Hi All,

Just thought I would share a quotation story from a well known windscreen company in case some members are looking for a new screen.

I needed a new screen on my VW Touareg.  After some discussion on rain sensing (yes it has), collision avoidance etc (no it hasn't) the phone sales lady says, "errr.. $1550"  WHAT!.... "Oh OK lets double check we have the right model etc....  "errr yes we can do it for just $1330."

Sounded very expensive to me so I said what I thought and that I would think about it.  The sales lady asked if they could check around (?) and get back to me, I said OK.

Straight away I rang another national windscreen company, $495 fitted at home!  Yep they got the job.

Windscreens Oh Boy ring me back an hour or so later saying they might have misquoted, how about $450?  No sorry, I got an honest first quote from elsewhere thanks!

Cheers Vince

Had the same experience a couple of years ago.  Got a quote from Windscreens mob, but as I thought it was excessive, I shopped around and had it done for half the price.  In a small NSW town.

The windscreen mob had my ph number and pestered me a few times, trying to get my business.  Sorry.....

Garry

macka17 wrote:

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All the windscreens I've had done in last 30 yrs or so..
Normally every two yrs regardless.
have been the free insurance one.

Ring W'Screens O'b.
They come to door. fit and take away.
Who pays for a windscreen nowadays?.

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 Hi Macka,

Premiums are set by claims experience, if there are a lot of claims (such as people replacing windscreens coz "it's Free") we will all pay higher premiums in future.

If you read my post I showed that W'screens O'b were horrendously overpriced.

Who pays for windscreens nowadays? - me!  If I add up the screens I've had over the years and the premiums I would have paid I'm WELL in front.

I don't needlessly replace windscreens.

Cheers Vince

Gday...

 Interesting, Vince.

I pay an annual 'extra' $63 per year on my comprehensive vehicle policy for "ALL glass replacement" - ie all glass on the vehicle, windscreen, all windows (side and rear) and sunroof (if I had one). This also includes 'unlimited' fixing of chips in the windscreen. No loss of rating - no increased premium next year - fully paid by insurance company direct to the supplier of the replacement or chip fixer. I never see the bill.

In the eight years I have been travelling, I had seven - yes SEVEN - bloody stone chips that needed fixing in 2011 ... and then two windscreens replaced in 2012 due to big cracks from big stones.

The original Landy screen is quite dear ... but I checked out the 'Chinese' one they had in stock to fit and it was a goodun. Cost was about $450 for the screen from recollection. Repeated that checking for the second screen. That last screen is still in situ and in perfect condition after four years.

I reckon my $63/year over the past eight years (~$500) has been well worth it.

Perhaps you need to seek out a better, reputable insurance company. 

Cheers - John

Hmm.
Insurance.

we have ALL items insured. Boats Caravan 2 cars. house. contents etc.
Insured through RACQ. 50yr membership rates.

Nobody touches them FOR COVER PROVIDED and price.
includes FREE overseas cover too.
I normally check around every coupla yrs and they still to be beaten.

ONE windscreen per yr. IN PRICE and I think $100 each for any others.
It used to be unlimited screens at one time. then excess for rear and side.

If you with a cheaper Co. and do screen out bush.
It Could end up costing you coupla grand with freight.

Mine cost me..... ZILCH. NADA. NUZZING.. (even nothing)

If you look at your screen after a coupla yrs, at night in the rain.
You'll realise why I change mine every coupla yrs.
They can be dangerous.

Same as my tyres. I always change the set at around 3\4 wear point.
Long b4 the bars appear.

Mental peace of mind with lady in car and traction with van on back.

I prefer Di's company to a few extra dollars in the bank thank you.

The cheaper\est, minimal way, is not always the best way.

As John above says.
The windscreen\glass cover is an adddition to rest of policy.
Does NOT affect premiums, You pay for it over and above.

Travelling a lot as we did. on a lot of dirt\corrugations
and among road Trains.

The extra is VERY cheap insurance. While. as said
NOT affecting other premiums.

WE choose to cover the glass. and my company KNOW I replace every 2 yrs, IN garage At home.
Same as a lot of other regular travellers I know.    Mostly at three yrs.

Never had any inappropriate raise in policy yet.
Even Cyclone Marcia didn't change anything.

They very good I reckon.

RACQ.... Check them out hey.

Hey Guys,

My OP was to alert others about vast differences in windscreeen replacement quotations and the obvious "try on" by a large screen company, I think the OP has done it's job, however due to other posts bringing in the topic of windscreen insurance cover I'm just pointing out that in MY case I am in front financially after not having to replace a screen for a long time. My insurer is fine and reputable, I just dont have windscreen cover due to what I just said, no need to replace.  If you need cover that's fine, and when I get on the road fulll time I probably will get glass cover.
As far as premiiums not going up, after many years being involved in fleet insurances and dealings direct with major insurers I can assure you that if your $65 or what ever doesnt cover their outlays due to everyone changing a screen, premiums will definately go up to well and truly cover their expenses plus a large margin.
It is obviously a simple sum, if we all pay a $130 premium for two years and we all replace a $450 - $500 screen every two years do you think insurers will smile sweetly and keep forking out? No way. That is my point, it's only those NOT replacing their screens regularly that help cover those who do............ until the insurer's balance sheet gets out of kilter!

As Macka points out "It used to be unlimited screens at one time".

Cheers Vince

Yep.
Sure am Brickies.

Daughter works in mines, owns, freehold home in QLD on coast.
Eldest boy imports Sports equipt. His Company worth several mill.
Youngest boy is electronics tech supervisor for Telstra. O'Sea.
Financially well off.
9 grandaughters. 4 in mines, 2 Qualified chefs. (one in navy) 
others still in school.
1 grandson. Melb University.
1 ? still in womb.

You bring them up with right attitude.
They look after themselves with eye to the future.

And none of the girls are bringing children into this world yet
from 26 yr old down. All have the same opinion.

MY kids don't need. nor want, nor anticipate any hand outs.
They all doing it for themselves thank you.
As most others also do.

it's only the deadbeats that hang around waiting for your leftovers.

macka17 wrote:

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All the windscreens I've had done in last 30 yrs or so..
Normally every two yrs regardless.
have been the free insurance one.

Ring W'Screens O'b.
They come to door. fit and take away.
Who pays for a windscreen nowadays?.

---

 We all pay (through our premiums).

If some people get a new windscreen every 2 years regardless, it costs us all in premiums.

Have had windscreen cover for the last 30 years and have needed to claim once.