Windscreen recommendations

[Gary Waugh]

I have an 08 limited EL that has a few chips in the windscreen, just got another but it is massive and I doubt it can be repaired, so I probably need a new windscreen. I wanted to ask if there is anything I should be looking out for or companies that are recommended or should be avoided? I live just north of Dallas, Texas. Not sure if my windscreen has any sound deadening material inside it, have a lot of things stuck to the inside of the windscreen (toll tags, radar detector mounts, rear view mirrror, HAM radio remote display, etc) so not looking forward to doing it. The car runs perfectly and looks great so definitely want to replace the windscreen with something equivalent to the OEM and keep her as my daily driver.
Never had a windscreen changed before so just looking for suggestions/advice, should I have a guy come to my house or will I get a better job if I take the car to a repair shop where they will have access to all their tools (rather than just the tools on his truck).

Cheers Gary

 

[Fastcar]

Usually the glass company doing the install will swap things for you. Talk to your insurance company so they can pick up the extra if any.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I don't know about TX, but in several other states, unless you have full coverage insurance (collision/comp/extras) it won't cover windshield damage....

Safelite replaced the windshield in my 011 EL for $350 last year (no chips or major damages, just dull & years of micro-pits/abrasions), but since my deductible is $500, I would have had to pay for it with or without a claim.

And they moved over all the stuff I had attached to the glass for me, nottaproblemo and even threw in a new set of all-season wiper blades too since I paid cash

 

[Gary Waugh]

Thanks, I have comprehensive insurance (with Allstate) and a $200 deductible, so will get the insurance to pay for a part of it. Was thinking of trying safe lite but that was just based on all the adverts I see, no idea if their work is a good quality or do they install the cheapest windshield they can get? Want an OEM equivalent screen.

 

[Fastcar]

Thanks, I have comprehensive insurance and a $200 deductible, so will get the insurance to pay for a part of it. Was thinking of trying safe lite but that was just based on all the adverts I see, no idea if their work is a good quality or do they install the cheapest windshield they can get? Want an OEM equivalent screen.

I've found in most states there is no deductible on glass coverage. Tell them a truck went by and threw up a stone and cracked it. ymmv

 

[Gary Waugh]

That is what I told them, but they insist that I have a $200 deductible..

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Was thinking of trying safe lite but that was just based on all the adverts I see, no idea if their work is a good quality or do they install the cheapest windshield they can get? Want an OEM equivalent screen

Well, having had 3 different windshields replaced by them, I can vouch for their quality and workmanship, at least for the 2 locations that did them. I was in & out in about 1.5 hrs.....But some of this may depend on the actual shop/techs too though.

Hell, for a small up-charge, they will even come to your home/work, but I preferred to go their & watch the work in progress

For some vehicles they may have the parts in stock, others they may have to order them, which can take a few days.

 

[Lee Hartwig]

Unlike many other auto parts, windshields are highly regulated and must meet DOT regulations, at a minimum, or they cannot be sold.
Over the years have had several replaced by Safelite with no issues.

 

[Randy Bassett]

Safelight comes to you, hooks up everything, and warrants their work. They also indicate how quickly the get the job done.
Warning: What they don't tell you until the work is done is that you should not drive it right away - give it 24 hrs for the sealant to set. Otherwise, you risk a leak.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Safelight comes to you, hooks up everything, and warrants their work. They also indicate how quickly the get the job done.
Warning: What they don't tell you until the work is done is that you should not drive it right away - give it 24 hrs for the sealant to set. Otherwise, you risk a leak.

Odd, since all 3 times I used them, I drove the vehicles home from the shop nottaproblemo...

HOWEVER, they did tell me NOT to go thru any car washes (or DIY washing) for 24-48 hrs for the same reason...

 

[Steve Tanner]

Here in AZ between all the construction and "decorative gravel" on the highway, seems like I replace a windshield on one of our cars every 12-18 months. With the '17 Expy I requested specifically the OEM Ford SoundScreen glass because the last few replacements on other cars were less than impressive (visible distortions, higher wind noise, etc.). Nothing so bad that I could force them to replace it again, but I like how quiet the Expy is and wanted it to stay that way.

Had to wait an extra 3 weeks for them to change it, and they had to call for all sorts of approvals (and acted like I was making their job soooo difficult) but they eventually did it. USAA w/full-glass coverage FWIW.

 

[GlennSullivan]

That is what I told them, but they insist that I have a $200 deductible..

Look at the declarations page of your policy. As you can see below I have $500 for collision, $500 for comp and $0 for glass.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I ended up going with Mister Glass, they seemed to do a good job, but my insurance insisted that I had a $100 deductible even for glass, am with Allstate. The original windscreen was 18 years old and full of chips and marks, the new one, seems much clearer!! Hopefully there are no leaks..

 

[Jamo]

I've always had full glass coverage on all our vehicles. My wife's Ford Flex had a huge sunroof and of course it cracked at one corner (maybe why they call it a "Flex"?). Didn't leak but had to fix it as it was a lease. We were with State Farm at the time and they said no. Not just no, but no fix at all on them. WTF? I told them, and showed them, that I was paying for full glass, zero deductible. They said full glass doesn't cover sunroofs or heated mirrors. I argued to no avail and went elsewhere for all my insurance. The owner of our local Ford Dealer where we leased is a good friend, and he told us to not worry about it. We turned it in like that with no problems...

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I've always had full glass coverage on all our vehicles. My wife's Ford Flex had a huge sunroof and of course it cracked at one corner (maybe why they call it a "Flex"?). Didn't leak but had to fix it as it was a lease. We were with State Farm at the time and they said no. Not just no, but no fix at all on them. WTF? I told them, and showed them, that I was paying for full glass, zero deductible. They said full glass doesn't cover sunroofs or heated mirrors. I argued to no avail and went elsewhere for all my insurance. The owner of our local Ford Dealer where we leased is a good friend, and he told us to not worry about it. We turned it in like that with no problems...

I know ALOT of people who have had issues with SF making seemingly random but still ridiculous exceptions to their coverages, even though said exceptions were NOT expressly noted as such in the policy declarations...

I recently helped several of them file complaints with the state insurance commission, the BBB, Consumer Affairs Dept, and the local AG's office, but we are still awaiting any responses, so we'll see what happens there

In the meantime, most of them have switched to other insurers, some went with Nationwide (my insurer), some with Progressive, and others with Liberty ect...