Last week my windshield cracked as I was driving and it got hit by a rock. I haven't even spoken to my insurance company because my deductible is $1,000.. I asked at safelite and they said it would be around $300 for a aftermarket one including everything and if I want OEM it would be $850 just for the windshield. I asked if I should reduce my deductible to $100 and file a claim after that but she said that geico only pays for OEM if its a newer model 2015 or 2014 and mine is 2009... So should I get the aftermarket one or should I pay for an OEM one? What's the difference?

 

Same situation, oem is cracked, deductible is $1000 and I want it fixed but $800 out of pocket is a lot of change. Any significant differences in aftermarket and OEM?

 

OEM is made to very tight Nissan specifications, thickness, chemical formulations, and amount of plastic are just a few of many specs. Aftermarket is made by low bidder and purchased by a lot of aftermarket companies and sold at 1/3 the cost of OEM because of the cheap manufacturing processes. Aftermarket is thinner glass and will not fit the windshield as well, more prone to leaks.

If your car is leased, then an OEM windshield will probably be required before you turn it back in.

BTW what you are considering to do with your deductible is called insurance fraud. You are thinking about stealing 600 dollars from the insurance company.

 

The glass has to meet all legal requirements and restrictions to be sold, aftermarket or OEM. Just go with the cheaper one.

 

I'm
Not worried about screwing my insurance, I just want a new Windshield. If aftermarket meets the same standards and is around the same quality, why not save $500?

 

Last 2 windshields I had were PGW and XYG(both were around $200). I couldn't tell a difference between those and OEM, besides the logo. I didn't have any leaks. As long as you choose a shop that's been in business a long time and has good reviews, I don't really think it matters.

 

 

I have had three replacements on my 09. The first two were original Nissan replacements, the last from PPG. I don't know if the Carlex Nissan glass is more fragile or that I just haven't been hit with as many stones from kicked up gravel, but the PPG in my case seems a bit more durable as it has now been over two years since replacement. I also had the rear replaced when the old tinting started to bubble after 4 years and went with PPG on that as well. I am very happy with the results.

 

Is the aftermarket one at least gonna look the same? Like is it gonna have that blueish color at the top and those black dots behind the rear view mirror? I feel like the aftermarket one is gonna be just a plain clear one and it's not even gonna look close to the original one and it's probably gonna look ugly

 

I just had my 2010 windshield replaced with an OEM one on the 24th of June thru Safelite, and it cost $271.80. It has the black rain sensor dots on the back and you can't tell the difference. I had it done in California if that makes a difference.

Also, depending upon the kind of driving you do and the cost of all the common things that break or get damaged on our cars, you might want to lower your deductible to $500. Before I left Cali last week there was a knucklehead out slashing tires and as you know 4 tires can easily run you $1000 dollars.

Why pay insurance if you're afraid to use it because your rates "might" increase? I put a few dollars out of every paycheck into an interest bearing account I setup strictly for my out of warranty car repairs.


Because I've been doing that for years now I can afford to spend a few thousand dollars on my 69 Cougar on things I want to have done simply for fun.


Btw, I'm not old and I'm not rich. I just took the advice of some of the older, wiser car guys I came across at car shows and other events.

 

I had same issue, 2014 Max . I used after MKT just as good and under safelite WTY if it fails and I also have Gieco.

 

Looks exactly the same...even with the rf transparency dots!!! Or at least my PPG is the same as the Nissan Carlex.

 

I'm curious as to what type of insurance( option 1 or basic) and what state this is? Here in mass if you have option 1, glass is always free with zero deductible and you have the choice to bring it where ever you want

 

Agreed, here in Florida the law is 0 deductible on the front windshield if you have comprehensive coverage. Of course any other glass like the rear window or side windows DO have the deductible in effect. I believe the intent was to make sure you could see where you are going!

 

I have no Ded on Glass, Guess its also what you pay for in your policy. NY

 

Get the one you get the best price on. The funny thing is that the aftermarket windshiels that I've used have had less distortion than the OEM one. I've replaced many windshields....I even have the OEM coverage....last time I just told them to give me the aftermarket one as I didn't feel like waiting.

 

I had a Pilkington windshield installed in the spring. Better quality then the OEM Carlex and cheaper!!!

 

Massachusetts must be the exception then, because if u have full coverage any glass is free. I had my drivers window smashed on a car a long time ago with a brick, funny thing is I never locked my doors....that's when the portable gps first came out, anyways stupid me left it on window. I had the glass replaced the next day on the house. Knock on wood never needed glass replaced on any vehicle and I learned a lesson.

Back in the day Mass of all states use to be so forgiving, say if someone punctured your tires, they would be replaced for free. They caught on quick though as people were putting in phoney claims getting new tires

 

The last windshield I replaced cheaply on a Honda Accord had a lot of distortion... wavy lines through the edges... YMMV.

 

So they just called me today and said that in ny if you have comprehensive coverage (which I do) glass replacement is free.. I guess I'm gonna go to a nissan dealership and see if they can replace it for me for free through the insurance.

 

So I just called geico and they said it would all be covered and I wouldn't have to pay for anything but they refuse to pay for an original one they said they would only pay $300 for an aftermarket one and if I want an original one I have to pay the difference! What do I do?? Are they allowed to do that?? How can they refuse to pay for original parts?? I'm in New York if that matters

 

You need to read your policy. You probably have language stating something along the lines of they're only required to provide oem if no "oem equivalents" are available.

 

Where can I read the policy? They never sent me anything I always do everything over the phone

 

They should send you something in the mail each year your policy is renewed. Also you should be able to pull up your policy thru there website, you'll need things like policy number, plate number, or drivers license number....

 

This was a big decision for me when I had to get my windshield replaced. In the long run, just make sure you have someone that knows what they're doing because like everyone said...leaks and veryyy bad.

2012 Maxima 60k - Windshield replaced in 2014 (With 40k on it) and no problems since!

 

Stay away from safelite.....I was referred to them once & they had horrible customer service. Also one of the guys from work had a leak from the windshield being improperly installed....it caused him a lot of damage. Then it was a nightmare for him to deal with their customer service department.

 

I already went to safelite cause I couldn't find any other ones around here besides one but they seemed rude so I just went with safelite and my insurance agreed to pay for an oem one they paid $1000 but when they put it on I noticed it doesn't say nissan it just says carlex I asked if it's still oem they said yeah so I don't know it's whatever it's been a couple days and I haven't had any problems yet

 

Nothing wrong with Safelite, Ive had a chip, two big rock cracks in the past 4 months which turned into complete replacements as recent as a few days ago. They do good work and are very customer based, they make money off of surveys and I have nothing but top notch professionalism from them every time from two different places now.

Mine are a aftermarket brand both times.

 

Agreed. No problem with Safelite. I am on my 4th windshield glass with my 2010 with 148,000 miles. Original had bad crack that spread real fast. Safelite replaced and on drive home, had a stress fracture, they replaced again per warranty. Had another crack (bot breaks from gravels from truckers). Replaced again with Safelite and still running with this one (around 70,000 miles so far).

Goo quality and good customer service so far. Once you replace the original glass, it will drop your structural rigidity of the top of car considerably but nothing can be done about it. Otherwise, Safelite has been good to me. Recommended.

 

I'll never use them.....The total lack of customer service skills made that decision easy for me.

 

+1

I had a Pilkington windshield replacement in February 2014 with no issues whatsoever to date. I forgot what I paid but don't think it was any more than $225 for the install and they came to my work and everything.