[AltecBX]

I'm going in to dealer today to get windshield replaced. How can I go about the insurance company paying for it? The insurance company said they will replace it for free of charge if I take it to Safelite. By me going to BMW, they will install an OEM glass piece.

[Ryan323i]

I have Allstate and currently need to get my windshield replaced. Most insurance companies let you pick the shop I thought. What I did was file my claim over the phone, got an estimate from my dealership, and then faxed Allstate the estimate (I had to do this because the dealership is obviously not one of Allstate's recommended shops). They ok'd the price and now I have an appointment to get it replaced. The only thing that sucks is that my dealership doesn't bill through insurance so I have to pay up front and then get reimbursed.

I was in the same boat as you, wanted to make sure OEM glass was used and the repair was done right.

[rambalu80]

I had mine replaced at the dealership and paid in full because my deductible is $500.00 but the OEM replacement cost me $395.00.

[AltecBX]

Dealer just told the part is $420. Is going to be well above that installed. Geico just told me that they will only cover what their shops like Safelite installs. I know someone who had electrical problem when done through safelite. Water was going in without him knowing.

[Ryan323i]

Originally Posted by AltecBX

Dealer just told the part is $420. Is going to be well above that installed. Geico just told me that they will only cover what their shops like Safelite installs. I know someone who had electrical problem when done through safelite. Water was going in without him knowing.

My quote was around $950 for parts labor and tax. My Dad had his windshield replaced years ago by a Safelite type place and it creaked when going over bumps and the mirror rattled all the time after the replacement.

It's possible that your dealer has another company come in to do windshield replacements like mine does. You can find out who your dealership contracts through and see if your insurance company will pay to have that shop do the replacement. If you go directly to the contracted company, I'm sure the quote would be less than going through the dealership.

[AltecBX]

Originally Posted by Ryan323i

It's possible that your dealer has another company come in to do windshield replacements like mine does. You can find out who your dealership contracts through and see if your insurance company will pay to have that shop do the replacement. If you go directly to the contracted company, I'm sure the quote would be less than going through the dealership.

Thanks, I'm going to call my dealer and find out.
I just got off the phone with Geico and they told me I cant do the claim because the coverage wasn't on my policy and now they want proof that I fixed my glass before they add this to the policy.

Safelite is quoting me installed windshield at:
$431.90 aftermarket green shade band
$571.90 OEM
$729.90 aftermarket gray shade band

Dealership is quoting me installed windshield at:
$1315 + tax

[cb1111]

A few thoughts on windshield replacements

1. Even the dealership subs glass repairs to a third party - often to the same Safelite guy you would use - but - the BMW is your one point of contact if something goes wrong, rather than the glass guy going "that's BMW's fault" or "yeah, we'll order the part that broke, call us back in a year" while the dealer says "not BMW's fault, go sue the glass guy."

The glass people tried to replace my glass on my S6 4 times (always ordered the wrong glass) and it took Audi twice to get the right glass. The same glass guy that tried to install the wrong glass in my car twice at my house did the install at the dealership. He managed to break my mirror which Audi covered without question.

Had I done the install at Salelite/Autoglass/Whatever, then I would have had to argue about the glass.

2. With the exception of a few states (or those that have separate glass coverage,) glass is covered under the comprehensive portion of your insurance - that deductible applies and it won't affect your rates.

2.1 Check with your insurance company about lowering the deductible on your comp portion. I went from a $1000 deductible to a $100 deductible and my rates went up by $46 a year - generally, a low deductible on comp is cheap. The collision portion is where a low deductible costs lots of cash.

2.2 Most insurance companies will waive the deductible if you can fix - rather than replace - damaged glass. Depending on the damage, you might be able to get it fixed without it being visible (at least to anyone but you.) I had a rock chip the windshield of my 3 day old Yukon years ago. It was up quite high and after the repair it looked like a tiny bug splatter. It bothered me until I stuck my oil change sticker over it. My wife kept asking why I'd always slightly move the sticker every time I got the oil changed and she just shook her head when I explined it - she kept saying that she never even saw it.

[bmwconcordcollision]

BMW has a glass certification program, make sure the dealer that you go to is glass certified. This means that they do their own installation, only with BMW products. Your windshield is a structural part of your car and needs to be installed correctly not just for cosmetic reasons but safety. If you are having problems with your insurance company steering you to Safelight or another vendor check out BMW Performance insurance (by Liberty Mutual)
They only use OEM parts and from my experience the cost of the policy is no more than most, in fact for me it was less expensive than my existing one with State farm.

[AltecBX]

Cb1111 thanks for the advice. I added glass coverage and now I'm paying $47 every 6 months. They want me to supply them mow with a receipt tat I fixed the glass before they add on the coverage.

I'm going to go through Safelite as they will install an oem glass. It'll be the same glass from seeker with the BMW sticker.