Any recommendations please for where to get a windscreen replaced?

Most comprehensive insurance includes windscreen replacement. I had to pay an excess of £50 on mine, but it was a Focus with a heated screen which costs a lot more than £50 I imagine. I phoned the insurance company who told me to get Autoglass onto it. They did an excellent job of it too.

Don't know if that helps you though. Good luck anyway.

Agree with EX think its almost standard to get windscreen cover included but maybe that is only on fully comp. Had a front and rear go on the same car within 12 months but through different insurers. Had to take it to Ellesmere Port for one and Liverpool for another as they wouldnt come out and do it. Over the years had a few done and cant say any companies better or worse...price and convenience..

If you want/need to try it on the cheap, phone Wirral Spares 0151 651 2228 (borough Road Birkenhead), if its an expensive screen he might be able to supply a secondhand screen but will also quote for a new one and he'll give you a number for a screen fitter. Beware that some screens aren't bonded and may require a new seal (Wirral Spares will advise).

Some windscreens are surprisingly cheap at trade price.

If your excess is only £50 then that is the way to go, if its around the £100 then it might be worth shopping around unless its a special screen such as a heated one @Excoriator mentioned above. Don't forget that glass claims don't normally affect your no-claims bonus.

Autoglass's book prices for non-insurance jobs are stupidly high but they sometimes negotiate face to face if they aren't too busy.

I was impressed by Autoglass. They came out and did the job in a car park near my home. Erecting a sort of tent to keep the rain off, the old screen which had been smashed by a passing vandal was removed and they were diligent at ensuring there were no fragments of glass left to rattle around irritatingly in the car. The whole job took about half an hour including connections to the heating wires. They apologised for not coming out immediately - I had to wait a day for them to get a replacement screen. Normally they do it more or less immediately.

So I'd be buying the screen from Wirral Spares and paying fitter separately?



My excess is £100 and NCD not affected, but some insurers (I don't know if that includes esure who I'm with) include glass claims in their premium rating and claims need to be declared for 3 or 5 years depending on insurer. If I can get a screen for not too much above £100 I'm tempted not to go through insurance. Screen isn't heated but does have headlight/wipers sensor. (Citroen C5)


They're quoting £424



How does that work? You haggle with the fitter?

Yes, Wirral Spares route would be separate supply and fit, but on a C5 you will probably best going through the insurance, secondhand screen with new seal plus fitting is unlikely to come in at under £120 even on a good day.

At £424 your not going to get Autoglass down to anything reasonable.

I've never been penalised for a glass claim in any form by insurance but these days they are starting to ask how many hairs you have on your chin.

I'll see what Wirral Spares say anyway. Thanks for the tip.



If your renewal premium's gone up how do you know whether or not a glass claim was a factor? (Unless of course you've asked, or they have a stated policy of not rating on glass claims)