Windscreen - Rip Off?

[f00glee]

Got a screen peppered in tiny chips so been onto AG (my insurer will only use them).

New screen £485 retail or £75 excess on insurance for non OE glass. £695 retail or £285 (£75 excess + 210 price difference) for OE glass. I tell them I'll have a think and ring TPS to find a brand new factory screen is £300 inc VAT. So if we do our sums, £300-£210("price difference") = £90 for the non OE screen and £395 for fitting. WHAT A RIP!

I ring National Windscreens to compare pricing(even though I cant use them) and get a quote of £200 for pilkington glass fitted. So why the hell cant AG do OE glass for the £485? They would still be charging over the odds, by my reckoning.

My OCD tells me to get OE glass. My wallet tells me £285 is a rip off and AG are needlessly charging the insurance companies way too much.  Ive asked for the billing department to call me back as I'm "confused about pricing", mentioning I know exactly how much an OE screen is. Strangely I haven't heard from them in 3 days now... even after two emails and a call to enquire again.

Thoughts? Keep pestering and see where I get? Put up with aftermarket glass? Fork out for OE? 

[4ndy]

Like for like   Have a look at you policy wording regarding replacement parts
Insist on getting like for like  You paid insurance on a genuine vw (Pilkington with a stamp) screen and that's what you want replacing

[Tfsi_Mike]

I've suffered from this and frustratingly admitted defeat

[Oldy]

Me too. 

There is a standard provision in many insurance policies which says  "we may use parts or accessories which aren't made or supplied by your cars manufacturer but are of a similar type and quality..."  This applies equally to windcsreens which, in turn, means the windscreen repair company, often specified by your insurer, is not obliged to provide an original VW windcsreen. 

[Dan_FR]

Have a read of this..... wording of the policy allowed him to get a genuine screen after a fight: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=436721&highlight=windscreen

[pudding]

Get an OE screen if you can, even if it means you're slightly out of pocket.  Aftermarket screens are complete w@nk.  Thinner and not as sturdy as the original part.  A deliberate ploy to keep companies like AG in business I'm sure, hence why they don't want you to buy a VW screen.

You could buy the £300 one from TPS and fit it yourself.  It's not a difficult job at all.  Tube of sikalfex and a 90 degree tool from Amazon and you're off.

[f00glee]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately my policy (AXA) explicitly say they will only cover aftermarket glass in order to "keep insurance premiums down for all". My main gripe, I suppose, is for the price AG quote for non original glass, they should be able to do the OE glass repair and still be making more money that national in terms of fitting costs.

It seems to me that AG are just ripping off the insurance companies (and those of us who want original glass) by charging way of the odds for aftermarket glass so the insurance companies don't want to touch it.

[Dan_FR]

You don't have a leg to stand on then really, so to speak.

[f00glee]

Get an OE screen if you can, even if it means you're slightly out of pocket.  Aftermarket screens are complete w@nk.  Thinner and not as sturdy as the original part.  A deliberate ploy to keep companies like AG in business I'm sure, hence why they don't want you to buy a VW screen.

You could buy the £300 one from TPS and fit it yourself.  It's not a difficult job at all.  Tube of sikalfex and a 90 degree tool from Amazon and you're off.

I guess I may aswell just pay the difference + excess and let AG do it then. Still feels like a rip off though!

You don't have a leg to stand on then really, so to speak.

I take your point. Guess I'm just venting!   

[pudding]

It is indeed a rip and insurance companies, body repair shops and glass replacement companies have always been in bed with each other.  The customer always loses out ultimately, but to be honest, I don't have the time or inclination to get all Martin Lewis on these companies anymore.  Life's too short.  If the price is reasonable for the quality, I'll just pay up and shut up. 

The problem in this country is people are great at moaning but crap at doing anything about it.   If enough people got together to boycott the rip mongers, things would change, but as it stands, we will always be a soft touch for greedy corporations.

[f00glee]

It is indeed a rip and insurance companies, body repair shops and glass replacement companies have always been in bed with each other.  The customer always loses out ultimately, but to be honest, I don't have the time or inclination to get all Martin Lewis on these companies anymore.  Life's too short.  If the price is reasonable for the quality, I'll just pay up and shut up. 

The problem in this country is people are great at moaning but crap at doing anything about it.   If enough people got together to boycott the rip mongers, things would change, but as it stands, we will always be a soft touch for greedy corporations.

Agree with all you've said. I can stomp my feet all I like and eventually will just give in. Will I have made any difference to my outcome or anyone else's? guess not..

From the replies here and what I've read elsewhere though, I will be getting an OE screen - shall just have to put up with the extra fork-out.

Cheers all 

[pudding]

Defo get an OE screen!  I had to have 2 replacements (both aftermarket) within 3 months of each other!  They just chip and crack so damned easily compared to the proper screen.  A little road chipping at 40mph took one of them out.  40mph!

I could see from the crack that the thickness of the glass is thinner than OE.  As I say, designed in weaknesses to keep these companies afloat!  I'm not against the wheel of employment, but these days, buy cheap buy twice (or thrice in some cases!) is more valid than ever.