Windscreen claim - after market or original

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Geektastic

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#194925 30-Mar-2016 12:55

SWMBO has a crack in the windscreen of her Honda Fit (Jazz) that is too big to repair.

The cracked screen is original Honda glass.

The insurer (AA) says they will only pay for cheap Chinese junk to be put in. I contend that they are obligated to return the vehicle to the original state it was in - so if it had a cheap junk windscreen, they can replace it with same, but not if it was original.

I had a fierce row with another insurer when my Toyota Alphard windscreen was replaced with cheap Chinese rubbish that is not optically correct (it bends the view around the edges) and was not the correct lightweight UV-reflecting screen Toyota specify for Alphard Hybrids. The loss adjuster confirmed it should be replaced with the original glass but the insurer would not pay to remove the rubbish item and replace it with the correct item. In the end, they made it so hard to seek resolution that I gave up and cancelled a $6500/year insurance package we had with them as a result.

What's your view on the Honda?

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#1522761 30-Mar-2016 13:05

how do you know the replacement screen is "Junk" as you put it?

My accord windscreen is an aftermarket screen and there is ZERO difference between it and the one it replaced

Geektastic

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#1522764 30-Mar-2016 13:08

I'm basing it on

a) the huge price difference

b) the personal experience I already have

c) the fact that by the time I allow them to install it it will be too late to do much about it

BTR

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#1522766 30-Mar-2016 13:11

Good luck with that, having just been (and still) arguing with my insurance company about a vehicle claim id say you are pushing sh*t up hill.

MikeB4

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#1522767 30-Mar-2016 13:11

What they will put in will depend on the conditions of the policy.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

venomio

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#1522769 30-Mar-2016 13:14

The insurance company I'm with gives me options on windscreens:

1. Replace with whatever cheapest option they can find, and they give me some bonus/discount/etc and with zero excess and no affect with zero claim bonus, etc.

2. Replace with the original glass they can find, but without the above, and the possiblity of an excess if it's too expensive.

I always go with Option 1, but I notice no difference with the original glass, and I'm pretty particular about sights and sounds.

MikeB4

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#1522770 30-Mar-2016 13:15

From the AA policy documents

Repairing or replacing parts
We will decide whether damaged parts on your vehicle are repaired
or replaced.
If we choose to replace any parts, we will use original
manufacturer branded parts, except for windscreens and
window glass. When available, windscreens and window glass
will be replaced with compatible aftermarket glass that meets
all Australasian safety standards. The parts we use may be new,
recycled or reconditioned

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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Geektastic

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#1522871 30-Mar-2016 16:31

So what do you do when the aftermarket cheap junk ISN'T up to scratch, even though it theoretically (i.e. we tested some from the first batch we made years ago..!) meets the standard?

venomio

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#1522872 30-Mar-2016 16:33

Doesn't seem like much you can do, since it's written on their (your) Policy documents. Either change who you have insurance with, or pay for it yourself.

Jase2985

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#1522879 30-Mar-2016 16:56

you are still assuming that you are going to get a junk screen.

the screen might be perfectly fine

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#1522882 30-Mar-2016 17:02

Jase2985:

you are still assuming that you are going to get a junk screen.

the screen might be perfectly fine

However, chances are it won't be - and then what do you do?

Jase2985

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#1522884 30-Mar-2016 17:07

take it back and get them to sort it.

i would say your odds are in the favour of you getting a good screen over a junk one

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gregmcc

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#1522885 30-Mar-2016 17:07

Get the insurance company to provide some documentation that the replacement windscreen meets the OEM specifications and the current AS/NZS standard.

Make it a safety issue and that unless they can prove it meets the safety specifications they must put in an OEM windscreen.

I'm picking once you make it a safety issue it will very quickly become too hard for them to provide the documentation for the Chinese one and they will put an OEM one in.

Oblivian

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#1522887 30-Mar-2016 17:15

I got said chinese junk before selling my old car. Was not in a place to argue with the timeframe.

Surround added by them (and dash scratched in the process) really badly cut and not straight lines as done while ON the car. Rear vision mount no longer had sun visor dots around it, and was cut out of the old car and glued to the windscreen with hacksaw marks visible outside.

Instant headaches and eyestrain for the week that followed as the FOV for the laminated area was smack dab in the middle of the eyeline.

My 2013 Hoon-di has had a PROPER OEM installed, original visor sunshade and surround etc. Although it doesn't sit anywhere as flush as it should do (the surround appears to be lacking a lip that I'm sure should be present) its vastly superior

ubergeeknz

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#1522889 30-Mar-2016 17:21

Oblivian:

I got said chinese junk before selling my old car. Was not in a place to argue with the timeframe.

Surround added by them (and dash scratched in the process) really badly cut and not straight lines as done while ON the car. Rear vision mount no longer had sun visor dots around it, and was cut out of the old car and glued to the windscreen with hacksaw marks visible outside.

Instant headaches and eyestrain for the week that followed as the FOV for the laminated area was smack dab in the middle of the eyeline.

My 2013 Hoon-di has had a PROPER OEM installed, original visor sunshade and surround etc. Although it doesn't sit anywhere as flush as it should do (the surround appears to be lacking a lip that I'm sure should be present) its vastly superior

See that's when you would go back to them and demand better...

timmmay

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#1522893 30-Mar-2016 17:35

One garage put on two aftermarket windscreens into my Corolla once, there were visible distortions, so third time they went with OEM Toyota by a Toyota dealer. This is all within a space of a couple of weeks, I rejected the rubbish ones. They were fine with it, once I made my case. When I went to Smith and Smith for a replacement a while later the quality was fine, no problem with that third party one.

You unfortunately have to go with the one in the contract you agreed to, unless you can make a case once fitted that it's not up to standard.

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