UV-sensitive photochromic eyeglass lenses don't darken when you're in a car, and why your interior doesn't get faded quickly even though you park in the sun all the time.

Do you tan and get sunburned through your windshield and side windows? I don't.

 

Yes I do.
I work in a car all day and I do get brown on my arms and if I'm on the road all day with the sun coming through my window I can get some burning. I wear long sleaves to avoid burning.
My Prius is the first car I have ever had which has a UV reduction markings on the glass.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jwe8f @ Sep 6 2007, 07:01 PM) [snapback]508282[/snapback]</div>

We had ours replaced about 2 weeks ago. Hit by a rock near the upper driver's side corner. Developed an 16" crack down across the driver's line of sight overnight. My insurance (USAA) works directly with Safelite for glass replacement but you can use other shops if you want. Anyway I paid a $100 deductible but the bill said the total would have been $330. Safelite came out and did it in my garage. Lifetime guarantee against leakage. I've attached the label from the new one. Obviously not Toyota OEM but I really can't tell the difference sitting in the car and we've had some rain with no leaks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jrfaris @ Sep 6 2007, 10:22 PM) [snapback]508292[/snapback]</div>

I had Safelite install the same exact glass today. I am curious if you notice any distortion when looking at straight lines thru the edges of the windshield. When I look at the glass from an angle it looks wavey. When I look thru from the inside out, straight edges look like a reflection in a circus mirror. I asked for factory glass and my insurance co agreed but Safelite said they were not authorized and showed up with SGC. When I complained to my insurance co. they agreed totally and where upset that Safelite refused to install factory glass and are now insisting that they replace it. I am releived and also lucky that in Florida, insurance has to pay 100% by law.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jwe8f @ Sep 6 2007, 11:03 PM) [snapback]508317[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, I might have just gotten a bad batch. I'll keep you posted.

 

I just wanted to add a few things to this thread (as background, I run the carwindshields.info site that was referenced; I don't have a Prius, but I do have a Toyota Camry Hybrid).

As far as OEM glass, the company that claimed that their $300 windshield replacement was using OEM glass was almost certainly lying. OEM glass typically costs much, much more than aftermarket glass. If it doesn't have the Toyota logo, you can assume it isn't OEM (since Toyota decides the specs for OEM glass, it would be unusual for them to request both glass with the Toyota logo and without). There are cases, though, where a car manufacturer may order more OEM glass than they need, that ends up at auto glass repair shops.

The OEM glass is more expensive because there are extensive specs (sometimes 50+ pages worth) that must be followed, whereas the aftermarket glass is designed to be close to the original, but the aftermarket glass is normally made without even having the specs to look at. Also, the process used to make OEM glass (which is done in small quantities) is different than that used to make aftermarket glass (which is made is large quantities). I've never heard of a case where someone claimed that aftermarket glass was better than OEM glass.

As reference, the Toyota Camry Hybrid OEM windshield also costs around $1,000 (plus installation), whereas Safelite charged my insurance company $237 (just $97 for the windshield). Interestingly, Safelite installs the gas Toyota Camry windshield in the hybrids, which is probably illegal (since the glass in the hybrid has an acoustic layer that the gas glass does not have).

As for UV protection, all auto glass has some UV protection (which is why people don't burn or tan *easily* in a car), but some auto glass has extra UV protection (and normally has a "UV" or similar marking).
-Scott

 

rscott, were you happy with your aftermarket windshield?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wayne @ Sep 7 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]508725[/snapback]</div>

Good question. There isn't an easy answer to the question, though. I haven't noticed any differences between the aftermarket windshield and the original OEM windshield. So from a pure look-and-feel standpoint, I'm pleased.

I don't like the fact that I got the gas Camry windshield (the hybrid Camry is heavier than the gas Camry, windshields support much of the weight of the car, so there could be a safety issue), but that wouldn't be an issue with the Prius. And I know that aftermarket glass often isn't as good as OEM glass.

So I'm not pleased, but on the other hand there is nothing tangible that I don't like about it.
-Scott