Windscreen replacement claiming on insurance

[Ross_328i_sport]

Hi,

Looking for some advice my car has developed quite a large crack across the windscreen and the MOT is due shortly with the crack within the field of vision this will be an instant fail.

Having evaluated my options and checked my insurance policy details claiming on the insurance is the easiest and most cost effective solution.

I therefore have one question is it easier for me to raise the claim with the insurance company or deal direct with Auto Glass for example and let them deal with the insurance company to settle the claim?

Insurance provider is Direct Line if this makes a difference (Fully comp insurance).

Thanks in advance

Ross

[Curry Burns]

Phone direct line, they have a windscreen line I think.

[DocJock]

IIRC my wife's DL policy suggests phoning Autoglass directly.
There's even a phone number on the policy documents.

[Spudler]

A lot of insurance Co glass phone No is direct to Autoglass etc.

[Engineer1]

Go through your insurer, even if you end up ringing autoglass the fact you rang on the number they gave out to direct line means you followed the policy. It would be a bh to be presented with the bill because you didn't follow the procedure, car windows aren't cheap possibly as most people purchase them on insurance.

[Glassman]

Engineer1 said:

Go through your insurer, even if you end up ringing autoglass the fact you rang on the number they gave out to direct line means you followed the policy. It would be a bh to be presented with the bill because you didn't follow the procedure, car windows aren't cheap possibly as most people purchase them on insurance.

The car owner should have the freedom to choose where his car goes for the best service.

[Flintstone]

Glassman said:

Engineer1 said:

Go through your insurer, even if you end up ringing autoglass the fact you rang on the number they gave out to direct line means you followed the policy. It would be a bh to be presented with the bill because you didn't follow the procedure, car windows aren't cheap possibly as most people purchase them on insurance.

The car owner should have the freedom to choose where his car goes for the best service.

But you know as well as we do that if he steps outside the policy terms and conditions they needn't pay him.

OP. Do as your policy says.

[Glassman]

Flintstone said:

But you know as well as we do that if he steps outside the policy terms and conditions they needn't pay him

Not always, and I can give you quite a few examples to support this.

[Flintstone]

Glassman said:

Flintstone said:

But you know as well as we do that if he steps outside the policy terms and conditions they needn't pay him

Not always, and I can give you quite a few examples to support this.

Policy terms and conditions are the basis of a contract. Fail to abide by the terms of a contract and you are in breach. Insurers love it when people fail to abide by the terms and conditions, it's an instant get out. The fact that some might not have exercised the option in the past is no guarantee that others won't.

OP. Do as your policy says if you want to get paid out. Alternatively take what a stranger tells you on an internet forum and take your chances. Your call.

[Plotloss]

Flintstone said:

Fail to abide by the terms of a contract and you are in breach.

Not if the terms of the contract are themselves in breach of a law.

[Flintstone]

Plotloss said:

Flintstone said:

Fail to abide by the terms of a contract and you are in breach.

Not if the terms of the contract are themselves in breach of a law.

Fairly safe bet that the section of a policy relating to windscreens isn't.

[Glassman]

Flintstone said:

OP. Do as your policy says if you want to get paid out. Alternatively take what a stranger tells you on an internet forum and take your chances. Your call.

18 years in the industry; 12 of them working for Autoglass and Auto Windscreens. Six years ago I started my own business to help people like the OP.

My company bills insurance companies on behalf of policyholders (and gets paid) as well as sorts out a lot of cars that have been butchered by some of the technicians working for the companies which many insurances companies steer their policyholders to.

Some of these insurance companies also call my company to step in when things don't quite go how everybody would want to... etc etc.