UK windscreen replacement advice please

[BahnStormer]

I've got a crack that has just started from the bottom corner, passenger side, but it looks like one that will run fast, so I think I need to get it replaced ASAP!

Any advice on how to get it done as cheaply as possible? SE England.

[Ardent]

Probably through insurance if included in your policy.

[Joesson]

As Ardent says. Windscreens have for some time been bonded to the body and I would think little to no chance of removing and refitting from a breaker.
My insurances cover  windscreen and other glass and although an excess is typical it should not affect your NCB.

[normanh]

I had one go a couple of years back, cost me £275 excess. Well bonded they dont come out. When mine was replaced two strips of tape were applied to the top edge onto the body frame to hold the replacement in place whilst the adhesive cured and the end result was when the tape was removed it took the lacquer off the paint!
They claimed no liability due to the age of the car!

Norman

[BahnStormer]

Nice nudge in the right direction there - yes - covered under Greenlight for £75 excess 

[BahnStormer]

cost me £275 excess.

Sounds pretty excessive to get gouged by that much AND they damaged the car!!!

Greenlight are £75 and they're sending somebody out in 3 days... they offered to do the windscreen wipers too, but I assumed that's an additional charge, so I declined. I'm guessing I can buy a new set of Bosch blades for less than they'd charge for that.
 

[cptspaulding]

Sounds pretty excessive to get gouged by that much AND they damaged the car!!!

Greenlight are £75 and they're sending somebody out in 3 days... they offered to do the windscreen wipers too, but I assumed that's an additional charge, so I declined. I'm guessing I can buy a new set of Bosch blades for less than they'd charge for that.
 

Exactly that. Autoglass were the same for me. Did I want Bronze, Silver or Gold service or sme such shenanigans. Silver added £30 is & they would replace windscreen wipers that I'd not long since done myself.#

My other question was, would it impact my NCB but Autoglasss had it in their FAQs that no, it wouldn't.

[Craigjm]

Yep just pay your glass excess and get it done. There is no cheaper option that won't work out more expensive in the end

[puma2]

  just to spare a thought on windscreen replacement .
yes go through insurance is probably the cheaper and easy  route thought it may  end up  on your insurance recorded for you to declare for the next how many years to come

i had a repair done free of charge through insurance  and later when the insurance was due  one company giving me a quite mentioned the date of said repair  and called iy a accident.
i then phone my car ins and they said it will effect your renewal .

had i no that a the time of repair i would paid  it myself.

i was in thinking a windscreen claim did nor effect your premium  how wrong was i  

[normanh]

Its not usual for a windscreen repair/replacement to affect the no claims or is it now days. I havent noticed that in my 50+ years of driving.

Norman

[Craigjm]

Every insurance policy I have ever had has had glass cover that does not impact on NCB or be recorded as an accident on the register when you just pay the excess. Puma2 must have been very unlucky and it must have been registered incorrectly on the insurance database.

[Joesson]

Since 1963 I can  recall at least 3 toughened windscreens breaking. The first on my car the others on  company cars. The latter two were replaced with laminated screens that do allow you to drive if they break. Near impossible with the old screens. There was a brief period when Zone Toughened Screens were in vogue that supposedly allowed some vision to allow you to "get home". The toughened screen generally held in place but broke into small " mosaic" pieces and did make an awful mess when removed.
I did have a , toughened, rear screen break, sounded like a gunshot from behind. It wasn't!
The first laminated screen I had, a replacement for a broken toughened screen, chipped before I had got into 5th gear, but it lasted until the car was changed.
That is the benefit of laminated screens. They can sometimes be repaired.
My daily, since 2011 had a chip, repaired that then broke during the repair!
So £75 or thereabouts excess for a screen, but I recall no increase in the following year's insurance. But, I do change insurers quite regularly. And certainly would if they penalised me for a broken or chipped screen.
Perspective, in 60+ years/ 1M + miles, 4 screens replaced.