Hi

i had a rock hit my windshield while driving on the highway causing an 8 inch crack on the driver’s side which I assume is not repairable.

My questions are:

1- I want to replace with OEM. Given the low volume of LXs are there aftermarket windshields that I need to be concerned about my insurance company specifying?

2- Aside from recalibrating the safety systems, is there anything I should be aware of to ensure that no leaks or wind noises are introduced during the replacement?

3- Opinions on whether my dealership or a glass shop would do a better job?

Thanks in advance.

 

You are welcome and please report back with what happens.

 

I replaced the windshield on my 2018 LX with rock hit damage about 2 yrs ago. I have OEM replacement part option on my insurance & they covered it full.
So, local Lexus dealer installed and recalibrated cameras and sensors.

 

Big rock chip in my 2016 LX 570 a year ago. Lexus only replacement windshield available in Southern California. $3500 at Lexus dealer. My insurance did cover it. Good luck.

 

I went through hell with this on my 2020. Geico did not want to use OEM and the FUAYO aftermarket one made my heads up display look terrible. Numbers were 1/2 the size and blurry. One year later they coughed up OEM replacement and all is well. If you have HUD do NOT allow them to install an aftermarket windhsield.

 

Most dealerships, Lexus included, do not have technicians in their service departments to do windshield replacements. The profits would not be great enough to keep trained technicians and stock all the glass and supplies..These glass jobs are farmed out frequently to the same installers who you can call and will come to your house. The only real advantage to using a dealership is that you will have someone to complain to if it isn't done to your satisfaction, and a service manager at the dealership hopefully will have checked and signed off on the subcontractors's job.

I have been been through this with Lexus and with BMW. You can ask for the original brand of glass, but the payment will depend on your own insurance coverage. Some policies will pay for OEM, others no, but in that case you are free to pay the difference yourself out-of-pocket. That is what I had to do with both. Labor would have been the same regardless, but the OEM glass itself was quite a bit more expensive.

 

Would you guys consider a rock/bug deflector for the hood of your car?

 

Correct answer. Glass installation is infrequent v. normal mechanical service...it takes a specialist.

I use a guy who works on $$$$ cars in the Boise area. As luck would have it, he's a mile away from me in the same area, and my insurance covers him with a $100 deductible on Lexus glass.

 

The deflector does a great job at minimizing bugs as well as dirt and rain from the guy in front of you. I'd recommend a Toyota version with Toyota installation.

 

So I contacted my insurance company (USAA) to make the claim.

They use SafeLite Solutions (SafeLite) to administer their glass claims. They told me that USAA will pay $700 for the replacement at SafeLite! I told them that I didn’t want to use SafeLite and I wanted an OEM windshield. I also told them that I had an estimate from my Lexus dealer for $2200.

They supposedly referred it back to USAA since they didn’t know how much they would authorize. After not hearing for a couple of days I got in touch the right department and emailed them my estimate when I was on the phone. They approved it and transferred the $ into my bank account while we were on the phone! It took 5 minutes, and there was no discussion about the estimate!

The $700 from SafeLite was a joke! They’re paying over $1000 just for the installation labor & recalibration. The actual OEM windshield was less than $800 (insurance discount from $1200).

It’s getting installed next week and since I’m a 23 year customer (4 LXs, ‘99, ‘04, ‘09, ‘18) I’m not expecting any issues - this is my first windshield though.

Thanks for the help and feedback.

 

Good that you got it worked out using the dealer. Safelite will replace the windshield & then tell you to go back to the dealer for ADAS calibration. Leaving the dealer in supplement purgatory to get paid for the calibration from the insurance company. The insurance will take weeks to months to pay the supplement to the dealer. Safelite can only calibrate the most basic of ADAS systems, regardless of the implications their ads try to convey on TV.
Safelite controls ALL of the automotive insurance glass claims. They administer the claims, set the fee schedule for replacement, control payment & do installations. Seems like a monopoly which I though is illegal.

My rant is over...

 

Our insurance comes from Farm Bureau since they cover farm and ranch claims and ag machinery as well as the normal house, barn, etc.

Safelite used to control glass claims like ****'s. Our first visit was for wife's 2001 LX. They told us they'd done Series 100's in the past.

I faxed the shop manual pages covering how to, new parts needed, nylon-coated aluminum rivets, windshield adhesive, etc. Their LX expert didn't bring a thing with him. He planned on using sheet metal screws v. Toyota's rivets and modified rivet tool. None of the other required parts either. I 86'd him after a 15 minute conversation.

I called a few high end dealers and found they used an experienced installer. My agent advised the Satellite guy to work with him. Installation was done on a sunny day outside with no issues.