Replacement Windscreen cost?

[GeeYou8]

Had to pay for one on a hire GU7 in Kalgoorlie a couple of years ago, $700, we got a chip but it already had 3 when we picked it up.
Panel beaters quotes $275 for the Getz yesterday.
I had 3x screens in 35 years, the last one 2 weeks after getting a new car, then chipped it 2 weeks later on the same stretch of road.
I was looking at the glass cover too, might opt out because insurance won't replace scratched or lots of tiny chips.
Graham

[Winnie]

Had to pay for one on a hire GU7 in Kalgoorlie a couple of years ago, $700, we got a chip but it already had 3 when we picked it up.
Panel beaters quotes $275 for the Getz yesterday.
I had 3x screens in 35 years, the last one 2 weeks after getting a new car, then chipped it 2 weeks later on the same stretch of road.
I was looking at the glass cover too, might opt out because insurance won't replace scratched or lots of tiny chips.
Graham

You don't own a hammer?

[missingdna]

when getting a quote make sure you are getting the whole package price...they may advise a price on glass install alone then warn of possible molding if needed.
A gu factory mould is a 2 part piece. The retainer, which is stuck to the body of the car and the push in mould that presses into the retainer after the glass is glued in place. This system looks good when new but shit when reused which is why a new moulding is usually quoted. This new moulding is fitted a different way but looks as good as factory.

When the screen is changed the cowling and lower mould will need to be removed. if the fitter tries to cut the screen out without doing this stop them.
Make sure they do not butcher the opening when cutting the old glass out...... hacking away with knives scratches the shit out of the apperture and if not treated, will lead to rust.

a gu screen done properly, with no unexpected surprises will take 40 odd minutes to install.

insurance windscreen coverage: if you are going regional or further then its a good idea.... a basic screen will cost you 500 plus in the Pilbara and im sure other remote areas are the same price wise. I can budget 50-60 dollars a year for the insurance but pretty sure an unexpected 2-3 hundred dollar or more bill when travelling, or anytime really will catch me without the free cash to fork out at that time.

[MudRunnerTD]

Note also that Glass Cover is more than Windscreen Cover. I smashed my windscreen from an oncoming vehicle on the Meetup in the Middle. Was a zero cost replacement when I got home. I could have had it replaced at birdsville or Alice if needed though.

The kicker for this cover though is..... It's glass cover! Ever got a price for the Rear Window of a GU smashed from a rock off your Camper!!! Sit Down when you call for a quote!

Worth every cent.

A hammer is your friend

[MudRunnerTD]

Hmmmm, I was thinking that with our intended travel we will be driving a lot more on outback gravel roads & single lane bitumen roads which road trains use, & that the chances of getting a broken windscreen are probably higher, but at the prices you blokes are talking about, I think I agree with Plasnart that paying extra on the insurance probably isn’t worth it in the long run.

Thanks all.

Crazy talk!

If you are going to drive around town for the next 10 years then fine, for Outback Travel your off you head mate! Will you be venturing out Touring without RACV Cover? For the same reason.

I smashed a screen on the Madigan Trip and again on the Meetup in the middle. My wife has had a Cracked Screen (this is far more common than a smashed screen) in her Volvo and was $900!!

No brainer I reckon for outback touring.

[BigRAWesty]

Raa have a free front window replacement.. no excess..
1 a year but they will replace more than one within a year for $100...
That's worth it in my opinion.
But cuppa if you gotta pay $70 a year then it's sorta not worth it..

[the evil twin]

I carry glass cover as a no brainer IMHO but...

If I was making the decision on Glass cover/No glass cover I would;
Remember that many policies are only 1 free claim per year
Get a quote for a rear window & demister as well as a front screen
Call up say Oodnadatta or Birdsville or Broome and ask for a quote
Some people find it much more comfortable to pay more over time rather than one great wack at once.

Purely based on the price for a front screen in a cap city or major regional town does not a wise decision make...

[Clunk]

yep, the extra glass cover really adds sod all to a monthly payment in the grand scheme of things........ would rather pay a few bucks extra a month than get hit with a large bill

[Winnie]

yep, the extra glass cover really adds sod all to a monthly payment in the grand scheme of things........ would rather pay a few bucks extra a month than get hit with a large bill

Me too. I have got my moneys worth out of it too.
Amy's car got hit by a rock a couple of weeks ago and cracked the windscreen. Her car has automatic windscreen wipers which has a different glass to the car without it, just the glass for her car was about 800 bucks apparently.

[Cuppa]

if you are going regional or further then its a good idea.... a basic screen will cost you 500 plus in the Pilbara and im sure other remote areas are the same price wise.

Crazy talk!

If you are going to drive around town for the next 10 years then fine, for Outback Travel your off you head mate!
No brainer I reckon for outback touring.

Call up say Oodnadatta or Birdsville or Broome and ask for a quote

Purely based on the price for a front screen in a cap city or major regional town does not a wise decision make...

Yep, OK, point made & taken. It’s what I thought to start with, but then I got sucked in by the city prices quoted. Like MR says, it’s really a no brainer.

Anyone who wants to try to change my mind again ............ you’re wasting your time!

Thanks folks
Although it’s looking unlikely that we’ll get away before early next year now, I reckon renewing with Club 4x4 is going to save me dollars, so I’ll include windscreen cover from the outset, & add the extra off road recovery option at the following renewal.