A bit long winded I know, but my wife bought a new 2014 Countryman S last year. At the time I bought the added on windshield warranty. Okay, all set!

So a couple of weeks ago I notice a crack appear, which was about 6 inches long. Great. I'd forgotten about the warranty I'd paid for, and was procrastinating about buying new glass. So now, the crack has grown to about 2-3 feet long across the windshield. Okay time to do something, and bingo, I remember the warranty. So I call the warranty company. They seem pleasant and then he asks me if I can see where the crack started, and whether there's a point of impact. Hmmm. Well the crack appears to have started along the bottom edge of the windshield, and I can't see a point of impact. Mind you, I don't have a magnifying glass, neither. So he says he'll set up for an inspection. I said why not replace it, it's broken, I paid for warranty, so fix it. He said if there's a stone chip, they'll replace it. If there's no evidence of impact, then it must be a stress fracture and not covered by their warranty.

So here's the big question; if they won't replace it under their (lack of) warranty, will the dealer? I'm tired of fighting my dealer (Mini of the Woodlands in TX).

Or should I grab the nail punch out of my tool chest?

Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

A hammer and a nail should resolve that issue in about ten seconds. After all, you did pay for the coverage.

 

Hahaha, it's certainly the path of least resistance! Thank you.

 

Did the crack started from the edge of the windshield? If it did, its a stress crack and cover under factory warranty. Next time, buy windshield coverage in your auto insurance policy instead.

 

They will run a ballpoint Pen along the crack...claim no diviot,star or impact...send you to the dealer...dealer will do the reverse...will be a runaround..maybe not, but if I was a betting man...
100% to get coverage from you car insurance next time...you have a little bit of leverage there...

 

Agreed about the auto insurance. In over 20 years of driving (a lot) in Australia, I've never had a stone chip on a windshield. Lucky? I don't know. In 9 years in the USA, I've had about 20 bullseye type impact damages, and 4 new windshields. Little wonder when I see some many clowns with a trailer covered with loose dirt, stones and pebbles flying off at 80 miles an hour on the highway. Similar story with nails and punctures, but that's a whole new thread.

 

Hey Zippy, thanks for that pen idea! I just tried it and sure enough there's a rough patch between the wiper and the lower rubber seal.

Knowing my luck I'd be stuck between 2 companies fighting about it not being their responsibility.

 

I just cal SF and they put one in no questions asked. I don't even have a deductible for glass etc. My insurance isn't outrageous but I am sure lots of cheaper packages exist.

They did ask if I would put a data port GPS/ cell unit in to see if I could lower my rates. I said OH **** NO. The way I drive I would have outrageuous insurance.

 

Your "windshield insurance" probably covers damage from use...stones, etc. If there's an impact spot big enough to fit the tip of a ball-point pen into it, it's considered a crack caused by a road hazard (stone) and your insurance should cover it.
If, however, there's no "impact point," then it's considered a "stress fracture," which MINI should completely cover under warranty.
Either way, you should be covered.

I just replaced my 2014 windshield at a local auto glass shop for $425 after getting a quote for $1500 at my MINI dealer. My 12-inch crack was from a stone hit.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info. I learned the hard way with my '13 R56. I had no windshield warranty and the SA was trying to push it as a stress fracture...but the point of impact was the size of a tennis ball. It was $1000 from the dealer; I think I ended up getting it somewhere else for under $400 from memory. So when we bought the missus' car, and the insurance was offered for $730, I thought bugger it, better get it.

I think I'll have to slightly embellish the point of impact on this one, as I don't fancy my chances of fighting with the dealer over a stress fracture. Apparently I'm not popular there since I called them out on the service...or lack thereof. Lesson learned, choose your battles I suppose.

Mike

 

New crack in my windshield today, cannot find any evidence of an impact, starts at bottom of glass on drivers side. Anyone have success in dealer replacing under CPO?

 

Glass is not covered by CPO:


http://assets.cobaltnitra.com/teams/...on-Booklet.pdf