A rock hit my windshield on the way home tonight. It started as a star but a crack developed and it's grown to 6-8 inches. The damage is on the passenger side and doesn't extend much into the area cleaned by the wipers.

Is it worth trying to get it repaired instead of replaced? I'm a grad student for one more year, so if a repair will hold until I graduate and have some cash, that's cool.

I called my insurance company and [boring details cut] it will cost $475 to replace the windshield through their guys. I have a $500 deductible so it looks like there's nothing to gain by going through USAA. Anyone know a reputable place that's cheaper? (2005 Mazda 3 hatchback)

5/5/2006 8:52:42 PM

They can only repair it if its smaller than the size of a quarter, and then not always. If its running and its 6 to 8 inches, its not repairable.

Seriously the best folks pricewise and qualitywise around are Diamond Auto Glass that also go by Triumph Auto Glass. Call them up, they can give you a quote and will come right to your house or work and fix the thing in your yard.

I have gotten quotes with them for several different makes and models and had them do my wifes Buick LeSabre for like $275. They gave me the same quote for my Z-28 convertibles windshield.

5/5/2006 9:36:05 PM

might also check with safelight autoglass, they came by my house and replaced mine, but I can't remember how much it was...give them a call and see

[Edited on May 6, 2006 at 3:06 PM. Reason : it might be spelled safelite]

5/6/2006 3:05:46 PM

call glassmasters. if you have full coverage insurance w/a $100 or less comp. deductible, they'll pay it and you get a new windshield for free and even file the claim for you.

5/6/2006 4:06:02 PM

^ i did that and it was really easy. buddy stepped on my windshied when it was folded down bongin a beer lady at glassmasters said a rock in a construction site hit it while i was driving. needless to say i got a free windshield and it didn't affect my insurance at all

5/6/2006 5:37:28 PM

Go to RJ&G on western thoes guys are nice and good. They say safelite uses an inferior glass, you have to go to a real shop if you want OEM quality glass. I didnt know there was much of a difference, but there is. Plus i would be weary about them doin it at your house, apparently your car shoudnt be moved until it comepletey cures, like 4 hours.

5/6/2006 5:40:08 PM

Is there any way you can like bump up your insurance to full coverage, get all these repairs done, and then get it down to just liability later?

5/7/2006 12:49:09 AM

^^The guys that come to your house if they are good will tell you not to move it.

When we get the rentals cars done, the Diamond guys always tell us "Need to let it sit for 4 hours before ya rent it back out" etc. etc. We usually don't fucking listen to them, but I let the Buick sit for almost 24 hours before I moved it when they did my car just to make sure the bitch was cured.

5/7/2006 10:37:01 AM

^^ I have full coverage. Replacement will cost less than my $500 deductible.

Thanks for the company suggestions guys. I have some quotes and I'll make make more calls tomorrow.

5/7/2006 1:35:16 PM

should be $50 if you claim it, thats what i had to pay

5/7/2006 2:03:07 PM

^^why do you even have comprehensive coverage if you are going to have a $500 deductible? you do understand the difference between collision and comprehensive, right?

5/7/2006 3:58:43 PM

so, can someone answer me?

What's the key to switching insurance coverage, getting work done on your car, and reverting back to plain liability.

5/7/2006 4:04:21 PM

nobody likes you so i doubt you'll get an answer.

5/7/2006 4:07:26 PM

I guess that means people don't know?

5/7/2006 4:07:55 PM

I have comprehensive primarily for theft and it's worth the $75/year for that. I also have an old tree that drops limbs and I'm concerned about a direct hit on the car one of these days.

5/7/2006 4:50:34 PM

Comp claims also cover if a deer runs out and hits your car in the side or you plowed into it or other "Acts of God" like wind damage. My fucking Z-28 sits under a big ass oak tree with a couple of branches big enough they could probably destroy the car. Hell one fell out in a storm a month or two ago that was bigger than the car and landed next to it. Shit like this is why I keep comp on it with a $500 deductible.

You could try to pull some shit like that on your insurance company, but some require an inspection to add comp/collision, others don't. When I switched to Farm Bureau my agent never looked at any of our 3 cars even though the Buick had a fucking huge crack down the entire windshield. I could have claimed it on comp, but it just wasn't the right thing to do, so I coughed up for the replacement myself. But Geico will require an inspection to add comp/collision to any car so that they don't have people try and do shit like you were suggesting.

You can probably try and pull some shit like that though. Might be seen as a questionable move though and might even get flagged for possible insurance fraud if you add coverage, get something fixed on comp, and then promptly drop the coverage.

5/7/2006 5:00:48 PM

^^^ Ever heard of Insurance fraud (pretty sure its a federal offence) you could try it, but its not worth it...

5/7/2006 5:04:31 PM

that answers my question

5/7/2006 7:14:35 PM

ppg autoglass

OEM quality

5/8/2006 11:08:46 PM

PPG pretty much makes the majority of something like 90% of car class anyways,

5/9/2006 9:59:19 PM

yep

5/10/2006 1:44:53 AM