Scratched windscreen - insurance replacement?

[Mostro]

Since it seems to be the day for windscreen-related queries......

My windscreen has a series of light semi-circular scratches. They were there when I bought the car but I suspect the previous owner has used gravel in the screenwash or something . There are 3 or 4 arcs under each wiper's sweep.

In most circumstances it isn't a problem, not noticeable in fact, but in low sun or in light rain visibility can be affected significantly.

Question is, can I request a new windscreen from the insurance company without there being a particular stone chip to report or an actual crack in the glass? Or do i have to put up with it until the windscreen does somehow get a stone chip?

[Nealio]

If you have windscreen cover and you actually want it replaced, why not just use a brick, there's no question then is there?

[Gareth79]

Nealio said:

If you have windscreen cover and you actually want it replaced, why not just use a brick, there's no question then is there?

Insurance fraud?

[Mostro]

I was wondering whether I could get it replaced legitimately, given that it is a danger in certain light conditions....

[GPT]

Mostro said:

I was wondering whether I could get it replaced legitimately, given that it is a danger in certain light conditions....

Almost certainly yes.

One phone-call will get you the answer.

[sim16v]

What car is it?

Depending on the car, you can go to independent window replacement companies, and get them replaced cheaper than a lot of excesses.


I've been quoted £105 fitted for a top tint screen on my E36 M3

[Glassman]

Mostro said:

I was wondering whether I could get it replaced legitimately, given that it is a danger in certain light conditions....

Technically speaking, if the 'damage' occurred before you took out insurance...

[Chewitt]

anecdotal....friend of mine's wife was refused insurance by a certain "Australian sounding" insurer on the basis she had 2 windscreen claims (on 2 separate cars) in the past 3 years. This was after the company ahd accepted an online application......

they claimed she must therefore live or drive in "a high risk area" - apparently no amount of restrained logical thought would alter their thought process.

they also then had to wrangle with the question "have you been refused insurance before"

[SirBlade]

if u get it replaced the seal will never be as good again. might even let in water. happened to my car when I took it to some Quick Twit like outfit

[tezzer]

Wife has done trhe same to her screen on the Fiesta. Picked up a lump of roadside snow to assist when the washers were frozen up and has etched a lovely swirl, right across the danger area come MoT time.

Bummer !

[Glassman]

SirBlade said:

if u get it replaced the seal will never be as good again. might even let in water. happened to my car when I took it to some Quick Twit like outfit

Bit of a sweeping statement