Posted: 9/3/2011 8:21:34 AM EDT
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it.
How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? |
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? Yes a charge to your insurance. I removed a window from my 84 Ford and planned to install it but it busted on install, so I paid $285 for a windshield and install. One word of advice the butyl compound I believe that seals your window is a bitch to remove, if I had the chance I'd pay someone else to do it. I scraped and ground and wirebrushed for seemingly days to get it clear. |
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Many insurance companies would rather replace your cracked windshield now, than to have it fail in an accident or cause one due to lack of visibility. Check with your agent, you might be surprised. ETA They often partner with a glass shop, my repairs cost me nothing and I have no paperwork to file this way. |
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I don't know about Texas, but in Florida windshield replacement is covered 100% by insurance. I've had two replaced so far. I called the windshield replacement company. They got my insurance company in a conference call and got my details. The replacement company set up an appointment and changed my windshield out for me in my driveway. |
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I don't know about Texas, but in Florida windshield replacement is covered 100% by insurance. I've had two replaced so far. I called the windshield replacement company. They got my insurance company in a conference call and got my details. The replacement company set up an appointment and changed my windshield out for me in my driveway. Does it go against your policy? As a reason to jack your rates? |
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I don't know about Texas, but in Florida windshield replacement is covered 100% by insurance. I've had two replaced so far. I called the windshield replacement company. They got my insurance company in a conference call and got my details. The replacement company set up an appointment and changed my windshield out for me in my driveway. Does it go against your policy? As a reason to jack your rates? No, it didn't mine. |
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I don't know about Texas, but in Florida windshield replacement is covered 100% by insurance. I've had two replaced so far. I called the windshield replacement company. They got my insurance company in a conference call and got my details. The replacement company set up an appointment and changed my windshield out for me in my driveway. Does it go against your policy? As a reason to jack your rates? I'm with USAA and it did not. |
| Ive replaced a few windshields, its not that hard . you will need something like this to cut the urethane. |
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It is NOT a DIY Project, even sealing leaks is not a DIY Project.
New windshield is about $120 installed if you shop around and aren't in a huge metro area. The $800+ Pricetags are the "Insurance price" for places that have vehicle inspections and force people to buy a new window if it has a chip or crack on it. |
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Quoted: I paid 116 for Safelite to replace my windshield on my 4Runner. Its so cheap its not worth the hassle of fixing air leaks and shit like that. Its a heavy piece of glass to fool around with without the dedicated tools. That's what I'm sayin'. Last one I had done cost about the same. I found a quote online, but I don't remember the site I used. Came right to the house, and was done in probably 15mins. Perfect job too. Now I have full coverage and glass is totally covered. I wouldn't hesitate to call my insurance co. if I needed repair or replacement. |
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? For a "Serious" answer: Best I know windshields are replaced under the "Comprehensive" portion of an insurance policy and "Typically" rates do not always go up for a claim against that portion. W/O comp insurance you're on your own––like I would be on my older Honda. Good Luck And yes-it would be a terrible DIY. Try a Junk yard––see if they would install. |
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? For a "Serious" answer: Best I know windshields are replaced under the "Comprehensive" portion of an insurance policy and "Typically" rates do not always go up for a claim against that portion. W/O comp insurance you're on your own––like I would be on my older Honda. Good Luck And yes-it would be a terrible DIY. Try a Junk yard––see if they would install. I filed a claim with my insurance. I have comprehensive but I'd have to pay the deductible first (500.00) A new windshield for my car is $340.00 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? For a "Serious" answer: Best I know windshields are replaced under the "Comprehensive" portion of an insurance policy and "Typically" rates do not always go up for a claim against that portion. W/O comp insurance you're on your own––like I would be on my older Honda. Good Luck And yes-it would be a terrible DIY. Try a Junk yard––see if they would install. I filed a claim with my insurance. I have comprehensive but I'd have to pay the deductible first (500.00) A new windshield for my car is $340.00 Is that quote OEM or aftermarket? Shop around, they price match. |
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? For a "Serious" answer: Best I know windshields are replaced under the "Comprehensive" portion of an insurance policy and "Typically" rates do not always go up for a claim against that portion. W/O comp insurance you're on your own––like I would be on my older Honda. Good Luck And yes-it would be a terrible DIY. Try a Junk yard––see if they would install. I filed a claim with my insurance. I have comprehensive but I'd have to pay the deductible first (500.00) A new windshield for my car is $340.00 Is that quote OEM or aftermarket? Shop around, they price match. Pretty sure OEM. I called one independent place, and said it was dealer only. $340.00 was the price my insurance company gave me which came from safelite |
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I replaced a windshield in an old truck by myself. Well, it was me and a friend.
Was a huge PITA and it still wasn't perfect even with all the time we spent. I normally believe you should do everything yourself. This is one of those cases where I'd pay a specialist to do it. |
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How hard is it to replace your own windshield? Is this a DIY project best left to experts? My car somehow has a crack in the windshield, and I'd like to replace it. How do those "free windshield" guys work, anyway? Somehow it gets charged to your insurance or something? For a "Serious" answer: Best I know windshields are replaced under the "Comprehensive" portion of an insurance policy and "Typically" rates do not always go up for a claim against that portion. W/O comp insurance you're on your own––like I would be on my older Honda. Good Luck And yes-it would be a terrible DIY. Try a Junk yard––see if they would install. I filed a claim with my insurance. I have comprehensive but I'd have to pay the deductible first (500.00) A new windshield for my car is $340.00 Doubtful unless it is an Escalade. There aren't many windshields that will cost over $200 to buy and install. Body Shops get a 82-95% discount on the piece of glass. If your windshield retails for $500, the actual price to the glass shop is $25-$40. You only need to find the shop that will work with you on the price if you leave insurance out of it, and preferably pay cash. Insurance companies are the reason auto glass costs so much. They helped push laws that flawed windshields are dangerous, which they sometimes are, if you have huge cracks directly in front of the driver, but mostly harmless otherwise. These laws make people buy insurance to help pay for such a tragic event as a rock chip below the mirror, which states that have inspections will force you to replace. If you live in a inspection free state, or states without rules on doing body work without informing the insurance company, you can get glass far cheaper. If not, drive to another state, the gas money won't cost as much as what you save, and road trips are always fun. 2hrs to get the window replaced, 6 hours to meet some board members in another state. 
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I paid 116 for Safelite to replace my windshield on my 4Runner. Its so cheap its not worth the hassle of fixing air leaks and shit like that. Its a heavy piece of glass to fool around with without the dedicated tools. Yes of course. I change the shocks, springs, and brakes on my truck but wouldn't think about doing my windshield. |
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It is not that hard to do but it isn't that hard to mess up either.
One little nick on the edge or a windshield that isn't supported correctly on the compound and BAM,you have another ruined windshield Check your insurance,offer cash to the independent shop,work some overtime or brown bag your lunch but whatever you do have a provisional do the replacement This isn't something to think about |
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I've got a mechanic buddy. I asked him to do my windshield. I'da been fine with paying more than a mobile glass guy, he's my friend. He told me he knew how and had done it, but to call the mobile guys anyway. He just didn't want the trouble.
I've had it done twice now on the same car, $120 or so each time, and they came right to my place of work. Took about 20 mins each time. |