Flatbed trucks on the motorway - windscreen menace

Avatar MIA

This morning, and the second time in a couple of weeks I got a bang on my windscreen following behind a flatbed truck. Unfortunately this time the windscreen cracked.

It was still dark on the M7 this morning, and I only noticed I was traveling behind a flat bed truck when the windscreen cracked. I'm guessing flat bed trucks may be more susceptible to loose material in their "trailers" which may fly back onto following traffic.

Secondly, the last time my windscreen cracked (also motorway driving) I went with Autoglass repair. Two things about this - it was a generic windscreen rather than OEM that they used. Maybe nothing too bad about that. But, they made a hash of replacing the gel that the auto wipers works from (this was all new to me at the time). In fairness to them they came out a few times and they significantly improved it, but it was never quite the same. The seal between the plastic surround and the windscreen was not as good pre repair either. A seal breaks apparently and is glued back.

So, long story short, I'm thinking of taking back to the main dealer to get sorted even if my insurance doesn't fully cover. Only changed to a different insurance company days ago, so they'll be happy with me.

Del2005

The dealer will just sent it to a windscreen company, or get one in.

Toyotafanboi

We fit our own windscreens. People will arrange for us to do it with their service etc through their windscreen cover. Most windscreen policies have a max amount they will pay out to a non approved windscreen repairer, this is usually €225 with most companies so you would have the excess between the main dealer price and €225.

I've worked for dealers before who will subcontract the actual fitting process but they will provide the genuine glass to the fitter. To be fair, even this will offer you more protection than Autoglass/ Mr. Windscreen etc because if you have a technical issue after the fact like your auto wipers trouble, it was the dealers job and they'll have to put it right and a dealers technician would be far better at that than a windscreen fitter who isn't even necessarily a mechanic.

Avatar MIA

€342 for windscreen and €220 to fit - Where's the throw up emoji ?

That's from a Main dealer, must check out the excess. Actually, that was probably before VAT.

theguzman

The exact same thing happened to me yesterday, I was on the dual-carriage way when it occurred also and it came from a flatbed also.

I got a quotation of €247 for a OEM Replacement windscreen for the glass only, however the fitting etc. is carried out separate at an extra unspecified cost. I am lucky in this situation as the haulier involved has agreed to pay it by putting it on his own insurance. However I'll be making sure that I get an OEM Glass as I have automatic wipers and lights etc controlled from the console inside the mirror.

Avatar MIA

theguzman wrote: »

The exact same thing happened to me yesterday, I was on the dual-carriage way when it occurred also and it came from a flatbed also.

I got a quotation of €247 for a OEM Replacement windscreen for the glass only, however the fitting etc. is carried out separate at an extra unspecified cost. I am lucky in this situation as the haulier involved has agreed to pay it by putting it on his own insurance. However I'll be making sure that I get an OEM Glass as I have automatic wipers and lights etc controlled from the console inside the mirror.

Yeah, never thought to get the drivers reg number. Feck! You live and learn.

monkeybutter

Hard to know what you could do there unless you had a dashcam showing it happening

Would their insurance even cover this?

Were you close to the truck at the time?

Avatar MIA

monkeybutter wrote: »

Were you close to the truck at the time?

Probably about the two second rule distance away.

Stallingrad

Was up and down the M50 the other day, in both directions lorries had dirt blowing out over the back, small chip on screen, bigger one on the bonnet. This despite giving them a wide berth than trying to pass quickly. Bastard building boom is back.

Carpentry

Avatar MIA wrote: »

This morning, and the second time in a couple of weeks I got a bang on my windscreen following behind a flatbed truck. Unfortunately this time the windscreen cracked.

It was still dark on the M7 this morning, and I only noticed I was traveling behind a flat bed truck when the windscreen cracked. I'm guessing flat bed trucks may be more susceptible to loose material in their "trailers" which may fly back onto following traffic.

Secondly, the last time my windscreen cracked (also motorway driving) I went with Autoglass repair. Two things about this - it was a generic windscreen rather than OEM that they used. Maybe nothing too bad about that. But, they made a hash of replacing the gel that the auto wipers works from (this was all new to me at the time). In fairness to them they came out a few times and they significantly improved it, but it was never quite the same. The seal between the plastic surround and the windscreen was not as good pre repair either. A seal breaks apparently and is glued back.

So, long story short, I'm thinking of taking back to the main dealer to get sorted even if my insurance doesn't fully cover. Only changed to a different insurance company days ago, so they'll be happy with me.

I was told by Autoglass man that if you asked over the phone that you are after OEM windscreen they can get it for you. As long as you are not driving brand new car though.

If you are not happy with fitting services dont sign the papers after the job is done, they will need to fix it until you are happy with it.

Carpentry

Where you not driving by a construction site recently that was not properly secured ? Just an idea... Their insurance would cover it.

Isambard

flatbed trucks don't have anything IN them to fall off, whatever they are carrying is ON the flatbed and should be properly secured. I'm thinking you mean a pick up truck.

Carpentry

Isambard wrote: »

flatbed trucks don't have anything IN them to fall off, whatever they are carrying is ON the flatbed and should be properly secured. I'm thinking you mean a pick up truck.

like it matters ....

Avatar MIA

Carpentry wrote: »

Where you not driving by a construction site recently that was not properly secured ? Just an idea... Their insurance would cover it.

:pac: Way too honest. I was once sideswiped by a Pajero. My car was written off and I didn't sue for personal injury. Some would say I'm a bit of an eejit

Avatar MIA

Isambard wrote: »

I'm thinking you mean a pick up truck.

Yip, good to know for the insurance claim

NBar

Your windscreen cover has to cover an OE replacement part and if they make a song and dance say you are not altering from original factory parts and this could affect warranty and any issues down the road. I have always got the manufactures windscreen and never had issues. Insurance companies are good at asking have you fitted any modifications or non original manufacture parts to your car so this is what you throw back at them

Voodoomelon

I had a claim in with RSA and requested OEM glass to be used by Autoglass. They needed written confirmation from RSA that they were allowed use it, RSA emailed them and said no problem. Took a few more days as it had to be ordered but worked out in the end.

NBar

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I had a claim in with RSA and requested OEM glass to be used by Autoglass. They needed written confirmation from RSA that they were allowed use it, RSA emailed them and said no problem. Took a few more days as it had to be ordered but worked out in the end.

I have got it done in the dealers that way any issues could be dealt with the techs of the dealers