I currently have a 2022 330i lease that is due for return mid October. Unfortunately yesterday I had a large rock fly off a dump truck and damage the windshield.
I’m waiting on a few quotes from local glass shops. I have not got a quote from BMW yet.
I also have MSDs with BMW so I could potentially just return it with the damaged glass, knowing they’ll bill me for the replacement.
I’m also planning to complete my pre return inspection this week, (apparently they use an app now?). How accurate are the damage estimates from a pre-return inspection? Do they generally align with BMW service quotes from the dealer for the same job?
For example, if I complete the pre-inspection using the app and it tells me I’ll owe $1000 for the windshield, can I count on that? Or will my final bill from BMW be higher?
Just trying to figure out the best plan of action.
The pre return inspection is usually gospel so if says you owe 2000$ then expect bmw to bill you that, barring something really bad happening to the car after inspection.
The price on inspection sheet is usually less than paying cash yourself as it is the wholesale vs the retail value.
If you do replace it BMW requires OEM glass especially if you have the Heads up display
Source? I do not have HUD or DAP, pretty base model with the standard connected drive mirror.
Unless it’s going to be significantly cheaper to get done myself ahead of time, Im leaning toward just turning in. No chance of getting another rock between now and then and no way they can have an issue with the work from another shop.
I also have a $250 comprehensive deductible, but I think I’d like to avoid that as I’m afraid rates will go up despite what anyone says. I will have to check my policy and see if they pay for OEM glass, that might be the only way it’s worth going through insurance.
I got one quote back so far from a local shop $855 for OEM glass and calibration. They said insurance would likely approve OEM as they couldn’t find anything else in stock.
I’ll complete my lease pre inspection and see what they come up with. If it’s close I think my best bet is to just leave it go, it’s not in my field of view. Plus they can’t have any issue with the repair, and I won’t risk my insurance going up over $600.
If you do repair it after inspection you will need to submit the receipt to BMW Financial so they don’t charge you. (They do automatically, you need to reach out first)
Is it just a star crack? If so, go get a glass repair kit from the local auto parts store and seal it yourself. I have done this on a couple of rental cars without them ever charging me anything upon return.
Your insurance isn’t going to increase. This has happened a few times and my rate never went up. My deductible was $500, which was better than paying $1000
How new is the car? I had some small pitting like 6 months after I got this car and Safeljte was close to $1000 just for glass, not including calibration.
Safelite is now $381 for the glass. Not sure it’s OEM though.
I have some discount right now for “no claims in 3 years” but not sure if it means collision, comp, or ANY claims period. Unless I can find clarification not worth it to me, probably just raise my comp deductible to $500 next renew/car.
Just went through insurance issues. Let me tell you how it worked for me…
Had a $100 comp deductible. I used it to get new windshield which for my M4 with HUD was $1200.
My insurance company did not increase me at all. 1.5 years no issue.
I went to get new insurance quotes and the CLUE report and ISCR the 2 reports any insurance company runs showed a claim on the date. I go wtf no i didnt. Then i remembered it was for thr glass. They wanted $120 more a month bc of a comp claim for glass.
Do not go through insurance to save $500 or so dollars.
I had a windshield put in a month or so ago. The glass replacement was just over $1,500 for the OEM Porsche glass and the calibration was another $850.
I would definitely look into what the actual costs (comparison) would be vs rolling the dice.
I used to be in the insurance biz in PA and CLUE reports clearly specify if the claims were comp or collision. Comp was never penalized when potential clients were shopping our rates. If there was a descrepency, I would ask the potential client to provide documentation from the current insurance company to clarify the details of the claim to be able to exclude it. Now if you have 10 of them, who the hell knows what the system calculates behind the scenes.
That said, insurance rules vary from state to state and no clue if rules changed in the last 8 or so years.
Just curious, have you gotten any buy out quotes vs just turning the car in? You may or may not have equity, or at the very least break even with the cracked window. To fix this at a dealer at cost is penny’s on the dollar for them in house.
I have Geico insurance they cover I think 2 windshields a year for $50 a piece. Does no hit you as a claim. Call your instance company and see if they offer something similar.
Just a comp claim for replacement for me. Repair would be free.
Are you in PA? I’ve yet to find a company that offers a full glass replacement rider. Maybe I have to call and ask, but when shopping for insurance online I never see the option. I know someone in NJ who does have a full glass replacement option, so maybe it’s state by state?
It does not have to be OEM, but OEM quality. Safelite should be able to tell you if the glass they use meets OEM specs. Also, does the inspection house really check the specs on the windshield if they see no obvious defects?
