I have Geico, I have a cracked windshield and I made a claim and chose Safelite to repair it. I'm sure there are a lot of red flag mistakes I'm making. I don't have a shop as I've not had many issues with my car or need for body work. I have a $1k deductible with Geico and so it goes. My appointment is for Thursday morning and now the questions.
Do I demand OEM?
Will it affect my satellite radio?
Anything else I'm forgetting?

 

I avoid Safelite like the plague. They caused substantial damage to my car upon a side window replacement and got very belligerent when I pointed it out to them.

It will not affect your satellite radio. Best to go OEM branded glass, especially if you have sensors like LKA, rain sensors, auto headlights, etc.

 

Demand OEM. See all the prior threads on this subject. If vehicle is leased, Lexus demands it. After market quality and calibration will affect a number of your vehicle options

 

I've had Safelite replace 2 or 3 windshields on other brands of cars with no issues at all from their service. NO leaks, damage to my vehicles, etc. Just had one replaced with auto sensing wipers about 3 weeks ago, works like it should. I would use them again if needed but on the Lexus, would have to ask more questions.

 

Demand OEM glass at a minimum, wherever you go. As one poster said some time ago, where do the windshields go that do not meet Lexus standards? =) I have a 2014 UL loaded and had to replace the glass. If you have the camera and stuff, it is imperative that you get good, clean, clear glass. I'm happy with my replacement, although it was done at Lexus. Overall it was about $1600 and my insurance paid $1200, IIRC.

 

As others said OEM will always be the way to go. One thing I want to mention is that if you have $1k deductible that is way more than what safelite charges to replace the windshield (They charge $500 it looks like). Looking on Lexus parts it shows the windshield to be $1k MSRP. So $1k for the part and figure $300 for the installation and programming, it would only make sense to pay a deductible for Lexus OEM Glass. Since you made a claim, tell them you want Lexus to install it and drop the car of at a dealer. One last thing when you ask for OEM glass mention WITH THE LEXUS LOGO. There is OE, OEM, and OEM with Logo. No matter what, do not settle for anything less than OEM glass With LEXUS Logo.

 

Find a local glass shop and let them handle it. It might be cheaper to pay them cash than deal with insurance via Safelite.
Safelite is the walmart of the industry and you are the whims of whoever happens to show up for the work order.
Even with a 1K deductible your glass replacement might be free or subject to a lower deduct.

Where are you in Cali? I know a great shop in San Diego. The guy has been in the business for years and has done a ton of work for me in the past.

 

 

Only get Lexus or Pilkington which makes the Lexus windshield.

 

Natonwide Insurance for one. The replacement I mentioned in an earlier post was for wife's 13 Ford Cmax (huge windshield btw), cost me just under $500 out of pocket, my insurance doesn't cover glass even tho I have a comp rider on my policy. I'll be looking for another insurer after the holidays. LOL.

 

This link shows they cover it, just like any other company: https://www.nationwide.com/comprehen...definition.jsp

My deductible with State Farm is $0. I don't believe they even offer a comprehensive policy over $500.

 

Well my deductible is $1k and I have comprehensive and it says it's covered, but again what is or isn't included like only branded OEM parts is up for debate. I'm loathe to do Safelite, and I'm trying to find out how soon I can get it done. Positive for Dealer, I can ask for a loaner, it's the MFR, Negative- waiting for an available appointment. I'm also in the East Bay so I'm using Coliseum Lexus. Most of my friends and family don't have much experience with replacing windshields, all have had many years in between chips or replacing a full windshield and of course nowadays cars have way more tech attached to it all.

 

I had a cracked windshield on my '17 ES350 in March. Called the insurance company (Kemper Preferred) and they approved OEM WS without asking a question. A week and $50 deductible later, the new WS was installed. Total cost $1,240 by Lizard Auto Glass Fremont. So far no leaks or wind noise whatever and we have had a few rain in the bay area already. And my car always parks outside.

 

I called Geico and Colliseum Lexus this morning. Geico won't cover a dealer doing the repair, in fact they would only pay $40 of the labor! Not pleased with that. Dealer quoted me $1500 just for the windshield and it had to be ordered. I'm still calling around local shops to see what they can do. Since I have a high deductible to keep my premiums low, I might as well not bother with a claim since it's all coming out of pocket. More research to do still.

 

Doesn't California have a law where you can choose any shop to repair your car? I would look into that. Also many dealership outsource all glass work to a 3rd party. Maybe you can ask and see if you can get the glass company name from the dealer. Another option may be a lexus approved body shop. The $1500 just for the windshield seems high, shop around some more.