ANOTHER windshield chip...advice please.

pmb600 · 08-24-2007, 12:30 AM

So I was driving to work today and a large dump truck was in the middle lane. I got in the left lane and started to pass the truck when a bunch of rocks flew out of the truck and hit my car. One of the bigger ones chipped my windshield in about 5 places right in my line of sight (of course).

I called the state police and gave the woman there the liscense plate of the truck, the name of the trucking company and my information. She was going to send a trooper out to do a report but said I could stop by within 5 days to get a report.

Question for you guys is, I know this is common, but since I know it was this truck if I file a report, what are my options after that. Do I call the trucking company and ask them to pay for a replacement without going to insurance, do I file a claim with insurance? I just wish this was anywhere else on the windshield because I would just repair it and be done with it. But the fact is with all these tiny chips in my line of sight your eye focuses on them as you are driving and that is not good.

Questions: What is my recourse? Will my insurance cover this at no cost? or do you think I'll have to pay deductible ($500). Will insurance companies let you go to an MB dealer? I know I can order one of the Mercedes "stickers" in the corner of the window but what about the inspection sticker in the other corner? Since my car is only two years old I have one that allows me not to go to inspection for 4 years (that is how it is in NJ now). Will I be able to get a replacement for this or will I have to get a new inspection sticker?

Thanks for the advice, I've never filed any claim so I'm really not sure what is the best way to handle all of this. I live in NJ by the way, in case that changes anything.

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rlee02135 · 08-24-2007, 01:02 AM

it depends on your policy, but insurance should cover it most of the time.

e1000 · 08-24-2007, 01:18 AM

unless you have full glass, why pay a $500 deductible for a replacement window that is about $500. They'll count it against you as a claim. I know it sucks but it happens.

pmb600 · 08-24-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e1000

unless you have full glass, why pay a $500 deductible for a replacement window that is about $500. They'll count it against you as a claim. I know it sucks but it happens.

I called the dealership and they said that a replacement is about $900ish total (parts and labor). You think it is that much lower?

e1000 · 08-24-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb600

I called the dealership and they said that a replacement is about $900ish total (parts and labor). You think it is that much lower?

yeah, i had mine replaced a couple months ago. Genuine MB replacement (PPG Solextra) w/ rain sensor was $500 installed by a glass company that specializes in MB's.

johnp · 08-24-2007, 09:41 AM

Same thing happened to me on the turnpike a couple years ago. Car was just a few months old. Didnt get the truck's plate. Paid for new glass out of my pocket. Was about 4-500. dealer wanted $1200

MJ50 · 08-24-2007, 10:12 AM

check out www.safelite.com

wingless · 08-24-2007, 10:21 AM

If the policy includes full glass, then wait for a very, very cold morning, with the car parked outside overnight, drive with the HVAC off until the vehicle is warm, then turn the defroster on full hot.

That will ensure the crack cannot be concealed by a dollar bill, which is the cutoff for crack repair.

The crack repair prevents the crack from progressing, but it will always be visible.

Shake · 08-24-2007, 10:49 AM

If you have any rock chips on the front on the bumper, I would tell insurance that the truck caused them too. Then maybe they will fix it or repaint it.

davidbho · 08-24-2007, 12:29 PM

and she continues to get rock hits on the car and windshield, just hasn't busted another windshield yet.

As for Insurance, Comprehensive loss, no fault, and your rates should not increase. Most insurance companies have windshield replacement services too...

Good luck!

pmb600 · 08-24-2007, 08:39 PM

Ok good news. I called our insurance company because we have never filed a claim in all the years I have been alive, so I figured f it. After I calmed down a bit, I realize we could just fix these chips and it will probably be fine. The insurance company was very nice, said it wouldn't raise rates (they also confirmed that rates will not increase even with an accident or violation). They gave me a list of glass places and then got one on the phone for me and the guy is coming to my house at no cost to me. I will let you guys know what happens.

benzoc230k · 08-26-2007, 08:25 AM

I could only trust the Dealership to replace my windshield. That way I know that I got an original one with the sig on the bottom. This also happened to me, who didn't this happen to.

pmb600 · 08-26-2007, 02:20 PM

Yeah I know this is the most common damage to a car. I am surprised that after all these years they haven't developed something to prevent this.

benzoc230k · 08-27-2007, 01:10 AM

Yeah like putting a clear bra over the windshield so that when rocks hit it they would just bounce off and get the car behind you, saving you 1k for a new windshield.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb600

Yeah I know this is the most common damage to a car. I am surprised that after all these years they haven't developed something to prevent this.

08-24-2007, 01:02 AM	#2
rlee02135 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 6,665 Drives: 2004 C32 ///AMG	it depends on your policy, but insurance should cover it most of the time. __________________ evosport•POWERCHIP•GREEN•TOYO•KW•STOPTECH•MAGNECOR DENSO Iridium•EUROteck•JL AUDIO•MP Design•HRE•LET Motorsports

08-24-2007, 01:18 AM	#3
e1000 Out Of Control!! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: OC Posts: 18,707 Drives: a quarter mile at a time	unless you have full glass, why pay a $500 deductible for a replacement window that is about $500. They'll count it against you as a claim. I know it sucks but it happens. __________________

08-24-2007, 10:12 AM	#7
MJ50 Moderator 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: S. Pasadena, CA Posts: 9,254 Drives: 203, 211 & 204	check out www.safelite.com __________________ 2003 C240 MBenzNL (PTS, IMS, euro COMAND, folding/convex mirrors, euro bi-xenons, SAM, MHI, euro trunklid, euro mat, steering wheel, etc...) 2004 E55 MBenzNL (057,219,390,428,500,527,615,682,816,881,882,884, CLS63 IC, AMG Airbag, iPod, Euro Door Pins/Convex Mirrors/Trunklid), SL65 rims, RENNtech pulley 2004 ML350 MBenzNL (rearview mirror, steering wheel, euro convex mirror) SOLD 2011 C300 55W HID, 5K LED Eyelids 323.205.MJ50 Google Voice

08-24-2007, 10:49 AM	#9
Shake MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mid-west Posts: 5,892 Drives: IS300	If you have any rock chips on the front on the bumper, I would tell insurance that the truck caused them too. Then maybe they will fix it or repaint it. __________________

08-24-2007, 12:29 PM	#10
davidbho Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: california Posts: 223 Drives: ML55, C32 (sold), R500, Ducati 749 (sold and bought kids), P-c4s	Dude, my wife busted 2 windshields in a period of 3 months and she continues to get rock hits on the car and windshield, just hasn't busted another windshield yet. As for Insurance, Comprehensive loss, no fault, and your rates should not increase. Most insurance companies have windshield replacement services too... Good luck!

08-24-2007, 09:41 AM	#6
johnp Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: little ferry nj Posts: 223 Drives: 08 Silver Lexus IS250 (manual),73 air cooled super beetle-- black 2004 230 ss is gone	Same thing happened to me on the turnpike a couple years ago. Car was just a few months old. Didnt get the truck's plate. Paid for new glass out of my pocket. Was about 4-500. dealer wanted $1200

08-24-2007, 10:21 AM	#8
wingless Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 911 Drives: Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe	If the policy includes full glass, then wait for a very, very cold morning, with the car parked outside overnight, drive with the HVAC off until the vehicle is warm, then turn the defroster on full hot. That will ensure the crack cannot be concealed by a dollar bill, which is the cutoff for crack repair. The crack repair prevents the crack from progressing, but it will always be visible.

08-24-2007, 08:39 PM	#11
pmb600 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,206 Drives: 2010 E550 Sedan	Ok good news. I called our insurance company because we have never filed a claim in all the years I have been alive, so I figured f it. After I calmed down a bit, I realize we could just fix these chips and it will probably be fine. The insurance company was very nice, said it wouldn't raise rates (they also confirmed that rates will not increase even with an accident or violation). They gave me a list of glass places and then got one on the phone for me and the guy is coming to my house at no cost to me. I will let you guys know what happens.

08-26-2007, 08:25 AM	#12
benzoc230k Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 84 Drives: 05 C230K SS	I could only trust the Dealership to replace my windshield. That way I know that I got an original one with the sig on the bottom. This also happened to me, who didn't this happen to. __________________ 05 C230K SS

08-26-2007, 02:20 PM	#13
pmb600 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,206 Drives: 2010 E550 Sedan	Yeah I know this is the most common damage to a car. I am surprised that after all these years they haven't developed something to prevent this.

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08-27-2007, 01:10 AM