Getting "OEM-branded" glass via insurance? Possible?

[bungle]

Now I know I've done this in the past, but I'm talking 10+ years ago – I had to wait a couple of days for Autoglass (or whoever) to get it, but that was fine.

What's insurers' stance on this now? If I want OEM-branded glass vs (say) Pilkington, I am guessing the initial answer is "no", and I wonder how much I can push it without them saying "yeah you can have it but it will cost you £1k, etc" rather than the normal £75 excess.

Just wondered if anyone had tackled this in the recent past and how you got on? Insurer is Admiral. Thanks.

(yes, I can (and will) phone them, but wanted to know if others have managed to push (and get it) before I ring).

[maurauth]

Good luck with Admiral, that's all I can say.

[Sheepshanks]

Is there much 3rd party glass around?

This might be rubbish, but I've been told you generally get the same glass from the same factory, it's just the name on it that varies. That certainly appeared to be the case when we had an Ibiza screen replaced - colour and distortion (lack of) looked perfect.

[Digitalize]

For what it's worth, my BMW logo'd glass (side windows so assuming never replaced) are also Pilkington.

[Puddenchucker]

Sheepshanks said:

Is there much 3rd party glass around?

This might be rubbish, but I've been told you generally get the same glass from the same factory, it's just the name on it that varies. That certainly appeared to be the case when we had an Ibiza screen replaced - colour and distortion (lack of) looked perfect.

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that much of the glass fitted by windscreen replacement companies in the UK is made by Pilkington.
They also make OEM factory fitted glass as well, so could be the original supplier for a given vehicle.

[ecsrobin]

I had to get my insurer to replace my windscreen. Because it had rain sensors and auto lights the only option was OEM I was informed.

[MattYorke]

Last time I replaced a windscreen, it wasn't insured, but I thought I'd try autoglass for a private job. They confirmed it was not OEM glass, but would be happy to charge me the same price as OEM for it, plus labour on top. In the end, I bought the same non OEM glass for 20% of the price autoglass quoted me and fitted it myself.

[phil y]

I had a new rear screen fitted, after an unfortunate incident with a bed, a bungee cord, the boot lid and a speed bump.

Was surprised to see it was a genuine SEAT screen, but it may have been due to the fact that the car has factory tinted glass, so a colour match is guaranteed.

[Sheepshanks]

phil y said:

Was surprised to see it was a genuine SEAT screen, but it may have been due to the fact that the car has factory tinted glass, so a colour match is guaranteed.

That's why I was concerned about out Ibiza - the glass was a very distinctive colour. But as mentioned above, the replacement looked perfect.

[bungle]

Appreciate the comments along the lines of it's all the same, made by the same factory etc, but the OCD in me wants it to be the same as all the other glass (OEM-branded).

I'll have to study the T&Cs, and see what I can argue from there so I'm prepared when I phone. We'll see how it goes!

[LanceRS]

I had this with a rear side window last year. I told my insurance company that I wanted OEM glass to match what was in the car. Surprisingly their attitude was ' it's your car, you can have what you want in it'.
Of course Autoglass or whoever it was turned up with something else so I told him that the insurance company had authorised a proper replacement. He phoned his boss, I phoned my insurance company and he left to go and get the right one.
Tell them what you want for your car, after all you are their client. You could be pleasantly surprised .

[bungle]

Phoned Autoglass last night. They have to go back to Admiral for permission to use OEM glass, and this has to be done by the "billing team", who of course only work M-F 9-5, so they will ring Admiral on Monday and let me know.

But I will argue my case if they say no, as it just says "replace" in the T&Cs, and by replace I read it as like-for-like.

[jonwm]

I did some work with pilkington last year and visited their Latham head office, they make glass for most companies, bmw original glass was (at that time) made by pilkington anyway, it's just the stamp on the glass

[craigjm]

Depends on the car too. Every screen I've had in Porsches has been OEM Saint Gobain because I guess they don't sell enough cars to justify making a pattern

[Debaser]

A friend required new glass in his car, got OE parts fitted by claiming the warranty would be invalid if anything else was used.

[KingNothing]

What car is it for? I know the replacement Pilkington windscreen for the Focus has more noticeable heating elements in it when compared with the OEM Saint-Gobain glass, in that instance I'd want OEM.

[RenPug]

Admiral will authorise OEM glass if the vehicle is less than 3 years old. Any more than that and you will probably struggle.

[bungle]

RenPug said:

Admiral will authorise OEM glass if the vehicle is less than 3 years old. Any more than that and you will probably struggle.

hhhmmpphhh, yeah you're right.

After being given the runaround for 5 days / 5 different calls from me, by Autoglass (who say they will get Admiral to authorise it), it turns out Autoglass have done nothing, not even spoke to Admiral. They say Admiral will say no so we're not even gonna try. They weren't going to tell me this, they were just going to ignore me, and tell me "someone is dealing with it, I can't speak to them, nor can you, but I will email them for you(again)".

So I phoned Admiral tonight, and they say it's not covered for OEM if >3 years (as you say above). But the glass section makes no mention of this. (see below). They rely on a separate section of the policy, also below. But in my mind these 2 are totally separate. The bottom one is relating to a "proper" claim, where you pay your normal excess etc, and the windscreen section is totally separate, with its own T&Cs in that section about what is and isn't covered, and there is no "carve-out" for OEM >3 years, nor does it refer back to Section 1 (Damage to your car).

Admiral policy said:

1. Cover for your windscreen
We will pay:
■■ to repair or replace broken glass in your car’s windscreen, windows or sunroof
■■ to repair any scratching to the bodywork caused by the broken glass
As long as there has not been any other loss or damage.
Our Glass Repair Helpline (open 24 hours a day) is 0844 543 4426.
2. What is not covered
We will not pay:
■■ any excess shown on your current Policy Schedule. You are responsible for the
excess regardless of fault or the driver of your car
■■ for the replacement of the hood/roof structure of a convertible car when the glass
is not repairable
■■ for a courtesy car
■■ any windscreens or windows not made of glass e.g. Perspex
■■ more than £25 for each glass repair or £50 for each glass replacement after we
have deducted your excess, if the repair or replacement is not arranged via our
Glass Repair Helpline
■■ more than the market value of the car at the time of loss (less any excess)
Claims under this section will not affect your No Claims Bonus.
See also:
General Exceptions
General Conditions
Extra Conditions (endorsements).

Admiral policy said:

Damage to your car:
If your car is three years old or more, we may decide to repair it with recycled parts, or with parts
which have not been made by the car’s manufacturer, but are of a similar standard.).

yeah yeah 1st world problems, it's just an OEM stamp, but my car, what I want etc etc

Said I wasn't happy, someone will phone me back (hmm, right...).

[rcc2003]

So if your car needed painting in a bodyshop would you demand OME paint be used?

Personally I would be more worried about who is fitting the glass, it was originally fitted by a machine not a human.

[Fox-]

I appreciate the OP's concern. My E39 was, given it's age, fitted with non BMW marked glass when I last had a windscreen fitted.

It's made by Nordglass and it's crap - the biggest difference is that it has a block tint rather than the OEM graduated tint because apparently the after-market manufacturer doesn't match the BMW style of tint. Great. It's probably unrelated but the area around the rain sensor began to de-laminate after 6 months too.

So I'm sorry but all those who say 'Glass is Glass, it doesn't matter' are not, IMHO, correct.

I will be enormously annoyed if I ever need a new windscreen in my F10 and they refuse to fit the manufacturer marked glass (I suspect I'll probably lose, but I'll still be annoyed).

I wonder where I would stand warranty wise with this? My car is under manufacturer warranty and I'd imagine the second an aftermarket screen goes in any issues with the camera system, rain sensor etc etc will no longer be covered by the warranty as they'll just blame the screen. Ditto head up display etc?

Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 3rd June 21:11