Windscreen replacement - can you insist on Porsche parts?
Discussion
I've got a crack appeared across my 'screen so will need to call the insurers in the morning. I'm insured with 'Porsche Insurance' which is an Aviva policy. I can't see in the small print if you can insist on a Porsche glass as opposed to a pattern part from Autoglass. Obviously I want to do it under the windscreen replacement part of the policy. Anyone had a similar experience? I'm just thinking that in the event that a non-standard part is fitted that the warranty might be compromised - a bit far fetched but there have been some examples of OPCs refusing claims for this reason.
I spoke to Porsche Insurance yesterday about a new policy - replacement windscreen with a Porsche OEM item at a OPC was one of the questions I asked, and they told me that would be covered.
Sounded like a good policy to me? Bridle also sounds good, they quoted cheaper but with less miles and a higher excess.
Sounded like a good policy to me? Bridle also sounds good, they quoted cheaper but with less miles and a higher excess.
Non-genuine parts would definitely invalidate a claim on the current policy (concerning systems associated with the screen - eg: radio reception).
A non-genuine screen if detected would invalidate a renewal also.
Some companies insist the insured pays the difference between OEM and Pattern.......
A non-genuine screen if detected would invalidate a renewal also.
Some companies insist the insured pays the difference between OEM and Pattern.......
Porsche insurance let you replace with an OEM screen. I had to have mine fitted by Autoglass though and was not impressed that my OPC would not take the job on.
Autoglass showed me the screen before fitting and after I drove the car into their premises, it didn't turn a wheel and I drove it out.
MrDemon and Zyp from here both saw their handiwork afterwards when my car was parked next to theirs at the RS day at Oulton Park
Autoglass showed me the screen before fitting and after I drove the car into their premises, it didn't turn a wheel and I drove it out.
MrDemon and Zyp from here both saw their handiwork afterwards when my car was parked next to theirs at the RS day at Oulton Park
I think it cost about £595 or £695 to have a genuine Porsche screen fitted by Autoscreen Ltd (who do all the glass for Lloyds Autobody and Wilmslow OPC).
With Mannings you can either have their approved fitter install glass and you just pay £60 excess. Or if you want to specify your own fitter and OEM glass (like I did) you pay the fitter yourself and Mannings send you a cheque minus £100 (excess) on receipt of invoice.
Jack
With Mannings you can either have their approved fitter install glass and you just pay £60 excess. Or if you want to specify your own fitter and OEM glass (like I did) you pay the fitter yourself and Mannings send you a cheque minus £100 (excess) on receipt of invoice.
Jack
gred said:
I've got a crack appeared across my 'screen so will need to call the insurers in the morning. I'm insured with 'Porsche Insurance' which is an Aviva policy. I can't see in the small print if you can insist on a Porsche glass as opposed to a pattern part from Autoglass. Obviously I want to do it under the windscreen replacement part of the policy. Anyone had a similar experience? I'm just thinking that in the event that a non-standard part is fitted that the warranty might be compromised - a bit far fetched but there have been some examples of OPCs refusing claims for this reason.
First and foremost, if you make that call, do not select the 'windscreen' or windscreen claims option if you end up at an automated switchboard. Equally, if there is a 'glassline' number on your policy, do not use it! Your call will be diverted to their preferred, or nominated supplier (and they will answer the call in a way that makes you believe they are the insurance company's glass department!). It's better to start with your broker if you have one. A lot of Aviva's calls are handled and received in Asia and you can be on hold or passed around for a long time!The information you need will - and should - be in the Key Facts part of your policy.
Some Aviva policies are restricted - Aviva Direct are capped at £125.00 total claim value, and there are a few policies which are limited at £500.00 total payout. There may also be some persuasion towards using a nominated supplier, or paying a higher excess if you choose not to; in some cases there may even be a restriction which means they'll settle the FULL claim if you use their preferred supplier (they may use the term, unlimited for this) or if you are a naughty boy and don't do as you're told, they will only pay part of the claim if you went to a Porsche specialist!
Do not be put off by any of this as in most cases, it's just the insurer trying to protect the insurer-supplier deal they have, and it may even be that the advisor is unaware of your rights (or that what they're trying to do is anti competitive by way of applying dissimilar trading conditions, etc!). They may even suggest that whoever fits the screen must process the claim via 'Glasscare', which is a Supplier Invoice Control Program owned by the same organisation which owns Autoglass (they also boast the largest aftermarket glass distribution business in the UK).
Insist on a GENUINE Porsche windscreen. If anyone tells you that one without the Porsche crest on it is the same, they don't know what they're talking about and are potentially trying to con or dupe you. Only in a few rare examples the OEM branded/non badged screens are the same.
For anyone else reading this thread, the OP's question highlights just how important it is to thrash out the 'OEM parts,' and 'choosing your own installer' points BEFORE policy inception. This is YOUR car, why wouldn't YOU stipulate some of those terms? In the circumstances, if it means paying a supplement, I would rather negotiate THAT, than be stuck in an obligation to use a company who specialise in the fast-fit of cheap parts.
The insurance industry's business model is such that it likes to take money when there's no trouble, but will find a way of not giving it back when there is.
Edited by Glassman on Wednesday 4th June 07:23
The circled bit....
...is not accurate.
In fact, it's far from the reality. They've been using this line for quite sometime and AFAIK, still do, and this is despite their spokesperson admitting that they need to "review" the wording. Many people have been deterred from using their own preferred supplier when they were perfectly entitled to do so.
...is not accurate.
In fact, it's far from the reality. They've been using this line for quite sometime and AFAIK, still do, and this is despite their spokesperson admitting that they need to "review" the wording. Many people have been deterred from using their own preferred supplier when they were perfectly entitled to do so.
Thanks to Glassman for his advice, called. Porsche Insurance today and their approach is;
1 OEM 'screen but fitted by Autoglass and cost £75
2 use OPC to fit OEM 'screen and pay full invoice. Send copy invoice to insurers and get reimbursed less £75. Could take up to 10 days.
As I'd prefer to keep the car 100% within the network I'll gothe second route. At least using a credit card there's no real issue.
1 OEM 'screen but fitted by Autoglass and cost £75
2 use OPC to fit OEM 'screen and pay full invoice. Send copy invoice to insurers and get reimbursed less £75. Could take up to 10 days.
As I'd prefer to keep the car 100% within the network I'll gothe second route. At least using a credit card there's no real issue.
gred said:
Thanks to Glassman for his advice, called. Porsche Insurance today and their approach is;
1 OEM 'screen but fitted by Autoglass and cost £75
2 use OPC to fit OEM 'screen and pay full invoice. Send copy invoice to insurers and get reimbursed less £75. Could take up to 10 days.
As I'd prefer to keep the car 100% within the network I'll gothe second route. At least using a credit card there's no real issue.
A small inconvenience outweighed by the benefits. 1 OEM 'screen but fitted by Autoglass and cost £75
2 use OPC to fit OEM 'screen and pay full invoice. Send copy invoice to insurers and get reimbursed less £75. Could take up to 10 days.
As I'd prefer to keep the car 100% within the network I'll gothe second route. At least using a credit card there's no real issue.
Bennachie said:
How bad/good are autoglass? Or is it a piece of string. ie there are good and bad fitters everywhere. Who is to say that if your car goes to OPC autoglass will not do it anyway? being sub contracted by OPC?
They are a massive company; global, in fact. They're in almost every country (albeit under different trading names). As you suspect, there are good and bad fitters everywhere; the corporate brands as well as the smaller independents. IME, the standard of workmanship has not improved in the quarter of a century I've been active in this industry. I'd go as far as saying standards have slipped as the emphasis on speed and ease (of fit) washes over the trade. The specialist skills - especially on older cars - are fading away and there's no real focus on tailoring especially for the busier companies. My time at two of the well known nationally operated businesses in the UK exposed me to a world of fast-fit and cover-ups. You either join in to hit your targets, or earn pittance. Many of the low earners/lesser experienced head into training (hahaha!) management and supervisory roles.
There are many small independents, from one-man-bands to those employing a handful of fitters, and the good and bad split applies in this sector too. Generally speaking, the automotive glazing trade is full of knobheads who couldn't care less about tomorrow. Too many focus on getting home, to the pub, or sitting on their arses doing nothing. Line up 100 fitters and you'll need to get through a lot of them to find 10 good ones. The rest will range from average (your Steady Eddies) to novice (who should not be allowed within three metres of any car!).
It's no surprise that winning big contracts when the competition is so cut-throat comes at an expense: cheaper glass/products, and higher volumes. Essential parts are not being fitted (such as rain sensor gel pads, trims, clips etc) because they all cost, or the fitter doesn't have the time (or the motivation) to do the job properly.
Am I being harsh? Perhaps. But I'm basing my opinion on what I see day in, day out. From the large company cock-ups to the small company fails. Talking to some of the lads employed by Autoglass, they're moaning on how they can no longer use certain trade tools. Everything has changed and they're forever having to adapt to safer, quicker or what impresses their employer's BEST customers: the insurance companies.
One of the jobs today was a 996 rain sensor not working after the insurance 'nominated' company fitted the windscreen. The sensor (which requires a gel coating on the 'face' part) had been refitted with bathroom sealant. The chap who fitted the screen told the car owner, "they don't work anyway". Cock.
:rant-tastic:
I feel certain OPCs do not replace windscreens themselves but sub the work out just as they would to refurbish alloys. I've had good experience of Autoglass but it's definitely down to the fitter and it's better to take the car in than have them mess about with cheese wire on your driveway.
Like many other inscos, Aviva use a price control mechanism. Below is an excerpt from an email I got in response to a price query after their prescribed price for a 996 windscreen replacement which just wasn't viable (and given they are part of a windscreen fitting business, there was no way their price was going to be in our favour!)
[sic]
"A Porche has 4 wheels 2 doors and does the same thing as other motor vehicles on the road it gets you from A to B all be it a bit faster I have owned one. Changing a screen on that had the same PAS 125 procedures for replacing a windscreen as any other car. From checking the working environment ensuring this is safe - making safe and covering the interior car removing interior covers trims if required., to removing the screen, putting in a safe place and replacing and installling the new screen, etc etc etc.
"I am authorised by the insurance companys to provide pricing based within the boundarys of their contract to us and the knowledge I have and at my disposal. i am not willing to further the pricing just because of the Brand."
[sic]
"A Porche has 4 wheels 2 doors and does the same thing as other motor vehicles on the road it gets you from A to B all be it a bit faster I have owned one. Changing a screen on that had the same PAS 125 procedures for replacing a windscreen as any other car. From checking the working environment ensuring this is safe - making safe and covering the interior car removing interior covers trims if required., to removing the screen, putting in a safe place and replacing and installling the new screen, etc etc etc.
"I am authorised by the insurance companys to provide pricing based within the boundarys of their contract to us and the knowledge I have and at my disposal. i am not willing to further the pricing just because of the Brand."
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