[yohanesaw]

My front windshield just got hit by rock yesterday afternoon, and it made a crack. It was very long but tiny, you won't see it from afar. But, it's there. I decided to claim to my insurance, AAA. I called them and we went through all the procedure, and agreed that it needs to be replaced. At the end, he offered me couple shop but I refused, I want BMW dealership, of course. As the policy mentions I can choose any shop I prefer, he agreed. Then, he put me on hold, tried to contact my dealer. He's back to me and said nobody picked up the phone so he can't get estimation. Then, he said that if the BMW charge more than their estimation, $501.50. I'm responsible for the rest. I contacted my agent and he said "Yes, BMW will charge 4 times than the glass worth" and he also mentioned that they worked with those shops for years I knew BMW would charge for around $1000, I already called them yesterday. Is it ok to replace the windshield other than BMW dealership? What should I do? Please share your thought and advice...

Thanks

[radgator1]

I have AAA insurance. Isn't there a deductible on the windsheild replacement?

[yohanesaw]

Yes. I have $250 deductible meaning If I go to BMW dealer, I got charge $250 + $500 extra for having BMW charge more than what they estimated

[Maestro]

Many time who ever does the repair will accept what insurance will cover. I bet is you went to BMW and told them you insurance is paying and they will only pay $500 they will do it for $500.

[AJ M2 comp]

Just tell AAA to get an estimate using the OEM glass.

[zimbim]

If you call your insurance agent, they usually know what companies have good replacement windshields and who installs the crappy stuff.

[evoi19]

Originally Posted by yohanesaw

Yes. I have $250 deductible meaning If I go to BMW dealer, I got charge $250 + $500 extra for having BMW charge more than what they estimated

I have a "glass protection" with AAA and it's a $50 deductible that is separate from my comprehensive/collision deductibles. I'm also on a flex plan, so maybe that's a bit different.

[rog5878]

I don't have AAA and my experience may not apply but here goes.
I have Nationwide (agent in Md.); live in Va.; and, had to replace my windshield last summer on my 2001 540iA. Nationwide wanted me to use non OEM glass. I said no. They then said that I did not have OEM replacement on my insurance and would have to go with non-OEM glass. I responded that they never informed me that such coverage was available.

I insisted on OEM. Bottom line -- it turns out that there was no non-OEM windshield replacement for the 540iA and even their installer would have to get OEM glass. The local dealership gave me the name of their sub-contract installer for windshields and Nationwide agreed to pay them. Since it was windshield replacement, I did not have to pay a deductible.

After this arduous merry-go-round of telephone calls and replacement of the windshield, it turns out that the State of Va (allegedly) does not allow insurance companies to offer OEM supplements to their car insurance -- according to Nationwide. I never tried to verify this with the state.

So, get the OEM windshield and have your insurance cover the entire amount. I suggest that you get your dealer to identify the installer. It might save some money.

Good luck.

[anerbe]

the dealership should have fixed prices for windshield replacement, dependant on vehicle. get the exact cost, and contact your insurance.

[radgator1]

Damn, I have AAA and have like 1000.00 deductible but I have 1.5 million in coverage. I need to look into that glass protection program.

[pacman]

i was quoted around 1000 by the bmw dealership for replacing the windshield.
It was a while ago but i remember the dealership telling me that they wont deal with the insurance guys. I would have to pay out of pocket and then deal with the insurance guys myself. I went with safelite (www.safelite.com) instead. They ordered OEM windshield and came down to my office to replace it. They did a great job and am happy with their work.

[yohanesaw]

Originally Posted by radgator1

Damn, I have AAA and have like 1000.00 deductible but I have 1.5 million in coverage. I need to look into that glass protection program.

How much is your premium? What is 1.5 million coverage for?

I already predicted that the front windshield incident most likely happen so I decided to take 250 deductible instead of 1000 otherwise I have to pay 1000 for replacing windshield, there's no point having insurance. I wasn't aware of the glass protection. Now, I'm thinking to get 1000 deductible plus 50 deductible for glass protection program

[1clean335i]

Go with an OEM windshield... it will save you a world of trouble down the road...

example- I had an X5 come into the shop a few weeks ago and the complaint was the auto wiper function was inop and headlights sometimes wont turn on automatically at night. come to find out, the windshield was previously replaced outside of a bmw dealer, with a non bmw windshield and the optical element of the rain/light sensor on the actual windshield was defective, and therefore it needed another windshield and was not covered by bmw.

[yohanesaw]

Originally Posted by pacman

i was quoted around 1000 by the bmw dealership for replacing the windshield.
It was a while ago but i remember the dealership telling me that they wont deal with the insurance guys. I would have to pay out of pocket and then deal with the insurance guys myself. I went with safelite (www.safelite.com) instead. They ordered OEM windshield and came down to my office to replace it. They did a great job and am happy with their work.

they offered me safelite, too. Which dealership were you at? BMW Mountain View? I already talked to Stevens Creek BMW for quote. After I got quote, I mentioned that I need to inform my insurance. But, they didn't say anything like not dealing with insurance.

[radgator1]

Originally Posted by yohanesaw

How much is your premium? What is 1.5 million coverage for?

I already predicted that the front windshield incident most likely happen so I decided to take 250 deductible instead of 1000 otherwise I have to pay 1000 for replacing windshield, there's no point having insurance. I wasn't aware of the glass protection. Now, I'm thinking to get 1000 deductible plus 50 deductible for glass protection program

I actually dont know what my premium is because my wife pays it but I have both my home and my autos with AAA and they offer a balloon type coverage on both home and auto in case I kill or mame someone and they or their family decide they hit the lotto and want to live off my income for life. It doesn't really cost much more and gives you piece of mind when you get a little older like me (44) and your earnings start getting higher.

[evoi19]

Weatherford BMW is the same way. You pay out of pocket and the insurance company will reimburse you minus the deductible. Or...you can go the body shop that the dealer uses and see if they can take your insurance.

[Roundelman]

Most dealers don't really change the windshield themselves. They just call the glass guys and they come out to the lot. So, you're fine going with a reputable glass company like Binswanger or Safelite, just specify OEM glass.

[Ty Vil]

Whatever you do, insist on OE glass.

We actually had a thread on our local CCA board where my establishment was the cheapest place for OE glass. I was slightly surprised.

[yohanesaw]

How do I know they replace with OEM glass?

Thanks for all advices

[LyriCeZ]

Originally Posted by yohanesaw

How do I know they replace with OEM glass?

Thanks for all advices

I would think if you requested it and then signed the estimate before the work and it said OEM glass on it and they didn't use OEM glass. Then you would be able to sue the pants off them, I doubt they would want that. Just be sure to keep all the paper work you get from the repair shop, something you should always do anyway. Besides they make a lot of money on these things OEM or not. So it usually doesn't matter to them unless they are not a legitimate shop.

[pacman]

Originally Posted by yohanesaw

they offered me safelite, too. Which dealership were you at? BMW Mountain View? I already talked to Stevens Creek BMW for quote. After I got quote, I mentioned that I need to inform my insurance. But, they didn't say anything like not dealing with insurance.

safelite is pretty good..... yup the dealership was bmw of mountain view.... i only had a $100 deductible for the windshield.... ask your insurance agent coz usually the deductible for windshields is much less..... also dont forget to get the oem windshield (with rain sensors).... safelite will order it for you... they will need ur VIN number and will order the suitable one for u.... u can make out it is an oem windshield coz it has the bmw emblem on the lower left corner

[my335iturbo]

I paid $100 deductible plus they did it on site. It only took them less than an hour to put it on. Yeah, make sure you ask for the oem windshield and their warranty policy.