Should I use a service like Safelite mobile repair to replace my 971 windshield or take to dealer? Have a $500 deductible either way. Seems like a no-brainer unless the dealer is just going to call a service to replace it then upcharge my insurance co.

BTW - Left the defroster on to melt snow and when I came back to turn it off, snow was gone but had a 12" crack in the windshield. No idea where it came from (no visible chips before) but it needs to be replaced (too big to repair).

 

Don't let Safelite do it. Insurance companies love them because they use cheap Chinese glass. Dealers usually sub it out too, but anyone is better than Safelite. Goto the dealer or a trusted glass shop. FYI your insurance likely will not pay for OEM glass so you will need to cover the difference if thats what you want.

 

My experience with a 997.1 C2S: My insurance company (USAA) uses Safelite. When I made the claim I demanded OEM glass and they didn't fight. Safelite put it in but it wasn't the right rubber seal and it looked like sh*t. I took pictures of cars with the OEM glass installed from the factory. Finally, after talking to the Manager, they got it in. It wasn't perfect but it wasn't going to get any better. The quality of the install may vary from shop to shop. But make certain before you get a mess.

 

I pay $50 / year glass insurance through my insurance company. No deductible. I use dealer for Porsche cars but also used Safelite and asked for OEM brand. No issue.
normally for Porsche because of sensors, antenna etc and programming, it’s safer to use OEM than risk using non-OEM glass and something not working.

 

I just had this issue earlier this year and this is what I did. My insurance did not push back on going through the dealership. I called them and they have a glass company that they only work with for Porsche Vehicles. They helped to coordinate the work using OEM Glass and it was done on site at the dealership. The work was perfect. I would recommend asking your local dealerships who they use and go with them.

 

Called around looking for a non-dealer, non-Safelite shop to do the work. Had a long conversation with the manager of a glass shop (which a Porsche independent mechanic referred). He looked in the system and said aftermarket windshield was not available for the 971 so would need to buy OEM regardless. Maybe that is why insurance companies are not pushing back when people request OEM glass...

 

I used safelite to replace my windshield. It’s looks good and it looks just like the oem glass. Even the black border is identical.

 

I’ve used Safelight on another vehicle for a $3k windshield but the car had night vision. They installed the oem, there were no issues. You have to confirm that they will install oem or refuse the work.

 

Read your policy - I have USAA, had to replace a windshield on an S-Class. Wanted to use the dealer; USAA pushed Safelite. I had to argue them into letting me take it to the dealership on their (and only their) dime. Winning argument for that car was that after replacing the windshield the night vision camera had to be "calibrated", which Safelite couldn't do, only the dealer. I argued that USAA had no contractual right to compel me to divvy up a "single" repair among two "shops" at two different times when it could be done by one shop, at one time - policy language supported my position. USAA did relent, but they didn't want to ...

 

I would not fix a windshield with anything added to it outside a dealer. They'll wash their hands if you have any warranty issues with those cameras and sensors.

 

My experience was there is no after market windshield available, only OEM. No pushback from State Farm on cost of dealer install. Prefer dealer for warranty of install knowing they’ll own it if any problems.

 

I haven't read through this whole thread yet. Just a quick reply:

My local Lexus dealerships would not install windshields. They recommended Safelite. I ordered OEM Lexus glass, my insurance was cool with it, and Safelite installed it.

So, that's possible if your local Porsche dealership won't install it.

 

I don’t know if dealer installed or had 3rd party like safelite do install. It was no more cost than safelite quote i got with them buying OEM windshield. But by going thru dealer i know they’re on the hook if ever have issues with it. Safelite may be good but wanted piece of mind.

 

Used safelight 1st time on my 1 week old 2020 GTS. No problems. Factory glass used. Used them again for glass last year. Nightmare. Didn’t get a good seal so had wind nose but worse then that they cut my leather interior on the steering wheel and center console that is leather as well. Also scraped my leather upgrade shift **** that has the Porsche shield embossed and cost me over $900. Dealer has a leather repair guy that hid the damage. Not perfect but never again. I will go with Porsche from now on.

 

I have a no deductible for windshield on my policy, but just curious what a dealer installed windshield would cost out of pocket. Like $2k?

I'm hearing more and more you should set up your insurance to not do windshields, that insurance companies are dropping people for the smallest things. Just have a high deductible and pay out of pocket.
Submitted a claim on my wife's Lexus for the windshield with multiple cracks, GEICO denied it. I dropped GEICO.