Progressive declined my OEM windshield request.. Safelite good enough?

[nitro_rider2001]

Requested OEM glass for my front windshield from the insurance company and they denied it (thought this was in our rights but guess not).. RS7 with rain-sensors/HUD/ACC. Is it worth me paying the +$1200 difference to get the OEM glass or should I just stick it out with what they're (Progressive & Safelite) are offering to replace it with?

(Audi quoted ~$2900 for the windshield + calibration here at Audi Plano in TX)

What's everyone's thought here??

[gweaver001]

If they will guarantee in writing that the HUD/ACC will work as intended by Audi then I think it's worth getting the one they offer. You have nothing to lose with a written guarantee

[Audibot]

They denied me one for my C5; I wound up paying out of pocket.

[Burkeomatic]

I would say if you get some sort of written guarantee that it will work why not go for it. If it doesn't work, you have the guarantee to fall back on, and make them keep fixing it until it does.

I don't do safelight though, they literally charge triple what everyone else charges for the same crap. I use a little hood glass repair shop, got the A7 windshield and the CX9 windshield for 300 bucks a pop, the CX9 has all the gadgets and it works great. YMMV, I know audis can be persnickety on stuff like that, and all my car has is the rainsensor, so my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it....

[THCarpenter]

I fought my insurance USAA for this, and contested with the dealer doing the repairs.

They folded when I balked at them saying that they cant replace with OE glass. I said that it wasnt acceptable, and that without the proper OE spec that none of the sensors or calibrations will work correctly. I let my Dealership (Audi Virginia Beach) handle everything through them. Was some back and forth, but I got exactly what I wanted, and what I pay for

[WatchMeSpend]

If they will guarantee in writing that the HUD/ACC will work as intended by Audi then I think it's worth getting the one they offer. You have nothing to lose with a written guarantee

I second this. Not sure how it works in the USA but in Canada, when the insurance company is being a d!ck, you call the ombudsman for insurance companies. I've seen them back pedal hard after they received a call and say there was a computer glitch or some other excuse.

[A665]

I fought my insurance USAA for this, and contested with the dealer doing the repairs.

Remember when USAA was an absolute pleasure to work with? I've been with them over 30 years. Things have definitely changed over time.

[Audisthesia]

Crazy, I had my windshield replaced in June of this year, car insurance of course wanted me to use Safelite, I refused. I emailed them the estimate for the OEM glass at my shop of choice, I had the money via direct deposit that evening, and the appt was 2 weeks out. Perhaps it’s something to do with FL laws regarding windshields, or maybe my insurance carrier… I dunno. It took a few minutes of refusing on the phone to USAA, but that was it. I had the money within hours.

To the OP: 2900 is high, too high. I could show you my dealer invoice. Ask the dealer if they will price match the part. My local dealer will. That saved me 400 on the windshield, so I had money leftover to have the windshield tinted.

[Alabama]

RS7 with rain-sensors/HUD/ACC. Is it worth me paying the +$1200 difference to get the OEM glass or should I just stick it out with what they're (Progressive & Safelite) are offering to replace it with?

Check AZ thread "Windshield replacement question.", post #10. A vehicle with HUD mandates OEM glass.

[jeff351]

I have Farmer's with the glass deductible buy back and when I had my windshield replaced safelite was going to going to use aftermarket glass but they were having issues with the prescan and told me to take it to audi but due to issues they thought it best to request oe glass, when i went back a week later they put in audi glass and calibrated... fast forward a week later and a damn lifted ram threw a rock into the center of the glass

[Gravy Train]

I still don't trust Safelite-- not only with the sensors but the retaining clips and window trim moldings, often best used once and replaced for new with any windshield.

I'm also in Plano, so noting your location is interesting to me, as I'm bound to be due a new windshield with all the trucks running around in this area. If Audi Plano hasn't contracted that out to their bodyshop (AutoNation Collision Center Plano, formerly Trade Secret Auto), I'd head over to AutoNation Collision and have them write up the estimate with Progressive.

This also is steering me from ever considering Progressive as a carrier, as I also thought we have the right to request OEM glass.

[Burkeomatic]

Remember when USAA was an absolute pleasure to work with? I've been with them over 30 years. Things have definitely changed over time.

They're still better than most, cheaper than everyone else too, for me at least. But they shill for safelight quite a bit. I was going to have to pay a 250 deductible for a non oe window for my truck through them, when I found a glass shop that would do it for $100.

[Glicious]

Remember when USAA was an absolute pleasure to work with? I've been with them over 30 years. Things have definitely changed over time.

Not like they used to be.

[THCarpenter]

when my car was vandalized, which is why I had to get the windshield replaced, once I was able to get them to understand that I paid them stupid amounts of money to fix my car, and it was going to be to OE standards at my Audi Dealer. It took lots of back and forth. But they are a service provider, and I consistently reminded them that I was not satisfied with the level of service they were providing me.

I had a mobile rep come out and look over the car, because the uploaded photos from my phone did not confirm all the damages (Windshield, Drivers Headlight, Drivers Window, Passenger Window, Passenger Rear Window, Passenger Rear Sun Screen, Passenger Rear Door Card)

And the local safelite said they could do the calibrations, but would need over 2 weeks with the car (HUD, Drivers Assistance/ACC). I laughed, and got my Dealer involved, they contacted my online rep, and thats what got my ball rolling.

[MattyMarkey]

Most cars with technology packages like yours will not fair well with aftermarket windshields - there is a difference in quality and material make-up that enable the new tech. Buddies BMW X5 is still having issues after having to go with Safelite.

[GasMan]

Even if you get a guarantee in writing, if you need it fixed again, that's more time down time, more potential for something else to get broken, etc. I would just pay to have it done right the first time with the dealership using OE glass.

I've paid for 2 windshields on my car unfortunately. First time was out of pocket, $2200 + ~$600 for calibrations. Your quote isn't far off. Second time was only 12 months later and I didn't feel like forking out more of my own money so I involved insurance; they threatened rates going up, but we just went through a renewal and rates only went up $120 for the year, which just seems like a market adjustment anyways!

Pay the difference and just be happy you're getting it done the proper way. You can also look at windshield protective film; I didn't even know it existed until recently but it's supposed to have some pretty excellent rock chip protective properties. It's not going to keep a boulder from giving you a blown out windshield but better than nothing.

[sepheroth86]

I had my windshield replaced early this year.

Ended up having a film put on it. Literally the next freaking day I was on a trip traveling through Chicago and had a semi throw a rock. Bounced off the hood (took off some clearcoat) and hit the windshield. Still good. 👍

[AudiC7Owners]

I have a video about this on the channel, but my insurance tried to deny me as well. I had the shop that was replacing it explain to them that it was REQUIRED for the the car to be fitted with OEM glass or the systems wouldn't function properly (along with a full re-calibration of the system and a replacement of the camera behind the rear view mirror). It took a few days of going back and forth but they eventually caved.

[Audisthesia]

I had my windshield replaced early this year.

Ended up having a film put on it. Literally the next freaking day I was on a trip traveling through Chicago and had a semi throw a rock. Bounced off the hood (took off some clearcoat) and hit the windshield. Still good. 👍

That's karma for talking about all my windshield hits

[sepheroth86]

That's karma for talking about all my windshield hits

The film kept my glass in pristine condition. 😉