Windscreen - Repair or replace?

[tomharringtont]

I've got a small chip in my windscreen, probably just under 10mm diameter, and about 20cm to the left of the centre of the steering wheel.

Windscreen repair/replace is covered by my insurance policy but I am keen for them to replace and not just repair.

The windscreen has some scratches on that were there when I bought the car and I don't want to see the repair on the windscreen.

Is there a way of ensuring the insurance company replaces the windscreen instead of repair it?

Any advice is much appreciated.

[MikeOxlong]

Yeah. I want a new windscreen. Replace it please.

Or just push firmly on the chip from the inside. Voilà! Cracked windscreen.

[chris1roll]

Yeah just make sure its cracked.

[tomharringtont]

If I just left it as it is and requested they changed it because it distracted me do you think they would go for that?

Not really keen on trying to force it to crack...that sort of thing never goes well for me....

[MikeOxlong]

I've done a few repairs where after I have explained what I'm going to do, what the risks are and what the likely result will be people have decided that they'd rather just have the screen replaced.
It's your car after all and you can do what you like with it.

[ScoobyChris]

I've only ever opted to have two chips/cracks repaired and both times they warned me that the crack could spread as a result. Sure enough, within a few days, the crack they'd filled had spread and the screen needed replacing anyway. If I'm ever in that position again I'd just ask for a new screen and pay the glass excess...

Chris

[tomharringtont]

If I just left it as it is and requested they changed it because it distracted me do you think they would go for that?

Not really keen on trying to force it to crack...that sort of thing never goes well for me....

[Glassman]

tomharringtont said:

If I just left it as it is and requested they changed it because it distracted me do you think they would go for that?

Not really keen on trying to force it to crack...that sort of thing never goes well for me....

Technically, they're supposed to make an assessment on behalf of the insurer. IME, nobody does. The insurer has no way of knowing, and he fitter is prolly thinking about the extra bonus he'll get for changing the screen.

If it is replaced, pray he does a good job.

[Riley Blue]

I had a screen replaced by my insurer's preferred installer. The first screen they sent was the wrong one. When the correct one was fitted it was out of square with a gap at a top corner and the fitter had sliced the plastic scuttle trim when he cut the bonding to remove the damaged one. A further screen was supplied and fitted - correctly this time.
When they sent a replacement scuttle panel it was for a LHD car and wouldn't fit (how they hell they managed to obtain a LHD part from the VIN I've no idea!). I waited and waited, phone calls and emails flew both ways but they never did fix it and I sold the car a year later still with the damaged trim.
Not all glass fitters are equal!