Driving across the Tappan Zee bridge in my brand new MINI S hardtop and suddenly - bang! My heart dropped when I saw the spider web crack on the lower-right corner of the windshield almost the size of a dinner plate - obviously a stone kicked up from a car ahead.

The good news is that my insurance company is on top of it and my deductible is manageable. It seems there is a box solidly attached to the windshield (with a sensor) near the rear-view mirror. I assume this may be part of the automatic wiper system? Seems a no-brainer that I'll just go to MINI to have it repaired, even though my insurance company has a "preferred" vendor instead.

 

Don't assume that your dealer installs windshield glass. They usually sub it out.

 

I'll certainly ask them if they do that, and - if so - I may consider going directly to the sub if they are on the USAA preferred list (which means a lifetime warranty). On the other hand, I would still think MINI oversight means guaranteed MINI parts (I'd insist on nothing less esp in a new car) plus MINI warranty service if there is a problem.

 

Sorry to hear. I TZ Bridge it every day too and the constant construction leaves too much debris on the pavement to be kicked up.
I had a rock hit my windshield on the the Thruway and the Mini dealership's price was way higher than my insurance company would pay out for the job. Safelite did it and so far so good. Only cost me the $20 tip for the guy.
Mine happened when it was brand new too, so I feel your pain.

 

Ask for OEM glass. They could try and sub it with cheaper alternatives.

And my glass replacement insurance does not have a deductible. Read your policy.

 

I was surprised to hear I DID have a deductible on auto glass. It may be a Pennsylvania thing, and I'll definitely look through y policy to be sure the agent isn't wrong. Last windshield replacement I had was indeed a zero-deduct thing, same insurance company (USAA) - but that was in Florida

 

You can get zero deductable on your comprehensive coverage for as little as $5.00 a month. I did and it has paid for itself over the years.

 

I doubt this will be your last windshield, Mini's seem to go through them often. I am on number 5, I have a 100.00 deductable. That Bridge is nasty and worse right after they move the divider each am and pm

 

Not really related, but I bent my rim 3 days after buying my MINI, so you're not alone:(

 

Last windshield replacement I had was indeed a zero-deduct thing, same insurance company (USAA) - but that was in Florida

FL requires ins charge no deductable on front glass so long as coverage is carried. I think a few other states do too but 4 sure this applies in FL. Do look into a zero deduct' on comprehensive coverage - the fee is often very small.

 

??

How are you able to tell him that without knowing things like his current deductible, his age, his address, his comp claim history, and his insurance comlany's filed rating plan in his home state?

Could cost him $1 a month, might cost him $20 a month. He can call his carrier and get a quote for full comp. That's the only way anyone can tell him.

 

Glass repair and replacement deductible waivers are dictated by policy language and can vary by State. They are not the same for all insureds with the same carrier.

 

sorry

I meant ask

cuz MOST folks find that the $ they pay for collision deductable is NOTHING like their comp' . . . . if they even HAVE comp .... or even if glass falls under comp on their policy

 

Hey I do the TBZ commute everyday too! What a terrible bridge that is, so many bumps and metal plates and gaps. I am sorry about your mini. I cant believe you got that big of a crack on your windshield form there - makes me worry about driving! Good luck with the repair.

 

Indeed, and the bane of insurance is every time a claim is generated it affects the algorythm that will determine your next premium amount.

I use to use my zero dedutable all the time for all kinds of things from door dings to windshield pits and when my premium came up for renewal, it was just a little more than previous.

I assumed it was just adjusting for inflation, increased costs for materials, labor, etc, but was informed claim history factors into it also.
Doe !

 

OT: I am in Monroe too! Awesome to see a local on here.

 

Man, the size of a dinner plate???? That had to have scared the &%@# out of ya!

I have several dime sized and smaller rock chips - still have the original windshield nearly 70K later - none of them have grown...

They've been doing work on the eastern end of the Long Island Expressway for the last year or so and I keep seeing chunks of concrete on the shoulder that are the size of half a brick. All I can ever picture is some jack-off texting and throwing one of those out into three lanes traffic. I'd feel lucky if all it took out was a dinged up windshield.

 

@kidziti definitely inquire about no-deductible glass coverage. The first gen MINI's had some trouble with the glass cracking under strain. I've read that BMW strengthened the later models, but I don't believe it. My 2006 MCS windshield developed the characteristic L-shaped crack at a day of enthusiastic autocross -- from the strain of hard cornering.

(there was a class action suit, if memory serves, and BMW ended up reimbursing owners who paid out of pocket for new windshields. I got a letter from them but had discarded my receipt and couldn't prove I had been affected. Ah, well.)