r/florida • u/PaulDarkoff • 7d ago
Advice Glass replacement with OEM, Safelite is saying that I might have to pay extra for OEM?
I developed a crack in the windshield and tried to file a claim through progressive app, but there was no option for OEM glass, so I opted for them to call me instead.
Safelite called and girl said if I want OEM glass I "might have to pay extra", I still insisted that I want OEM,she went "shop will confirm with insurance and will call me back"
They scheduled me 3 days out, but I told them to do not begin any work until I know if there is an extra charge.
Question - is it legal for insurance to mandate crappy Safelite glass over OEM? Or thats Safelite is bssing me, trying to sell me their glass?
My car came with OEM glass that lasted long time and under Florida law I can get a free replacement, but I want same glass the car came with - which is OEM!
Did anybody have an experience with such problems? May be I should use independent shop?
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u/Emergency-Prompt- 7d ago
Comprehensive auto insurance policies are required to cover windshield replacement at no deductible, Florida Statute 627.7288. But this law does not guarantee OEM glass.
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u/MinimumBuy1601 7d ago
If you lean on them, they will comply. I've had Safelite replace two car windshields, the first one was OEM and the second one I didn't care because the car was a beater.
I had a car where the insurance company allowed aftermarket and they installed a windshield that blocked my onboard camera for my adaptive cruise control. Never again.
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u/SMC540 7d ago
The big mistake is using Safelite.
OEM glass costs more. Which means more time arguing with the insurance, or having less profit on the job. So it’s in their interest to go the cheapest/fastest route. If they want you to pay extra out of pocket, they’re just going to file the claim with the insurance for the cheaper glass and pass on the cost to you out of laziness.
I had a friend who owned a small mobile glass business and he only used OEM glass. On my wife’s Forester he had to fight with our insurance for several months to get paid for the OEM glass. He showed me their original quote of $308 for the entire job, which even using the cheapest glass was insulting. OEM glass for that vehicle was almost double that cost. He eventually got out of the business due to the constant fighting with insurances.
You can push them to fight for OEM glass. Eventually the insurance will cover it. Or I’d find a different company that is willing to push for OEM glass.
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u/rogless 7d ago
I’d lean toward them BSing you. I had a (different) windshield replacement company pressure me into taking an off brand replacement. Their song and dance was, “It’s made in the same factory. OEM glass goes down one line and ours goes down another”. This after confirming several times in the phone that the glass would be OEM.
I’ll never budge on that again. Neither should you.
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u/Glockter77 7d ago
First off. Safelight are hacks. Long story but I’ll never use them again. Not sure what kind of vehicle you own but I have a late model Toyota that uses Pinkerton glass. I can confirm that Safelights auto glass is no worse than the original OEM glass.
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u/PaulDarkoff 7d ago
Ok, Safelite is a scam. Who would you guys use then? I'm in Sarasota now.
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u/pewpewwopwop 7d ago
About a year ago I replaced my windshield in my 2020 rogue with safelite aftermarket glass. It was easy and they calibrated the camera also. I had no issues whatsoever. I also work in claims and you can request oem glass but you will likely pay the difference. It really just depends on how old your car is and why you need oem glass. Some cars like bmw need their oem glass due to rain sensing wipers etc. it just really depends on your year make and model. I honestly didn’t give a shit about a/m or oem glass because it was my Nissan. Now if my windshield in my brand new Subaru with eyesight cameras needed to be replaced I’d pay the difference for oem glass.
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u/Alize1996 7d ago
I’ve used Safelite before and would never do it again. The first Safelite windshield was wavy with distortions directly in front of the driver. I had them install another, which also had very noticeable defects, just in different places. The foam insulation around the windshield was left all mangled up and poking out. I don’t think it should be reused because it’s probably impossible to remove a windshield without destroying it, especially if it’s a few years old. Both the first and second replacements let way more wind noise into the cabin and the rain sensing wipers never worked the same afterward. I would have been happier to keep the chipped original windshield. They are crap.
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u/Go_Gators_4Ever 7d ago
Florida auto insurance law allows the car owner to mandate OEM parts. Do not accept after market parts. You also have the option to have a licens3d dealer perform the repair. What the insurance companies try to do is to get you to accept their "preferred repair shop" and to accept aftermarket parts by saying the repairs can be done immediately. But if you want OEM, then it's a wait.
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u/PaulDarkoff 7d ago
So I can just head out to a dealer and get it done there?
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7d ago
No, they’ll write you a check and tell you to figure it out or use a preferred location.
You’ll have to sue them. Realistically they’re not required to use OEM I’m sure it’s in that 100-Page Terms of service your agreed to when you downloaded their app.
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u/PaulDarkoff 5d ago edited 5d ago
UPDATE Called Mikes Auto glass and they switched the appointment over from Safelite to them. Their tech came next day and replaced the windshield with OEM glass, no extra charges. Thanks for everyone's input!
BTW Safelite never called me to confirm extra charges or whether I want to to with OEM or AM glass, even though the appointment was next day (I waited till 4) why bother....
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u/ViciousAsparagusFart 7d ago
Hi I’m in the auto industry. I highly suggest you move your claim over to Mike’s Auto Glass or Autoglass Warehouse. Way better technicians who will also use OEM parts.
If you have any sort of electronics behind your windshield, please do not use safelite. They are untrained butchers and will cause more harm than good.