Return of Toureg from PCP - Crack on Windscreen

[tony wright]

Brother in Law asked today for my thoughts on his windscreen.

A small stone chip has turned into little crack at the bottom of his windscreen no more than an inch long. He called his insurance who in turn sent a windscreen repairer to his house and attempted a repair without success. He was then informed a repair wasn't possible and his screen was absolutely fine with little chance of the crack spreading. This has been reported to his insurance who are now happy that everything is fine and he has nothing to worry about, case closed. He is now worried that when it comes to returning his car in 5 months time, VW may bill him for new screen. Any thoughts I can pass on?

[treetops]

Start saving.

[miniman]

What he definitely shouldn't do is to lean on the screen to make the crack spread until it's big enough for the insurance to replace the screen. No siree.

[r129sl]

Windscreens are surprisingly cheap. Why not replace it?

[Glassman]

miniman said:

What he definitely shouldn't do is to lean on the screen to make the crack spread until it's big enough for the insurance to replace the screen. No siree.

Does 'leaning' on a damaged screen made it worse?

[Truckosaurus]

Ring your PCP provider and ask what their rule for fair wear and tear on a windscreen is and what the 'fine' for having a worse crack is. Then get a quote from some windscreen firms. Go with whatever is cheapest.

[tony wright]

So the majority suggest VW will charge him? If so, can he demand the insurance replace it as he will only have the excess to pay?

Does leaning on it really work? If so, should be no problem for him as he must weigh over 20 stone

[steve-5snwi]

Throw a big stone at another part of the windscreen

[Markbarry1977]

Wait for the first frost of the winter then poor boiling hot water over it. That works.

Go on ask me how I know. Yep, you guessed right, in my youth and late for work I did just that. Bloody thing cracked then shattered.

[bqf]

steve-5snwi said:

Throw a big stone at another part of the windscreen

Bizarrely, this, from personal experience, is the very best answer.

[silver1011]

For it to then bounce off and hit the paintwork? No thanks!

If after checking the small print from your contract it is decided you will need to pay for a new screen then simply push the end of the crack with your thumb, it'll soon spread far enough to make it a valid windscreen repair.

Pay your windscreen excess and forget all about it.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Glassman said:

Does 'leaning' on a damaged screen made it worse?

Yes, a crack will extend. As you presumably are well aware Mr Glassman...

[Glassman]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Glassman said:

Does 'leaning' on a damaged screen made it worse?

Yes, a crack will extend. As you presumably are well aware Mr Glassman...

I'm sure the man can speak for himself; the question was emphasising on his suggestion that leaning would have an affect on a break. I just wanted to understand what kind of leaning he was referring to.

[T16OLE]

He could possibly, very misforutunously, have an additional larger crack appear on another part of the screen without the possibility of repair.