Windshield replacement - Dealer or Glass outfit?

[Garandman]

I absorbed a BMF rock. No cost difference as it's covered by insurance, but is there anything to choose between a dealer or a place like JN Phillips?

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[remotehuman]

Unless the dealer has a body shop they are most likely going to send your car to a company like that. I recommend Tiny and Sons, they are the company our dealer uses. They just replaced my windshield last month and it came out great (argued with insurance for a factory replacement.. almost a $1000 dollar job)

[KD7000]

I've probably had 8 windshields done by JN Phillips.

The last time they came, they even brought extra strips of that non-velcro fastener used to hold Fastlane transponders to the glass.

They're completely awesome.

[xrocket21]

I just had mine done by jn phillips, they came to my work. great job too.

[RSblood]

Just had mine done by Safelite through insurance, they were ok. Car has a few knicks on the inside where he had trouble removing the old glass.

I *think* by law you can request OEM glass at no extra cost through your insurance.

[remotehuman]

Originally Posted by RSblood

I *think* by law you can request OEM glass at no extra cost through your insurance.

Unless you have Allstate and none of the agents over the phone know ANYTHING

They wanted to charge me $500 dollar deducible for the windshield. I was like ummm not in MA. Took almost 2 hours going from person to person to get them to understand our law.. apparently they are fairly new here

[Jack ffr1846]

If you go to JN Philips, they'll ask for your insurance agent (or company) and do all the claim work for you. My LGT has a new windshield from them. It's been driven maybe 10 miles since the installation. They were able to do it on a rainy day in MY garage. It was the most convienant thing for me and has been great. 0 deductable in Mass. The number was on the receipt and the windshield was like $279, IIRC.

[ETacv]

Isn't the $0 deductible not always the case now that MA has allowed companies to sell insurance at their own rates?

I still have $0 deductible for glass, and will only use Tiny and Sons. They've given me a factory replacement each time with no hassle from insurance and great have great workmanship.

[DJHiRoller]

I just had my windshield done in my wrx a few weeks ago. I'm super anal about the car and was pleasantly surprised by how it turned out.

I decided to go through a dealer (Clay) because I figured if the install was borked or my car damaged, I now have another party involved that should have some interest in making it right. The install was done at the dealer.

Clay works with Modern Glass. They put me in touch with them and I must say Modern was extremely helpful in dealing with my insurance. I spent two days on the phone with MetLife arguing for an OEM windshield. MetLife finally agreed to meet me halfway on the price. So even if at first your insurance says no to an OEM replacement, now that MA is a more competitive insurance marketplace, you can squeeze more out of them if you put the time in.

Good luck.

[Garandman]

Do I want an OEM windshield? I don't want OEM clutches, tires, brake pads, etc.....

[remotehuman]

Originally Posted by Garandman

Do I want an OEM windshield? I don't want OEM clutches, tires, brake pads, etc.....

What's wrong with an oem clutch?

Oem vs non oem windshield= it says Subaru.

Aftermarket they may install a non wrx/sti specific windshield though, they are lighter.

[__raj]

Safe lite is absolute garbage....

My current safe lite windshield has distortion on our 05 LGT. It looks like a fun house when you move your head up/down. Also it cracked across the entire bottom recently starting right where the windshield heater is. It was not hit.

I am going to see if they replace the entire thing for free since my insurance supposedly warranties it. Otherwise I am out $100 deductible.

Back when I owned a 88 Jetta GLI 16v they put in 4 windshields due to leakage and finally realized my Jetta was the rarer one built in Germany instead of Mexico. They ordered OEM glass no leaks and heavenly.

/RANT

[hqp921]

Originally Posted by ETacv

Isn't the $0 deductible not always the case now that MA has allowed companies to sell insurance at their own rates?

I still have $0 deductible for glass, and will only use Tiny and Sons. They've given me a factory replacement each time with no hassle from insurance and great have great workmanship.

I think you might be right.

I've had to replace my windshield TWICE this winter -- both times at JN Philips. Stupid rocks and highway commuting.

First time was at their place in Franklin, MA. Second time, they came to my work (Warwick, RI). No complaints with their work.

- HP

[Mike Wevrick]

JN Phillips did my WRX windshield when it cracked from a rock chip. No complaints. I agree with the comment above that a dealer will just send it out to a glass shop anyway

[vision.dynamix]

JNPhilips for PPG Glass.

[SnowgodCCR]

1-800-54-GIANT

Call. Giant. Glass.

That is all I can think of in this thread, other than the time that Safelight came and did my windshield in my driveway. It worked out purdy well.

[This Is Not Mike]

Originally Posted by remotehuman

What's wrong with an oem clutch?

Oem vs non oem windshield= it says Subaru.

Aftermarket they may install a non wrx/sti specific windshield though, they are lighter.

The windshield is lighter too?

I know the back glass on the STi is lighter, but that's interesting about the front windshield.

[audio1der]

Anyone in Ri want to chime in on this curious how the ins works in this dump.

[vision.dynamix]

Originally Posted by This Is Not Mike

The windshield is lighter too?

I know the back glass on the STi is lighter, but that's interesting about the front windshield.

STI Windshield is lighter.

Know how they make it lighter? It's thinner. On a street car, I'd prefer the thicker glass, but that's just me. I can take a dump that's heavier than the weight difference..

[remotehuman]

Originally Posted by vision.dynamix

STI Windshield is lighter.

Know how they make it lighter? It's thinner. On a street car, I'd prefer the thicker glass, but that's just me. I can take a dump that's heavier than the weight difference..

Certain WRXs as well. Did this research when replacing mine, part number for mine matches the sti windshield

[vision.dynamix]

You can usually get the glass company to get you a Limited heated windshield, too. Wiring it in isnt overly complicated, either.

[Drakes]

Never heard of JN Phillips, are they more local? Only been living in Mass a few months now

[Pinned]

Originally Posted by Drakes

Never heard of JN Phillips, are they more local? Only been living in Mass a few months now

They're a new england based company. I think they do connecticut, mass, and rhode island.

[Fab54]

I tried JN Philips for a rock chip once. They told me I needed to be home between 8am and noon. They didn't show up. No phone call, no email, nothing. Finally I gave up and at 1 pm was leaving to go somewhere and simultaneously the JN Philips van rolls up my driveway. They were politely escorted off my property without fixing my windshield. Ok it wasn't politely and they will never touch a vehicle of mine in the future after wasting my time..........

[Jack ffr1846]

Originally Posted by Fab54

I tried JN Philips for a rock chip once. They told me I needed to be home between 8am and noon. They didn't show up. No phone call, no email, nothing. Finally I gave up and at 1 pm was leaving to go somewhere and simultaneously the JN Philips van rolls up my driveway. They were politely escorted off my property without fixing my windshield. Ok it wasn't politely and they will never touch a vehicle of mine in the future after wasting my time..........

Hmmmmm.....last one I had done, I gave them my address and left the car in the garage with the door open. Key and registration on the seat. When I came home from work, it was done. My Fusion daily has a good crack now. I will probably have them do it in my garage again......and take the Lotus to work.