Windshield Replacement - OEM vs Aftermarket

[FukuokaKid]

On my way home Thursday I hit with a rock that cracked my windshield. It is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. This is the 1st windshield I'll have to replace in 22 years of driving here in Hawaii. My insurance, Statefarm, denied my claim for an OEM windshield and an aftermarket one from a local glass shop is less than my deductible. So I am stuck deciding on $460 for aftermarket or $600 for OEM. Is the $140ish premium worth it for OEM? The aftermarket one maybe PPG (they would not know until the opened the crate).

 

[90210]

1500 miles in owning a car, big rock hit and broke glass. First of 29 cars I needed to replace windshield.

I have glass coverage, so 0 deductible. I went with aftermarket, and it has been great for 3 years, and it was exact copy (including the black OEM border)

 

[Vasy]

On my way home Thursday I hit with a rock that cracked my windshield. It is beyond repair and needs to be replaced. This is the 1st windshield I'll have to replace in 22 years of driving here in Hawaii. My insurance, Statefarm, denied my claim for an OEM windshield and an aftermarket one from a local glass shop is less than my deductible. So I am stuck deciding on $460 for aftermarket or $600 for OEM. Is the $140ish premium worth it for OEM? The aftermarket one maybe PPG (they would not know until the opened the crate).

Wow, expensive. you have more then $460 deductible for a windshield claim?? We have a special deductible of $300 just on the windshields when you buy accidental car damage.
I had some GM cars done for as low as $200 with aftermarket and had no issue with the work, can't tell from OEM, I guess the guy who did the install was good.
I suppose in Hawaii everything is more expensive.

 

[FukuokaKid]

Wow, expensive. you have more then $460 deductible for a windshield claim?? We have a special deductible of $300 just on the windshields when you buy accidental car damage.
I had some GM cars done for as low as $200 with aftermarket and had no issue with the work, can't tell from OEM, I guess the guy who did the install was good.
I suppose in Hawaii everything is more expensive.

Yup, my deductible is 500. This month sucks. Never had to make a claim in 22 years and this month I have 2. 1st someone hit & run the wife's new truck and then this. That $1100 in repairs!

For StateFarm in Hawaii, windshield are handled though your comprehensive plan. There is no separate rider available. And, OEM will only be approved is the vehicle is less than 2 year old. At least that is what I've been told.

In Hawaii there is no such thing as MSRP. Everything has a markup. Dealers typically mark up the car $3500+. Then there is parts... Take retail, and mark that up 25%. That's what we pay. Lucky we live Hawaii!

 

[90210]

When mine happend (car was practically new), there was no "OEM" option at all... so I didn't have choice.

INterestingly my aftermarket windshield has taken a lot more ABUSE than the "OEM" and it hasn't cracked like the junk OEM has.

Good luck!

 

[FukuokaKid]

INterestingly my aftermarket windshield has taken a lot more ABUSE than the "OEM" and it hasn't cracked like the junk OEM has.

What brand is your aftermarket one?

 

[Meisenman]

My previous car (VW Passat) had a cracked windshield. My insurance policy (with Farmers) has a $100 deductible (dunno whether OEM or aftermarket is specified; I don't care, as it has to meet DOT standards).

The only question I had to answer (besides the cause of the failure) was at the installer's shop: Did the car have rain-sensor glass? Whatever they installed worked just fine.

 

[90210]

What brand is your aftermarket one?

I will have to check the receipt. After shopping around it was installed by Safelite Autoglass.

The installer did 2 other local Mazda5s.