New windscreen time.............

[Nat]

Got a nice bullet hole right in the middle of the  drivers field of vision . Its a clear case of new windscreen. My insurance company have auto windscreens as their repairer. However I have read a post that suggests that unless BMW replace the windscreen themselves then if there is a warranty  clam , such as  rust around the windscreen , trim issues , wind noise or worse still water in the electrics behind the screen it will not be covered. I hate these glass replacement companies, they take no care , scrape off the old sealant taking off the paint and leaving bare metal,  and once the new screen is in you have no way of knowing how bad a job they have done . Also  they 100% WONT let you watch whilst they do it citing health and safety law.........
Anyone got any recommendations or comments about the above BMW warranty rumour or auto windscreens ?

Regards,
Nat.

[Nat]

Just answered my own question. I have just spoken to  BMW, who  confirm that if the windscreen is replaced by a third party and there is a subsequent claim for paint /corrosion/trim/noise or water ingress they will NOT pay out on a warranty claim. Given the amount of sensitive electrics in that dashboard its a BMW replace only item as far as I am concerned.
I guess this is where the wrangling may  well start with the insurance company, although you never know, it may just turn out to be straightforward.

regards,
Nat.

[X5Sport]

I was with Aviva when this happened to me.....twice....on my E53!

No argument from insurers although I had to pay and claim it back.  £700 a time in 2005 & 2006.  Car out of action for 8 hours to allow the glue to cure.  The windscreen is an integral part of the body.

I pointed out to Aviva that if they insisted that I use their repairers then they would have to indemnify the parts BMW no longer covered.  They were happy with that given the cost of the screen was much cheaper than the potential for the indemnity. 

[Nat]

2 Phone calls later and the answer was take your car to your BMW dealer and get them to replace the windscreen. You pay the excess of £150 and get them to call us and we will settle the balance.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

[Don Coffey]

Great result. I have to admit I wouldn't have known any better and gone along with auto glass or who ever the insurance firm used.

Don

[X5Sport]

Excellent result.

[Denis O]

Along the lines of this thread, there is a thread running on PH at the moment about windscreen claims and the fact that they must be advised to your insurance company when doing the proposal thing. It's under the any claims or accidents in the last 5 years.

It will not affect your NCB but will be part of your claims history so premiums could rise as a consequence.

I was certainly under the impression that you didn't even need to tell insurance companies about windscreen claims and have never done so. Thankfully the last one was a P38 Range Rover, about 15 years ago; well outside the 5 year criteria.

[Nat]

I would have thought insurance companies would automatically adjust the premium to reflect the fact if there is a windscreen claim on certain makes of cars that the cost of windscreen replacement will be higher than if autoglass or auto windscreens do it.
I have to say with my 5 series, I had the original BMW screen in it for 10 years and it looked like someone had shot it with a blunderbuss , then it received one stone to many and cracked. Auto glass was where it had to go , and within the week that allegedly just as good OE quality  screen broke with the first stone it received and it properly cracked right across the entire screen. The second went the same way a month later. I am also not enamoured with the way auto glass  they fit them. I asked to be present and they point blank refused citing " elf and bollox " .  They swear their screens  are  the same quality as the screens screen as fitted by BMW just without the " logo " on it. I cannot prove otherwise but my personal experience suggests otherwise. Strange that BMW insist on the screen glue " setting " overnight yet these glass companies say its ok to use after 2 hours. I cant believe they use better glue either.
My car is under warranty and unless you will indemnify me for the next 10 years or as long as I own the car against any claims that BMW won't pay for its going to BMW to have the screen fitted.
Thank you.

Regards,
Nat.