Sure since the car is newer my insurance will cover oem...after some pleading and begging of course but is it even worth it? Windshields come and go on a multi year basis it seems. I think i can even get a non oem for less than my $500 deductible. Any thoughts or opinions??
synch22
My 2011 Camry's windshield got smashed when it had 400 miles on it. And it was only from a gin bottle (long story). A coworker had his Camry windshield crack at 5000 miles by going over a bump.....
We both replaced ours with a $200 aftermarket windshield. 1 year later, with 5600 miles on mine and 12,000 miles on his, they're both in perfect shape.
My opinion: OEM isn't going to hold up as well as non-OEM (why I don't know).
We both replaced ours with a $200 aftermarket windshield. 1 year later, with 5600 miles on mine and 12,000 miles on his, they're both in perfect shape.
My opinion: OEM isn't going to hold up as well as non-OEM (why I don't know).
I suspect that the OEM installation process is not as forgiving as the "second time around". To compensate for irregularities the second time installers likely use more / thicker / flexible caulking, this prevents stresses from building.. which leads to cracks. Glass will only crack if it is under stress.. A rock chip no matter how big will not, on its own, cause the windshield to crack.
I understand that the third party windshields are made from thinner glass.. however they serve the purpose so cheapest is likely good enough..
I understand that the third party windshields are made from thinner glass.. however they serve the purpose so cheapest is likely good enough..
The last 2 windshields I had replaced, which were the only 2 I ever had replaced and they were within 6 months of each other were done by:
http://www.safelite.com/?WT.srch=1
They were both under reasonably priced installed,
I just did an instant quote on the Highlander and with the Front Windshield, Heated Wiper Park Area, Heated it came to $361 installed.
And I never had a problem with either one of them.
They come to your house or to your office and do it in the parking lot.
http://www.safelite.com/?WT.srch=1
They were both under reasonably priced installed,
I just did an instant quote on the Highlander and with the Front Windshield, Heated Wiper Park Area, Heated it came to $361 installed.
And I never had a problem with either one of them.
They come to your house or to your office and do it in the parking lot.
On the truck I had traded in for my Highlander, I used the safelite route.... Their quality was horrible - not the glass but the installation
1 - They forgot to install the rearview mirror wiring trim (it had homelink/compass/auto-dim). Luckily I found it on the passenger floor when I realized the wire wasn't normally exposed
2 - They couldn't get the cowl trim back on right (didn't know that when they left) so they just used the black adhesive to glue it in place. I found out as I was driving on the highway a few days later the black adhesive oozed out and ran all over both sides of the truck - it was impossible to clean off
3 - Once the black adhesive oozed out, the cowls would whistle/rattle at highway speeds
4 - The most minor thing was they actually installed my wipers wrong (their's a passenger side vs. a driver side due to the lengths). Fortunately I noticed it before it rained and used the wipers (would have hit the windshield pillar!)
Crazy part was the guy doing was bragging about how he had been installing windshields for almost 5 years now and he's one of their 'best"
Fortunately, I traded in my truck before I got to the point of dealing with them and any insurance company to fix their quality issues......
I used to work in automotive (design and manufacturing engineering) and windshields are sources of quality issues - not just the obvious of clarity and visibility, but also unwanted glares/relections as well as the installation can cause water leaks as well as wind noise - not from leak paths but if the windshield doesn't sit properly, it can cause whistle and other unwanted turbulance.
Then again, this is just one person's experience..... They are around alot of different areas so they must be doing something right to stay in business.....
1 - They forgot to install the rearview mirror wiring trim (it had homelink/compass/auto-dim). Luckily I found it on the passenger floor when I realized the wire wasn't normally exposed
2 - They couldn't get the cowl trim back on right (didn't know that when they left) so they just used the black adhesive to glue it in place. I found out as I was driving on the highway a few days later the black adhesive oozed out and ran all over both sides of the truck - it was impossible to clean off
3 - Once the black adhesive oozed out, the cowls would whistle/rattle at highway speeds
4 - The most minor thing was they actually installed my wipers wrong (their's a passenger side vs. a driver side due to the lengths). Fortunately I noticed it before it rained and used the wipers (would have hit the windshield pillar!)
Crazy part was the guy doing was bragging about how he had been installing windshields for almost 5 years now and he's one of their 'best"
Fortunately, I traded in my truck before I got to the point of dealing with them and any insurance company to fix their quality issues......
I used to work in automotive (design and manufacturing engineering) and windshields are sources of quality issues - not just the obvious of clarity and visibility, but also unwanted glares/relections as well as the installation can cause water leaks as well as wind noise - not from leak paths but if the windshield doesn't sit properly, it can cause whistle and other unwanted turbulance.
Then again, this is just one person's experience..... They are around alot of different areas so they must be doing something right to stay in business.....
Safelite did the install yesterday and installed an aftermarket windshield which he said is made by the same company who makes windshields for Toyota so it's not really aftermarket but it is, but anyways, the whole job took about an hour and I was out watching the installer during most of it. I'm pleased with the result so for anyone needing a new windshield Safelite worked for me.
Most of the windshield glass in my areas are from the same suppliers according to my dealer and the Safelite guy (I have done 2 replacement under Safelite, no trouble, very professional)
To me if you have $500 deductable, may as well go find a shop and have it replaced. Most of the time is less then that. Only when you have insurance, the price goes up, just like seeing a doctor
No need to worry about windshield has heated element or sunshaded area, as mentioned before, they are comes from the same suppliers (at least in my areas) so they match just like the factory glass
To me if you have $500 deductable, may as well go find a shop and have it replaced. Most of the time is less then that. Only when you have insurance, the price goes up, just like seeing a doctor
No need to worry about windshield has heated element or sunshaded area, as mentioned before, they are comes from the same suppliers (at least in my areas) so they match just like the factory glass
Also to note, if they are going to bill insurance it will be over $500 if you do it yourself through safelite it's only the $361 with the heated glass.
My last 2 were both under $200 to get installed
So most of the time unless you have glass coverage it's better to do it yourself.
I have glass coverage on all my Toyotas so it's only $100.
My last 2 were both under $200 to get installed
So most of the time unless you have glass coverage it's better to do it yourself.
I have glass coverage on all my Toyotas so it's only $100.
A few things to keep in mind:
1) there is cheap glass and good glass. Safelite is known to install cheap glass that is noticeably worse than the OEM. Sometimes, after windshield replacement one will notice that the glass is wavy, especially if you look through it at an angle other than 90*. The surface also appears to be somewhat uneven.
2) Good aftermarket brands that also produce OEM glass for many automakers are: PPG and Pilkington. You should be able to request brand from the installer, but it may raise the price when compared to generic Safelite glass.
3) After install - keep windows open and do not take off the tape right away (installer will explain).
4) find a reputable place with good reviews on Yelp/BBB to install your windshield and go there. They are likely to do a better job (you don't want any leaks through the seals when you go to wash your car) and give better warranty.
I had to replace glass on my wife's car and chose a local, privately owned installer (i believe Safelite is a franchise, but not 100% sure). This way I got better glass, they billed my insurance, so it was free for me. The money supported a shop in my community vs a mobile installer from another area and money going to national headquarters.
You don't have to follow these suggestions, but that's what i did and had good experience, got good product and was a happy camper after the install.
1) there is cheap glass and good glass. Safelite is known to install cheap glass that is noticeably worse than the OEM. Sometimes, after windshield replacement one will notice that the glass is wavy, especially if you look through it at an angle other than 90*. The surface also appears to be somewhat uneven.
2) Good aftermarket brands that also produce OEM glass for many automakers are: PPG and Pilkington. You should be able to request brand from the installer, but it may raise the price when compared to generic Safelite glass.
3) After install - keep windows open and do not take off the tape right away (installer will explain).
4) find a reputable place with good reviews on Yelp/BBB to install your windshield and go there. They are likely to do a better job (you don't want any leaks through the seals when you go to wash your car) and give better warranty.
I had to replace glass on my wife's car and chose a local, privately owned installer (i believe Safelite is a franchise, but not 100% sure). This way I got better glass, they billed my insurance, so it was free for me. The money supported a shop in my community vs a mobile installer from another area and money going to national headquarters.
You don't have to follow these suggestions, but that's what i did and had good experience, got good product and was a happy camper after the install.
Ok, thanks for confirming. I have the moulding around the sides but not the top. I couldn't remember if my factory glass had that rubber moulding that's on my other cars but looking at this picture 
from autoblog, the Highlander doesn't have that thick black rubber moulding. It looks more like a thin strip of black mould/rubber that connects the roof to the glass.
from autoblog, the Highlander doesn't have that thick black rubber moulding. It looks more like a thin strip of black mould/rubber that connects the roof to the glass.
Ya I never made any claims with two windshield repairs; $230 for my old Mazda; I'm sure it's more expensive with the HL but I keep my deductible high anyway.
Didn't know about Safelite's cheap glass though...any source regarding this?
Didn't know about Safelite's cheap glass though...any source regarding this?
Saw this thread (friend has a Highlander and I figured I'd look around to see what's on here) and wanted to chime in with some experience with glass replacement and Safelite as best as I can recall it.
First, our experience with Safelite was a good one overall. While on a road trip down to VA the windshield on our 03 Jeep Liberty just randomly developed a crack near the bottom center section of the glass. It was basically in the shape of a 7, only the leg of the 7 was straight instead of how it appears typed here. Called to have Safelite do the job as we were supposed to be heading back home in the next day or two, and it was covered by insurance. There was a local facility, so we brought it there and waited maybe an hour, no more than 2, for the job to be done. This was during winter, and even in VA it was rather cold at the time, though the vehicle was worked on in a temp controlled garage. We were told to leave the door windows cracked for 24 hours so pressure wouldn't build during opening and closing the doors and damage the sealing job. Also, they warranty the job they do against defects, so that's a plus, and we ended up putting it to use pretty fast.
The next day we're ready to head back home, and literally as we're packing the last of the stuff into the Jeep to head back, I get behind the wheel and there's the crack again, in nearly the exact same spot, and the exact same shape! :wtf::headbang::disappoin
We called Safelite, told them what was up, and decided to drive back home as it wasn't spreading and we honestly couldn't stay another day to have them work on it in VA. Once we got back home, there was a local Safelite that we coordinated to bring the vehicle to for another replacment, no charge. I asked the phone rep about whether this was a common occurrence or if their replacement was lower quality than OEM. They explained that their typical replacement glass meets the minimum safety requirments, but is certainly not as thick as OEM glass, hence the lower price point. They said that it is possible to get OEM quality (PPG, in this case) glass from them, but that it would cost more (obviously). Essentially to get the OEM glass we'd have to pay the difference for the better glass over cost of the original job, which was a few hundred dollars. It was worth it. The new glass has been intact and problem free for at least 3 years now, making several trips to PA and back, and it even came with a tinted band at the top for some sun glare protection, something that wasn't even on the original glass the Jeep came with.
Where I see the difference here with what has been experienced by others is being able to bring the vehicle to one of the company's facilities, where they can take the time to work on it as opposed to working on the side of the street or in a parking lot doing a speedy job. Safelite treated us very well at both locations and on the phone, and they made good on their warranty without any questions. I'd say, especially if insurance is willing to cover the replacement, spend the extra money to get glass that's the same quality as OEM. It's worth it, and from a safety standpoint, you can expect OEM glass to do its job in an accident and resist shattering like it's supposed to. I wouldn't personally want to take a gamble with something like that on the thinner stuff.
Just my rather lengthy 2 cents. Hopefully it's helpful to someone.
First, our experience with Safelite was a good one overall. While on a road trip down to VA the windshield on our 03 Jeep Liberty just randomly developed a crack near the bottom center section of the glass. It was basically in the shape of a 7, only the leg of the 7 was straight instead of how it appears typed here. Called to have Safelite do the job as we were supposed to be heading back home in the next day or two, and it was covered by insurance. There was a local facility, so we brought it there and waited maybe an hour, no more than 2, for the job to be done. This was during winter, and even in VA it was rather cold at the time, though the vehicle was worked on in a temp controlled garage. We were told to leave the door windows cracked for 24 hours so pressure wouldn't build during opening and closing the doors and damage the sealing job. Also, they warranty the job they do against defects, so that's a plus, and we ended up putting it to use pretty fast.
The next day we're ready to head back home, and literally as we're packing the last of the stuff into the Jeep to head back, I get behind the wheel and there's the crack again, in nearly the exact same spot, and the exact same shape! :wtf::headbang::disappoin
We called Safelite, told them what was up, and decided to drive back home as it wasn't spreading and we honestly couldn't stay another day to have them work on it in VA. Once we got back home, there was a local Safelite that we coordinated to bring the vehicle to for another replacment, no charge. I asked the phone rep about whether this was a common occurrence or if their replacement was lower quality than OEM. They explained that their typical replacement glass meets the minimum safety requirments, but is certainly not as thick as OEM glass, hence the lower price point. They said that it is possible to get OEM quality (PPG, in this case) glass from them, but that it would cost more (obviously). Essentially to get the OEM glass we'd have to pay the difference for the better glass over cost of the original job, which was a few hundred dollars. It was worth it. The new glass has been intact and problem free for at least 3 years now, making several trips to PA and back, and it even came with a tinted band at the top for some sun glare protection, something that wasn't even on the original glass the Jeep came with.
Where I see the difference here with what has been experienced by others is being able to bring the vehicle to one of the company's facilities, where they can take the time to work on it as opposed to working on the side of the street or in a parking lot doing a speedy job. Safelite treated us very well at both locations and on the phone, and they made good on their warranty without any questions. I'd say, especially if insurance is willing to cover the replacement, spend the extra money to get glass that's the same quality as OEM. It's worth it, and from a safety standpoint, you can expect OEM glass to do its job in an accident and resist shattering like it's supposed to. I wouldn't personally want to take a gamble with something like that on the thinner stuff.
Just my rather lengthy 2 cents. Hopefully it's helpful to someone.
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