355 windshield replacement - $3,200!

Just thought I'd post this as an FYI. I am having my windshield replaced by Ferrari of Dallas. Glass is $1,831, surrounding frame $775, labor is $295. The balance is sales tax. Pretty absurd, huh? It's funny to think that 3%-4% of my cars current value is in the windshield.

Thankfully this is why we have insurance.

 

In the US, the windshield deductible varies by state. In some its a fixed $50 fee, in others its part of the comprehensive coverage. Its the latter for me, so I am paying $250.

You're right, I am paying for it one way or another via my annual premiums.

 

Hard to say for sure what happened, but it probably started with an impact of some sort at least a year ago. The initial crack began in the tinted windshield strip where the rear view mirror is. Between the tint and the mirror hiding the crack, I'm not sure I spotted it right away. Over time it continued to grow due to vibration and the Texas heat. With the heat wave we had in recent weeks, the crack grew very quickly over the last few weeks and finally prompted me to get the situation fixed.

Cracked windshields are VERY common in this area which is why its part of the comprehensive part of the coverage. I forgot Florida was zero cost, that's a sweet deal! Some lobbyist must have made a safety arguement to ensure people don't drive around with cracked windshields.

 

I saw that thread earlier and have to think that the replacement cost on an F1 pump has to be one of the single biggest crimes in replacement part history. If that cost doesn't come down you won't be able to give away an F1 style car 20 years from now. What will it be then, 50% of the cars value?

Plus you can't claim it on your insurance policy!

 

Too soon to tell, but I think I'll be fine. It's with State Farm and I have 5 cars with them, 2 houses, and a few miscellaneous policies. I've been with them since I have had my driver's license and have an excellent history (one hail damage claim for about $3K). If they mess with my rates they will be very unhappy when I pull everything from them.

Initially I had a problem filing the claim since they use a 3rd party provider for glass. They wouldn't gaurantee they would pay the full bill even with a written estimate and Ferrari of Dallas refused to work with them. I called my agent and they by-passed the normal procedure, handling the claim as though it was not glass. Service was excellent from that point on.