My 2013 GS350 now has a crack so I notified St. Farm that I needed it replaced. To my surprise I was told that they use a 3rd. party company for all windshield claims. I then had to call a Co. called "Links" & was of course told that an aftermarket one would only be authorized. Having experienced a Pilkington brand in my RAV4 which always had pepper marks, I said No Way. After a week of fighting & having my St. Farm agent call this Links Co. & my threatening to change insurance carriers they reluctantly agreed. After doing research I learned that Pilkington is the largest auto windshield manufacturer but has 2 different production lines, one for for some car brands that are the OEM quality & the other strictly for aftermarket. The quality difference is a well kept secret.

 

Same exact situation happened to me with State Farm. They gave me the runaround for over a week after I refused to replace my cracked windshield with anything other than OEM glass. The agent kept insisting that Pilkington was "OEM Equivalent"... which I can assure you it's not. Just need to play hardball with these insurance agencies. Refuse any low-quality replacement, and insist on OEM.

 

I just had to have my windshield replaced in my Tundra. My insurance agent told me they always do OEM Branded glass for vehicles with windshield mounted sensors. I didn't even have to ask. I was relieved I didn't have to fight that battle with them.

 

OEM glass...and preferably installed by Lexus BodyWerks who only uses 100% Original Manufactured parts...

 

OEM glass...and preferably installed by Lexus BodyWerks who only uses 100% Original Manufactured parts...

 

You did the right thing. Insurance Co.'s will take your $$ but when it's time to make a claim it's all about saving $$.

 

My insurance company doesn't care about any of that. They always told me take it to wherever and get whatever glass u want and we'll send u a check minus the deductible. Always get OEM glass, that Lexus logo is very important!

Plus, the newer GS with those driving assistant need calibration with the new glass anyway, so just let the dealer handle all the work.

 

What insurance carrier do you have?

 

I have Wawanesa.

 

I wouldn't worry about it unless you have LKA or a HUD.
I do highway kms, I certainly wouldn't spend $1500 USD on an OEM windscreen (what they cost here) for it to get chipped the next week!

 

In my case it was only $500 out of pocket deductible. Invoice says $2600+ with calibration labor.

 

most of these newer and luxury model line vehicle have rain sensor, lane keep assist, heads up display, sun sensor either mounted/glued or manufactured as part of the glass. aftermarket front windshield makers do not have these components built to the glass so there may be issues after the aftermarket glass install. its good that you fought it and got the manufacturer glass. when i used to work at mercedes you don't realize how many idiot car owners would bring in their vehicles after front glass replacement and complain about something like the wipers don't automatically wipe no more.