Tell me about windscreen replacement. 987 Boxster

[JW911]

Mrs JW911's Boxster has a crack in the windscreen, caused by a stone, which now requires replacement.

She's insured with Tesco whose contractor is National Windscreens and it's the usual £75 for a replacement - Pilkington annoyingly, not OEM. They will only pay £100 towards anything other than their contractor so OEM by the dealer would be a large number of £££s which we don't want to pay.

Now, research shows that the service at National Windscreens (as with everyone else) will probably be a bit variable and could be anything from perfect to Monkeys R Us. Is there anything I can do to ensure that they don't cock it up please, short of standing over them with a shotgun?

Thanks.

[lolbert]

You are entirely within your rights to insist that a proper company such as Glasstec does it and gets it right. You just need to apply some pressure on your insurer - say you have had a bad experience previously with a franchised fitter etc.

[dibblecorse]

When you book it in with the windscreen people ask they send someone that as done them before on Porsches, when the operator gets there, ask him to confirm, all should be good, if he can't send him away, also request email confirmation of your appointment and reply to that outlining theor agreement to sending someone appropriate along.

[Miopyk]

I had mine replaced earlier this year as I had a crack in it from a stone chip and my Insurer refused to let me use a repairer of my choice as my car is now 5 years old (I don't know why this made a difference) but National Windscreens did send someone out with previous experience and I have to say the guy did a great job.

Be cautious by all means and make it clear how unhappy you will be if they screw up.

Miopyk

[JW911]

Thanks folks. Will keep a close eye on them.

[zap mc]

When you allow the insurance companies nominated supplier into the chain then you lose the power of control and it is structured this way to play on people not wanting to dip their hand in their pocket. Try opting for a route whereby you pay for it first and then reclaim it later thereby retaining control of the process with a supplier of your choice.

You may be interested to know that for a company to apply "dissimilar trading conditions" to different suppliers is illegal under the Competition Act 1998 and you may want to remind Tesco ( direct line ) of this oversight. The only statutory defence to this law is that the contract benefits the customer in some way which is clearly not the case here. Ask Tesco to explain how their policy accords with the law as having a £100 top limit for other suppliers is illegal in my opinion as an insurer is in a dominant position in the market due to us being required to have insurance by law.

Windscreen insurance is becoming increasingly restrictive and of less and less real value to policyholders with excesses rising every year and it will not be too long before it becomes obsolete.

[crossy67]

Holy thread resurrection.

I am liking you Mr Zapman. The truth that is conveniently forgotten, even by the people who should enforce the laws.

[CGJJ]

GLASSMAN

[CGJJ]

GLASSMAN

[blueSL]

I've had a number of windscreens replaced over the years and my experience is that it is better to take it in to somewhere rather than have a guy turn up in a van and do it on your driveway. That said, I had the windscreen of my Impreza replaced by one such and he did a good job, no problems with water leaks or cosmetics.