Windshield replacement, Geico and Safelite Experience
02-04-21, 03:20 PM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
And then there's the whole OEM from a manufacturer who makes OEM glass for Lexus, vs a true OEM glass, which has the Lexus logo on it. After much research, I recommend owners insist on OEM glass with the Lexus logo on it. While glass companies and insurance companies claim OEM glass without the Lexus logo on it is the same, it is not! Insurance wants to steer owners away from true OEM as there's a huge difference in cost and while some of it can be attributed to dealer mark-up, not all of it.
Bottom line: the Lexus logo ensures the glass is commensurate with what was installed by the factory.
Bottom line: the Lexus logo ensures the glass is commensurate with what was installed by the factory.
The following users liked this post:
lccgl479 (12-20-22)
02-05-21, 07:31 AM
#18
State farm
I have StateFarm and got pebbled and they replaced mine with OEM, but it has wrinkles. It is OEM so you never know what you’ll get with replacements aftermarket or OEM. I’m not worried about it since it’s going to get chipped again. I did wrap my hood and bumper with PPF though this time 😎
02-05-21, 07:38 AM
#19
Pole Position
Is there a Lexus logo on the replacement? It is hard, but not impossible, to believe a true-OEM windshield has wrinkles. If there is no Lexus logo on it, you got a pseudo-OEM replacement.
02-05-21, 08:27 AM
#20
Pole Position
Believe it! My ES came with a wrinkle right in the line of sight when we purchased it new. While it is always possible it was damaged and replaced before I took possession, it does have the Lexus logo on it. The wrinkle is minor enough that I have learned to live with it, but it is certainly noticeable. So I can confirm, this is about as "OEM" as it gets and it has a wrinkle.
02-05-21, 08:31 AM
#21
03-03-21, 04:46 PM
#22
Instructor
Hi all.
Long time clublexus reader, first time poster.
I have a Lexus ES 2019 300h which has been my baby for the last 18 months.
One morning woke up and found a large crack on top edge of the windshield that sprouted overnight from a pea-sized chip that I had never noticed.
I live in Cali and have GEICO insurance and they wouldn't cover OEM. Even though I have a 1000$ deductible, and the OEM costs 1000$ GEICO would have only had to pay the 437$ installation costs, but they refused and said they'll only cover OEM if aftermarket/OEE is not available. And they're contracted with Safelite and despite all the "you can repair the glass wherever you want" disclaimers they informed me they won't cover anything that costs more than Safelite's rates.
They were so fast to set my appointment up with Safelite, and found an aftermarket Fuyao windshield that met the specs and only cost 377$.
Total bill came out to 790$ (so all out of pocket, less than my 1k deductible).
I did my research, and from what I found reading online about non-OEM (and especially FY glass) is that 20% of the time customers are happy and can't tell the difference, but 80% of the time something is off (distortion, sensor, curvature, fitting, leaking, etc... with some of these problems clearly being dependent on how good a job the glass replacers do).
I tried to be optimistic. Didn't rush it, this wasn't a mobile/van job. Dropped my car off 9:30AM at a Safelite close to me with great customer reviews (and indeed they seemed to be a very capable team, they said they often go to the Lexus dealership and do the work for them there). They told me it would be ready around 1pm but it wasn't ready till 2:30pm (but i didn't make much of it, was busy that day anyway).
On first glance I was surprised at how similar the glass looked. The tint and the sensors and everything pretty much looked like it would be the same.
It was new glass, gave the car a fresh feel, but it didn't take long for me to realize the nightmare (for me) is real.
I have a dark gray\near black dashboard, and my new FY glass would reflect my dark dashboard onto the windshield from inside, even when it's not too bright outside.
Sunlight and car headlights from opposite lanes look amplified with a star effect (don't know if that's called glare or distortion or whatever you want to call it, that's not what things looked like).
But the biggest problem is the rain sensors. Even with a light rain on automatic setting with highest sensitivity my sensors were struggling to pick up when to wipe, enough that I can't use the feature and drive safely in light rain.
Did tests with my windshield's water sprayer too, usually a quick tap that sprays the windshield automatically gets detected and wiped, but now it only picks up about 20% of the time if i single tap (even multiple times, to the point the whole windshield is water and it still doesn't trigger). Only if I do a long spray do the wipers trigger automatically.
I called safelite about it today. This should be covered under warranty, it's likely they're gonna try to fit my car with another aftermarket windshield. Wish me luck man.
I told both safelite and Geico from the very beginning "like means like". I don't care for the logo, but I pay attention to details and I paid a lot of money for my car (it's ultra luxury with all the options) and I will not compromise my driving experience, which they promised-actually they GUARANTEED- it won't.
This FY windshield might have the same markings and look the same and even fit fairly well (I tested it for leaks), but it is not "like" the original windshield in quality or function.
I know my contract rights, and Safelite and GEICO both *GUARANTEED* me even if the windshield doesn't have the logo it should be *THE SAME* in quality. And I will get what they promised me no matter how many aftermarket windshields they have to try on.
TL;DR: You can get FY glass on your Lexus if you don't care about the difference (interior reflection, light glare, less sensitive rain sensor). But there definitely is a difference, and if you do care (like me), please reference your insurance provider and glass company to this post to spare them the trouble of multiple windshield replacements.
I will update once they replace my windshield again, with whatever they end up choosing.
Long time clublexus reader, first time poster.
I have a Lexus ES 2019 300h which has been my baby for the last 18 months.
One morning woke up and found a large crack on top edge of the windshield that sprouted overnight from a pea-sized chip that I had never noticed.
I live in Cali and have GEICO insurance and they wouldn't cover OEM. Even though I have a 1000$ deductible, and the OEM costs 1000$ GEICO would have only had to pay the 437$ installation costs, but they refused and said they'll only cover OEM if aftermarket/OEE is not available. And they're contracted with Safelite and despite all the "you can repair the glass wherever you want" disclaimers they informed me they won't cover anything that costs more than Safelite's rates.
They were so fast to set my appointment up with Safelite, and found an aftermarket Fuyao windshield that met the specs and only cost 377$.
Total bill came out to 790$ (so all out of pocket, less than my 1k deductible).
I did my research, and from what I found reading online about non-OEM (and especially FY glass) is that 20% of the time customers are happy and can't tell the difference, but 80% of the time something is off (distortion, sensor, curvature, fitting, leaking, etc... with some of these problems clearly being dependent on how good a job the glass replacers do).
I tried to be optimistic. Didn't rush it, this wasn't a mobile/van job. Dropped my car off 9:30AM at a Safelite close to me with great customer reviews (and indeed they seemed to be a very capable team, they said they often go to the Lexus dealership and do the work for them there). They told me it would be ready around 1pm but it wasn't ready till 2:30pm (but i didn't make much of it, was busy that day anyway).
On first glance I was surprised at how similar the glass looked. The tint and the sensors and everything pretty much looked like it would be the same.
It was new glass, gave the car a fresh feel, but it didn't take long for me to realize the nightmare (for me) is real.
I have a dark gray\near black dashboard, and my new FY glass would reflect my dark dashboard onto the windshield from inside, even when it's not too bright outside.
Sunlight and car headlights from opposite lanes look amplified with a star effect (don't know if that's called glare or distortion or whatever you want to call it, that's not what things looked like).
But the biggest problem is the rain sensors. Even with a light rain on automatic setting with highest sensitivity my sensors were struggling to pick up when to wipe, enough that I can't use the feature and drive safely in light rain.
Did tests with my windshield's water sprayer too, usually a quick tap that sprays the windshield automatically gets detected and wiped, but now it only picks up about 20% of the time if i single tap (even multiple times, to the point the whole windshield is water and it still doesn't trigger). Only if I do a long spray do the wipers trigger automatically.
I called safelite about it today. This should be covered under warranty, it's likely they're gonna try to fit my car with another aftermarket windshield. Wish me luck man.
I told both safelite and Geico from the very beginning "like means like". I don't care for the logo, but I pay attention to details and I paid a lot of money for my car (it's ultra luxury with all the options) and I will not compromise my driving experience, which they promised-actually they GUARANTEED- it won't.
This FY windshield might have the same markings and look the same and even fit fairly well (I tested it for leaks), but it is not "like" the original windshield in quality or function.
I know my contract rights, and Safelite and GEICO both *GUARANTEED* me even if the windshield doesn't have the logo it should be *THE SAME* in quality. And I will get what they promised me no matter how many aftermarket windshields they have to try on.
TL;DR: You can get FY glass on your Lexus if you don't care about the difference (interior reflection, light glare, less sensitive rain sensor). But there definitely is a difference, and if you do care (like me), please reference your insurance provider and glass company to this post to spare them the trouble of multiple windshield replacements.
I will update once they replace my windshield again, with whatever they end up choosing.
My last windshield on a 2016 ES required the car sensors be recalibrated after replacement. I don't believe they can prevent you or restrict you in using OEM (at least not in the North East)
Check with your State Insurance Dept
04-06-21, 07:31 AM
#23
Hi all.
Long time clublexus reader, first time poster.
I have a Lexus ES 2019 300h which has been my baby for the last 18 months.
One morning woke up and found a large crack on top edge of the windshield that sprouted overnight from a pea-sized chip that I had never noticed.
I live in Cali and have GEICO insurance and they wouldn't cover OEM. Even though I have a 1000$ deductible, and the OEM costs 1000$ GEICO would have only had to pay the 437$ installation costs, but they refused and said they'll only cover OEM if aftermarket/OEE is not available. And they're contracted with Safelite and despite all the "you can repair the glass wherever you want" disclaimers they informed me they won't cover anything that costs more than Safelite's rates.
They were so fast to set my appointment up with Safelite, and found an aftermarket Fuyao windshield that met the specs and only cost 377$.
Total bill came out to 790$ (so all out of pocket, less than my 1k deductible).
I did my research, and from what I found reading online about non-OEM (and especially FY glass) is that 20% of the time customers are happy and can't tell the difference, but 80% of the time something is off (distortion, sensor, curvature, fitting, leaking, etc... with some of these problems clearly being dependent on how good a job the glass replacers do).
I tried to be optimistic. Didn't rush it, this wasn't a mobile/van job. Dropped my car off 9:30AM at a Safelite close to me with great customer reviews (and indeed they seemed to be a very capable team, they said they often go to the Lexus dealership and do the work for them there). They told me it would be ready around 1pm but it wasn't ready till 2:30pm (but i didn't make much of it, was busy that day anyway).
On first glance I was surprised at how similar the glass looked. The tint and the sensors and everything pretty much looked like it would be the same.
It was new glass, gave the car a fresh feel, but it didn't take long for me to realize the nightmare (for me) is real.
I have a dark gray\near black dashboard, and my new FY glass would reflect my dark dashboard onto the windshield from inside, even when it's not too bright outside.
Sunlight and car headlights from opposite lanes look amplified with a star effect (don't know if that's called glare or distortion or whatever you want to call it, that's not what things looked like).
But the biggest problem is the rain sensors. Even with a light rain on automatic setting with highest sensitivity my sensors were struggling to pick up when to wipe, enough that I can't use the feature and drive safely in light rain.
Did tests with my windshield's water sprayer too, usually a quick tap that sprays the windshield automatically gets detected and wiped, but now it only picks up about 20% of the time if i single tap (even multiple times, to the point the whole windshield is water and it still doesn't trigger). Only if I do a long spray do the wipers trigger automatically.
I called safelite about it today. This should be covered under warranty, it's likely they're gonna try to fit my car with another aftermarket windshield. Wish me luck man.
I told both safelite and Geico from the very beginning "like means like". I don't care for the logo, but I pay attention to details and I paid a lot of money for my car (it's ultra luxury with all the options) and I will not compromise my driving experience, which they promised-actually they GUARANTEED- it won't.
This FY windshield might have the same markings and look the same and even fit fairly well (I tested it for leaks), but it is not "like" the original windshield in quality or function.
I know my contract rights, and Safelite and GEICO both *GUARANTEED* me even if the windshield doesn't have the logo it should be *THE SAME* in quality. And I will get what they promised me no matter how many aftermarket windshields they have to try on.
TL;DR: You can get FY glass on your Lexus if you don't care about the difference (interior reflection, light glare, less sensitive rain sensor). But there definitely is a difference, and if you do care (like me), please reference your insurance provider and glass company to this post to spare them the trouble of multiple windshield replacements.
I will update once they replace my windshield again, with whatever they end up choosing.
Long time clublexus reader, first time poster.
I have a Lexus ES 2019 300h which has been my baby for the last 18 months.
One morning woke up and found a large crack on top edge of the windshield that sprouted overnight from a pea-sized chip that I had never noticed.
I live in Cali and have GEICO insurance and they wouldn't cover OEM. Even though I have a 1000$ deductible, and the OEM costs 1000$ GEICO would have only had to pay the 437$ installation costs, but they refused and said they'll only cover OEM if aftermarket/OEE is not available. And they're contracted with Safelite and despite all the "you can repair the glass wherever you want" disclaimers they informed me they won't cover anything that costs more than Safelite's rates.
They were so fast to set my appointment up with Safelite, and found an aftermarket Fuyao windshield that met the specs and only cost 377$.
Total bill came out to 790$ (so all out of pocket, less than my 1k deductible).
I did my research, and from what I found reading online about non-OEM (and especially FY glass) is that 20% of the time customers are happy and can't tell the difference, but 80% of the time something is off (distortion, sensor, curvature, fitting, leaking, etc... with some of these problems clearly being dependent on how good a job the glass replacers do).
I tried to be optimistic. Didn't rush it, this wasn't a mobile/van job. Dropped my car off 9:30AM at a Safelite close to me with great customer reviews (and indeed they seemed to be a very capable team, they said they often go to the Lexus dealership and do the work for them there). They told me it would be ready around 1pm but it wasn't ready till 2:30pm (but i didn't make much of it, was busy that day anyway).
On first glance I was surprised at how similar the glass looked. The tint and the sensors and everything pretty much looked like it would be the same.
It was new glass, gave the car a fresh feel, but it didn't take long for me to realize the nightmare (for me) is real.
I have a dark gray\near black dashboard, and my new FY glass would reflect my dark dashboard onto the windshield from inside, even when it's not too bright outside.
Sunlight and car headlights from opposite lanes look amplified with a star effect (don't know if that's called glare or distortion or whatever you want to call it, that's not what things looked like).
But the biggest problem is the rain sensors. Even with a light rain on automatic setting with highest sensitivity my sensors were struggling to pick up when to wipe, enough that I can't use the feature and drive safely in light rain.
Did tests with my windshield's water sprayer too, usually a quick tap that sprays the windshield automatically gets detected and wiped, but now it only picks up about 20% of the time if i single tap (even multiple times, to the point the whole windshield is water and it still doesn't trigger). Only if I do a long spray do the wipers trigger automatically.
I called safelite about it today. This should be covered under warranty, it's likely they're gonna try to fit my car with another aftermarket windshield. Wish me luck man.
I told both safelite and Geico from the very beginning "like means like". I don't care for the logo, but I pay attention to details and I paid a lot of money for my car (it's ultra luxury with all the options) and I will not compromise my driving experience, which they promised-actually they GUARANTEED- it won't.
This FY windshield might have the same markings and look the same and even fit fairly well (I tested it for leaks), but it is not "like" the original windshield in quality or function.
I know my contract rights, and Safelite and GEICO both *GUARANTEED* me even if the windshield doesn't have the logo it should be *THE SAME* in quality. And I will get what they promised me no matter how many aftermarket windshields they have to try on.
TL;DR: You can get FY glass on your Lexus if you don't care about the difference (interior reflection, light glare, less sensitive rain sensor). But there definitely is a difference, and if you do care (like me), please reference your insurance provider and glass company to this post to spare them the trouble of multiple windshield replacements.
I will update once they replace my windshield again, with whatever they end up choosing.
I have Geico with no deductible glass. My windshield was cracked 10 months ago, and again last month. First time it was replaced by dealer for $1200. The second time it was $1600, and that included a molding replacement ($100) and camera and sensor calibration ($300). Initially, when I first call Geico, they offered me Safelite Autoglass with a lifetime guarantee, or a repair shop of my choice with a reimbursement of $1200 with a labor rate not above $40 per hours. When I called the dealership, they immediately offer me the exact same price for OEM Lexus parts. I have a feeling that the dealer is aware Geico reimburses amount. For the second replacement, when I dealer calls me about an additional $400 for replacing molding and calibration, I was worry that Geico may not reimburse the full amount. A few days later, Geico sends me the full $1600 reimburstment. I spoke to the dealer rep about the repair, they provided all the OEM parts, and use an outside glass specialist to replace the windshield. The calibration was done by their tech.
I'm with Geico for almost 20 years. Overall, I was pretty happy with the result.
04-06-21, 07:49 AM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Good to hear Geico served you well.
04-06-21, 08:29 AM
#25
I had Geico years back and they replaced a windshield on my GS350 with OEM which was done at the dealership only after I fought with them a bit. Currently, I have State Farm for my ES350 since I bundle with my homeowner's insurance. Hopefully, I won't have to find out how they are with windshield replacements. Been lucky for the last 5 years (knocking on wood). I would never use an aftermarket windshield on my car. They are simply not made to the same standards. Especially the ones Safelite and other glass chain companies use.
Equally important as the windshield itself is the installation quality. As we all know, the windshield serves as part on the structural integrity of the vehicle. So if installed improperly, the windshield can easily fall out during a collision. So with that in mind, we all want OEM and we go to the dealership to get that but keep in mind that Lexus dealerships are not windshield shops. Make sure you find out who they sub-contract for the install.
If I ever needed a windshield replaced, I might be inclined to find a reputable glass shop that is not a chain and have them order an OEM windshield.
Equally important as the windshield itself is the installation quality. As we all know, the windshield serves as part on the structural integrity of the vehicle. So if installed improperly, the windshield can easily fall out during a collision. So with that in mind, we all want OEM and we go to the dealership to get that but keep in mind that Lexus dealerships are not windshield shops. Make sure you find out who they sub-contract for the install.
If I ever needed a windshield replaced, I might be inclined to find a reputable glass shop that is not a chain and have them order an OEM windshield.
04-06-21, 08:46 AM
#26
I had a pilkington windshield installed in my 2014 ES350, I searched this topic on CL, found many who recommended it. I had a competent local glass installer order the pilkington glass and install it. They are supposedly an OEM manufacturer for Lexus. My original windshield was a Lexus OEM lamisafe, I don’t have lane departure or radar cruise. This was gut wrenching for me because I only had the car a week when I got hit by a stone on I4, lots of construction. The new glass seems very good, it has the acoustic shield, rain sensor for my wipers, I can say all is well with it.
Frank
Frank
04-06-21, 10:00 AM
#27
Instructor
Sorry to hear about your grief.
I didn't think that insurers could limit you to aftermarket glass. I've never had an issue with OEM. Maybe things are different in CA.
MORE IMPORTANTLY - did they recalibrate your cameras/computer? Lexus requires this after a windshiel.d replacement
I didn't think that insurers could limit you to aftermarket glass. I've never had an issue with OEM. Maybe things are different in CA.
MORE IMPORTANTLY - did they recalibrate your cameras/computer? Lexus requires this after a windshiel.d replacement
04-06-21, 10:29 AM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Sorry to hear about your grief.
I didn't think that insurers could limit you to aftermarket glass. I've never had an issue with OEM. Maybe things are different in CA.
MORE IMPORTANTLY - did they recalibrate your cameras/computer? Lexus requires this after a windshiel.d replacement
I didn't think that insurers could limit you to aftermarket glass. I've never had an issue with OEM. Maybe things are different in CA.
MORE IMPORTANTLY - did they recalibrate your cameras/computer? Lexus requires this after a windshiel.d replacement
04-07-21, 06:01 AM
#29
I've had Geico for 20+ years and have had to replace a windshield a few times. I had a Mercedes that had a camera safety system and Safelite did the repair with OEM Glass. My Lexus didn't have this issue and Safelite did the repair with non-OEM glass (didn't have any issue).
I did have a problem with the Non-OEM Glass when the Autovin morons came to do a lease return inspection. The inspector wrote "poor quality windshield" on his report just because it wasn't OEM. Lexus confirmed that I didn't have to put OEM, but it was a bit of a nightmare to finally get the charge removed since the Autovin guy didn't write poor quality instead of Non-OEM. This is really an autovin problem though
I did have a problem with the Non-OEM Glass when the Autovin morons came to do a lease return inspection. The inspector wrote "poor quality windshield" on his report just because it wasn't OEM. Lexus confirmed that I didn't have to put OEM, but it was a bit of a nightmare to finally get the charge removed since the Autovin guy didn't write poor quality instead of Non-OEM. This is really an autovin problem though
04-07-21, 07:43 AM
#30
Lexus Test Driver
I've had Geico for 20+ years and have had to replace a windshield a few times. I had a Mercedes that had a camera safety system and Safelite did the repair with OEM Glass. My Lexus didn't have this issue and Safelite did the repair with non-OEM glass (didn't have any issue).
I did have a problem with the Non-OEM Glass when the Autovin morons came to do a lease return inspection. The inspector wrote "poor quality windshield" on his report just because it wasn't OEM. Lexus confirmed that I didn't have to put OEM, but it was a bit of a nightmare to finally get the charge removed since the Autovin guy didn't write poor quality instead of Non-OEM. This is really an autovin problem though
I did have a problem with the Non-OEM Glass when the Autovin morons came to do a lease return inspection. The inspector wrote "poor quality windshield" on his report just because it wasn't OEM. Lexus confirmed that I didn't have to put OEM, but it was a bit of a nightmare to finally get the charge removed since the Autovin guy didn't write poor quality instead of Non-OEM. This is really an autovin problem though
