Glass replacement recommendations

[MacMini34]

Hey all,

My windshield took a good smack from a rock last year, on the passenger side, leaving a noticeable chip. Over winter this morphed into a decent sized crack about 10cm long. Insurance will cover it (yay!), but was wondering what people's experience with various glass replacers is. I went through Safelite's website to see what is needed. I was also told Allstate does on the spot glass replacement. I expect it will come down to how good the particular individual who does the job is, but was looking for some input. There is a hatched pattern on the original glass around the upper sensor-camera area. Is this for anything important? I'm in Massachusetts if anyone has a super-duper recommendation.

cheers
MacMini34

 

[brianc35]

Safelite did my wife's car a few years ago. it has all the sensors up behind the rearview mirror as well. They are trained to re-program things.
They did it in my driveway in about 30 min. All I had to do was unlock the car.

Try to request "OEM Glass". sometimes the aftermarket glass itself are cheaper/crap.

if something doesn't work, call insurance and they will send them out again to fix it.

 

[Brawndo]

This is my 3rd Mini so I've had many cracked windshields. I've used Safelite every time with mixed results. I've had a-pillar trim fly off on the highway. I've had aftermarket chip again within a week of install. Latest issue with the 3rd gen was they "forgot" to order the top trim piece after having my car for a full day.

It's a crapshoot but at least Safelite is a large corporation that does warranty the work.

 

[ColdCase]

I had the dealer change mine. They used OEM glass and parts, insurance was happy to cover it.They did a good job, but the passenger side wiper has a tendency to chatter at the near full down position. Perhaps a wiper blade that is having difficulty with the curvature.

Years ago a different insurance company suggested I use their Safelite contract and they had to come back and fix leaks several times. Eventually they would not answer my call and I fixed it myself. So it is hit or miss. As most things now days, it is highly dependent on the tech you get.