My windshield debacle with Safelight

[userdude]

Safelite is owned by the insurance industry and works as a cost containment vehicle for claims against their policies. They're also franchises, so they will be hit or miss based on the quality of labor. YMMV.

I went to Safelite for a chip last month and while it was pricey ($170) they did decent job. The guy, who was a young guy but not a teen, was professional and courteous. This is the only experience I have, but I have a neighbor that's had two rear windows replaced on his F-150 and one guy (older) was super professional to the point of being asinine, the other was apparently a jackass and got glue stuff and didn't clean up the glass very well.

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[AZ_Liberty]

I will say, I do have the additional "glass coverage" on my policies. Maybe that is the difference?

I also have AAA and zero deductible on glass. Safelite is AAA's preferred vendor. I even called my agent to bitch about it.

In the end, I paid zero using a local shop, so I won.

 

[dale137]

I just had mine replaced 5 hrs ago with aftermarket. He told me up front. Had the OEM not cracked as easy as it did I would have insisted on OEM. Has anyone seen a difference between oem and aftermarket? I figure when this one cracks next time ill get the OEM. I do think the recalibration is a big scam.

 

[Krimzun]

Safelight is a joke I had them come out and tell me because I had the Bronco lifted..... that they couldn't do the calibration. This is on a Sasquatch equiped bad lands that yah I added 37's and a new lift on but its only like 3 inches taller. I had to take it to a local shop and they were like thats odd not an issue so lesson learned Safelight isn't worth the time.

 

[Poppavein]

How do you know whether it's OEM glass?

 

[Scott R Nelson]

How do you know whether it's OEM glass?

Look at all of the black stuff on your windshield that says Ford and so on. It has all of that.

 

[dgorsett]

I just had mine replaced 5 hrs ago with aftermarket. He told me up front. Had the OEM not cracked as easy as it did I would have insisted on OEM. Has anyone seen a difference between oem and aftermarket? I figure when this one cracks next time ill get the OEM. I do think the recalibration is a big scam.

One data point: Ford glass lasted 9 months, Safelite replacement 24 months. Proves it.

 

[RedDawg]

I’ve replaced several windshields over the years with Safelite, including one on my Bronco. On time, professional and a clean job.
I’ll be using them again for my Bronco’s 3rd windshield

 

[MotoVexGT]

Mine got cracked by a compact chucking a rock into it, within a day of owning it. Took it to Safelite per my warranty (3 free windshields or summat), and they replaced it without scratching the paint, leaving glass or glue, etc.

It's been over a year, and I have two more chips. I am waiting for a crack to form, big enough to warrant another replacement. Then I'll probably throw a protectant film on the new one, as well as some light tinting.

 

[jrollo7]

I'll just say this: When you choose to work with an outfit like that (and I have NO experience with them at all), it's no different than going to Jiffy Lube or similar for oil changes. Often done by young kids who may have flipped burgers a month ago, or cut neighbor's grass. And yes, everyone deserves a chance to better themselves and get new careers...you don't want to be their guinea pigs...and what does that mean anyway? lol

USE A LOCAL BUSINESS that's been around. Likelihood of happy results climb.

My insurance company authorizes them so you just hope that issues are worked through and covered fairly.

 

[lakesinai]

So just like nearly every other Bronco owner out there, you've replaced a windshield on it already. I replaced mine within first 60 days of owning it, before I even made my first payment on it. That was a slight shitshow-they put an aftermarket glass in and I had them replace it with an OEM one, so my inspection sticker is holding on for dear life at this point.

Fast forward to two weeks ago-I noticed something on my windshield while taking a ride to a place my sister was renting, thought it was a dead bug....but saw it was a chip just above the inspection sticker on the drivers side. I ordered a repair kit that Sunday to fix it and it came Monday afternoon. I didn't get a chance to do it, but I took a ride Monday afternoon and the windshield just still had a nick it with no cracks.

I head into work Tuesday and as I'm pulling out of the garage, I'm greeted with a 5 inch crack in it. I contact my insurance company/Safelight and they are supposed to come out Thursday. I make sure I tell them I want an OEM glass so I don't run into a problem again like the first time.

Safelight is supposed to do the repair Thursday but I get a call that the guy has a flat and can't make it and get rescheduled for Saturday-then I get another call from the Safelight tech that day saying the windshield is damaged and I get rescheduled again for today-the tech makes it out and within 20 minutes, discovers that the windshield isn't compatible-apparently my '22 windshield has metal clips and the glass for the camera setup and the replacement has plastic clips in it? I saw the photos of it on the techs phone-but has anyone else run into that?

Well get to try again on Monday-meanwhile the crack in the glass is about 12 inches long....

I've had about 6 Safelite windshield replacements in PA and SC, F150, Subaru, Freestyle. They've always been competent. I've also had chip repair, including on the Bronco, and I believe it's better to have them do that instead of DYI, because if a chip repair spreads your windshield is already in the system and they've already worked on it and expected it might need replacement. Regarding OEM vs aftermarket, it comes down to what your insurance will pay Safelight . . . And the customer can always pay the difference in $. Safelite has always been clear with me on this point, sometimes they've told me that an aftermarket windshield is not available or will not work and at the times I've been offered the opportunity to pay the difference. That also seems to be age-related , the older the vehicle the more likely insurance will insists on an aftermarket. I say that because I've noticed that some 6G members have not checked whether they have paid for adequate comprehensive glass coverage that will pay for glass breakage, and then find they're on the hock for some money. I've also developed the habit of always taking my vehicle into the shop for glass replacement, even though they have mobile service, because I found that they do a better job in the shop and the sealants work better and the calibration of the electronic camera systems seems to work better in the shop as well. Nearing 65,000 MI, I've got a few small chips in my Bronco windshield but have yet to need replace the glass.

 

[fpostgate]

Safelite has done both of mine in Colorado Springs with no issues. I feel for you and your experiences.

Mine too, and its a good job. Also im not so sure the OEM can be that much better, i cracked my OEM glass changing a windshield wiper. I barely snapped it accidentally and a few days later it was a 7 in long crack.

 

[Los]

I also have AAA and zero deductible on glass. Safelite is AAA's preferred vendor. I even called my agent to bitch about it.

In the end, I paid zero using a local shop, so I won.

How did you get zero deductible? I tried that thru AAA and they told me my deducted will be $250.
Then again I live in Southern Cali... LoL...

 

[AZ_Liberty]

How did you get zero deductible? I tried that thru AAA and they told me my deducted will be $250.
Then again I live in Southern Cali... LoL...

Arizona State law.

If you have comprehensive coverage, windshields are zero deductible. And per ARS 20-263 it's unlawful for your insurance company to raise your rate for a no fault windshield claim.

But when I lived in Cali, adding zero deductible glass coverage only cost me $20 extra a year or so as a separate rider.

 

[dale137]

How do you know whether it's OEM glass?

passenger side lower corner said for, now mine says made in usa.

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