Need to replace glass, experience with USAA?
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 59
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From: Redondo Beach, CA
Need to replace glass, experience with USAA?
Something got thrown into my window on my way back home from celebrating father's day with my dad. Looks like the window needs to be replaced - big crack that's about an inch long on my 2015 991.1.
Called USA and it looks like they do their glass claims through Safelite Solutions.
Has anyone had any experience with USAA? Am I going to run into any trouble getting an OEM window replacement?
Also, I have a lease (6 months to go)... are there any potential problems that I can run into if they claim that I need to go 3rd party?
Thanks.
Called USA and it looks like they do their glass claims through Safelite Solutions.
Has anyone had any experience with USAA? Am I going to run into any trouble getting an OEM window replacement?
Also, I have a lease (6 months to go)... are there any potential problems that I can run into if they claim that I need to go 3rd party?
Thanks.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 542
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From: Southern NH near MA Border
I know USAA uses Safelite, but you should probably talk with both USAA and Safelite in advance to find out if they can use the OEM glass. Then, before you agree to replacement, check with your dealer to see what they have to say. There is no guarantee that even the dealer will use OEM glass. I think you just need information from everyone to find out ahead of time what they will use. I guess a final check could be with PCNA. They certainly ought to know.
Sorry to hear about your damage. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about your damage. Good luck!
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,072
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From: Austin, TX
The Safelite guys here did a great job with my Porsche windshield replacement several weeks ago. They have all of the modern equipment needed to do it well. Coincidentally they just had to do my Lexus's windshield last week too... another job well done.
I don't know about USAA, but I imagine most companies handle this the same way. With Geico, they insisted that they would only pay for the aftermarket windshield and it was quite a bit cheaper than the OEM one. I appealed this with two different reps on the phone but couldn't get them to budge. I ended up going with the OEM one anyway but it cost me a little over $500 out of pocket in addition to my $251 glass deductible. The total cost from Safelite was $1259 just so you know what to expect for OEM replacement cost.
On the Lexus I just used the aftermarket one and it seems to be just fine.
I don't know about USAA, but I imagine most companies handle this the same way. With Geico, they insisted that they would only pay for the aftermarket windshield and it was quite a bit cheaper than the OEM one. I appealed this with two different reps on the phone but couldn't get them to budge. I ended up going with the OEM one anyway but it cost me a little over $500 out of pocket in addition to my $251 glass deductible. The total cost from Safelite was $1259 just so you know what to expect for OEM replacement cost.
On the Lexus I just used the aftermarket one and it seems to be just fine.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: New Orleans, LA (NOLA)
I did this about 18 months ago through USAA. They did give me some trouble but I also didn't push them hard enough. I talked to safe lite and they didn't use OEM normally (they could get it though). They insisted that it was just as good as OEM (of course). Safelite was about $650. OEM through Safe lite was about $1100. Dealer was about $1300.
After I had all the info (my deductible is $1000), I went back to USAA and they gave me the run around. I've been a member for 29 years. Decided to just pay the dealer and avoid the claim. The dealer probably used safe lite. lol. They told me it was an off-site vendor.
Anyway. That is my experience.
After I had all the info (my deductible is $1000), I went back to USAA and they gave me the run around. I've been a member for 29 years. Decided to just pay the dealer and avoid the claim. The dealer probably used safe lite. lol. They told me it was an off-site vendor.
Anyway. That is my experience.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
Thanks, I mentioned that I wanted OEM and they said that that is a possibility, but we'll see how things turn out. I need to make some calls on Monday to get them the info to make the claim move forward.
I'm a bit worried because I have a lease, so I don't know if not going OEM is an option...?
I'm a bit worried because I have a lease, so I don't know if not going OEM is an option...?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 82
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From: Memphis, TN
Always had excellent results with USAA and Safelite, not with the Porsche yet but with my Mercedes. They did try a non-OEM glass but had issues with the rainsense wipers so they put in the OEM glass and it fixed the problem. Was pretty painless and they were easy to work with in solving the problem.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
Had my windshield replaced about 9 months ago, using SafeLight.
Except for a small piece of red plastic something sticking out of the edge of the windshield seal, the installation/replacement went well. OEM glass was used, as it was the only option at that time (as I was told).
I did fight one problem for a month or so afterwards. My auto headlight sensing was overly sensitive. The headlights would come on even on mostly sunny days. The would not turn off unless I drove directly into the sunlight on those days.
After 2 trips to the dealer AND a few posts here on RennList, the location of the headlight sensor was finally properly identified (in the rearview mirror cluster). The installation of the new windshield required replacing the clear adhesive pad that adheres this sensor to the windshield. The replacement pad was either too thick or not opaque enough to let the proper light through. Dealer replaced the pad, thankfully at no cost to me. Auto-headlights now work properly.
Just something to check when the new windshield is about to go in.
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/9600...locations.html
Except for a small piece of red plastic something sticking out of the edge of the windshield seal, the installation/replacement went well. OEM glass was used, as it was the only option at that time (as I was told).
I did fight one problem for a month or so afterwards. My auto headlight sensing was overly sensitive. The headlights would come on even on mostly sunny days. The would not turn off unless I drove directly into the sunlight on those days.
After 2 trips to the dealer AND a few posts here on RennList, the location of the headlight sensor was finally properly identified (in the rearview mirror cluster). The installation of the new windshield required replacing the clear adhesive pad that adheres this sensor to the windshield. The replacement pad was either too thick or not opaque enough to let the proper light through. Dealer replaced the pad, thankfully at no cost to me. Auto-headlights now work properly.
Just something to check when the new windshield is about to go in.
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/9600...locations.html
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 381
Likes: 15
From: CT
I had USAA replace four windshields on various cars using the Safelite service. You do need to insist on OEM glass and make sure they have the specifications for rain sensing and headlight sensing. They always did a good job and it's a no deductible service.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
Thanks for the info. Sounds like I'm on the right path so far then. Yesterday I've asked for OEM and told them that I have antennas in the glass and electronics including a rain sensor attached. Today I need to figure out who the dealer sources their glass repair to so the claims adjuster can see if they're a participating vendor.
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,628
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From: Maryland USA
I recently had a Macan windshield replaced. There was a difference in cost between Safelight and what my Porsche dealer wanted (e.g. for their 3rd party installer). The insurance company was willing to send a check for the Safelight price. As the dealership specified OEM glass, I decided to use the dealer and pay the difference. At the end of the day, when they billed me, they gave me a 10% PCA member parts discount- and I came out more than just fine!