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Earlier this afternoon on the highway, something large, gray and black suddenly appeared and in a fraction of a second smashed into our windshield, resulting in the following (shots taken at our Porsche dealer which was nearby). Insurance claim filed by phone, we declined resolution by Safelite (to whom the glass team at our insurer usually routes the claims), dealer ordered OEM Porsche replacement, and we're awaiting a call from the assigned adjuster who, we hope, will authorize coverage of OEM replacement. We are immensely grateful that we were not injured or worse. My best guess is that it was an extremely unfortunate goose; we've seen a lot of them around.
In regards to Safelite, I had them replace my windshield due to a pretty large crack that appeared after a rock chip.
The first time they came out was with a "OEM like" replacement, but the tech actually didn't install it due to the replica having extra antenna wires (in front of the driver's view) compared to the OEM glass. I'm glad he did that because I'm not sure most installers would have cared.
They eventually came back out with an OEM piece of glass from a local dealership (same deductible to me) and did that replacement which I was much happier about.
In regards to Safelite, I had them replace my windshield due to a pretty large crack that appeared after a rock chip.
The first time they came out was with a "OEM like" replacement, but the tech actually didn't install it due to the replica having extra antenna wires (in front of the driver's view) compared to the OEM glass. I'm glad he did that because I'm not sure most installers would have cared.
They eventually came back out with an OEM piece of glass from a local dealership (same deductible to me) and did that replacement which I was much happier about.
Yes, glass shops will call it OEM replacement and then also offer the more expensive OEM, but that more expensive OEM doesn’t mean it’s really OEM.
On my Ridgeline, I wanted that little Honda “H” logo that’s in the lower corner and I had to review my claim with my insurance agent to approve it.
The lesson is to make sure you’re getting what you want with any vehicle you own
My worry with glass is not so much the type of glass, but the installer. Bad installers gouge the frame down to bare metal all behind the glass and 5+ years later you wonder why your car is rusting there or why your windshield is leaking, or they break expensive mouldings and glue them. The dealership just brings someone random in to do it, so very hit or miss.
Yes, glass shops will call it OEM replacement and then also offer the more expensive OEM, but that more expensive OEM doesn’t mean it’s really OEM.
On my Ridgeline, I wanted that little Honda “H” logo that’s in the lower corner and I had to review my claim with my insurance agent to approve it.
The lesson is to make sure you’re getting what you want with any vehicle you own
Simple way to ensure this is to go through a dealer and make sure they order the glass from Porsche. They use local installers, usually Safelite, to then come and do the install.
My worry with glass is not so much the type of glass, but the installer. Bad installers gouge the frame down to bare metal all behind the glass and 5+ years later you wonder why your car is rusting there or why your windshield is leaking, or they break expensive mouldings and glue them. The dealership just brings someone random in to do it, so very hit or miss.
Dealerships don't bring some rando in to do it. They have relationships with experienced local installers, usually Safelite. Do you honestly think Porsche dealerships would use just some Joe Blow to do work for their customers?
Dealerships don't bring some rando in to do it. They have relationships with experienced local installers, usually Safelite. Do you honestly think Porsche dealerships would use just some Joe Blow to do work for their customers?
Bit of a disconnect on our definitions of ‘experienced local installers’ and ‘randos’.
Dealerships like to use banner shops; price and availability are why IMO, and quality is not really a factor. Banner shops are hit or miss who they are staffed by and who they send out; you could get a guy coming out that is one of the best guy's in the area for quality, or one of the worst. They generally pay installer staff very little and get what they pay for too. So they’ll send out some random who is available right now vs cherry picking their best guy.
If you want a good glass install you want to use a specific guy as it eliminates the random employee factor. All (and I do mean all) the high end bodyshops in my area use one guy’s company, but he’s not cheap and he works to a schedule so he won’t come right now, but he doesn’t screw stuff up and when he’s instantly telling you about it and making it right, not trying to hide it. I once asked him if he tried to do business with high end dealerships and they all were not interested; they just don’t care enough about quality as it’s not their problem imo. I also tried to pass his name on to a dealership we were fixing a particularly bad F up by a banner shop (about $2500 in damage done) and they also weren’t interested, they were just going to go with another cheap banner shop.
07-22-2021, 07:08 PM
Big Bird 1, Spyder 0
