RV living

[Gary Fowler]

I took my class A motorhome out for a short trip to Branson,Mo. a month or so ago and got both my windshields (both sides-it is split in the middle) cracked. I have a $500 deductible insurance policy. Allstate has put me in touch with Safelite RV solutions as a recommended repair facility. Well finally yesterday they called to tell me the cost to replace both sides, over $2500 and that doesn't include replacing the gasket if it is faulty. I knew RVing was expensive but that is a bit over the top. I can get a car windshield replaced for $100 just about anywhere around here and the RV windshield is not more than 4 times as big. I am just glad I had some insurance on it for glass coverage. I keep it on storage insurance which drops the collision and liability when not in use and only covers comprehensive like storm and glass damage. That is not that expensive but it may sure go up now that I have a $2000 claim on it. Such is life.

 

[17 Oaks]

Sounds like a RIP off.

I took all of he glass out of my 55 Willys wagon down to my local SafeLite and told them to use as templates and make a new set [double pane for 4 pieces front and rear, 4 side windows]. We never talked cost, they just said they would get back to me. Few days later a gal called and said it was ready for pickup. Went down, and picked up, went to pay the tab and it was marked free. Well not what I was expecting so I asked to talk to Mgr. He said it was nothing but flat safety glass and he used it to train a new guy on making glass windows, so he did not charge me but thanked me for the opportunity...

 

[oosik]

Hmmm - to give a comparison. I had my windshield replaced six years ago in my Ford F-150 - its a 2005 year model. State Farm recommended Safelite and that's who I had do the job. State Farm covered the entire cost. The Safelite man said - the cost of this replacement is $265. My premiums did not increase because of this claim and better not have. I've been with State Farm since 1965 and that was the first claim I ever made.

IMHO - somebody, somewhere is ripping you off. Like you said - insurance helps but watch those premiums.

 

[smstonypoint]

Hmmm - to give a comparison. I had my windshield replaced six years ago in my Ford F-150 - its a 2005 year model. State Farm recommended Safelite and that's who I had do the job. State Farm covered the entire cost. The Safelite man said - the cost of this replacement is $265. My premiums did not increase because of this claim and better not have. I've been with State Farm since 1965 and that was the first claim I ever made.

IMHO - somebody, somewhere is ripping you off. Like you said - insurance helps but watch those premiums.

I had a cracked windshield in a 1995 Ranger more than 10 years ago in SC. My insurance company (Nationwide Insurance) paid for its replacement (I think by Safelite) at no cost to me and with no increase in my premium. I had dropped collision insurance on the truck, but I had maintained the comprehensive coverage.

Steve

 

[Gary Fowler]

This will be my first claim since joining Allstate in 2010. No accidents, no tickets. I also have the Drivewise modules in my vehicles which gets me rebates in cash. I have $264 in cash rebate right now which I will apply to my latest bill of $805 for auto insurance for my 3 cars. I also have my house, boat and motorcycle with them in addition to my RV so they get a pretty premium each year from me.

I tried a local glass place, gave them all the info but they never got back to me. Not a whole lot of choice in getting Class A motorhome glass replaced. It does take some special skill set to do it right. I have read on RV forums about windshields popping out, sliding down like a house window, etc from faulty installations. Some folks even recommended taking them back to the RV dealer to have it done right.
This is one reason I will be driving 70 miles one way to get it fixed by Safelite.

 

[oosik]

I thought some more on this. What doesn't make any sense either - why would Allstate recommend a repair company if it was a big rip off. In your case, Gary, they are going to pay anything over $500 anyhow. Man, I guess Class A motorhome windshields are just that expensive??? Kind of sounds like aircraft replacement parts.

 

[B7510HSD]

This will be my first claim since joining Allstate in 2010. No accidents, no tickets. I also have the Drivewise modules in my vehicles which gets me rebates in cash. I have $264 in cash rebate right now which I will apply to my latest bill of $805 for auto insurance for my 3 cars. I also have my house, boat and motorcycle with them in addition to my RV so they get a pretty premium each year from me.

I tried a local glass place, gave them all the info but they never got back to me. Not a whole lot of choice in getting Class A motorhome glass replaced. It does take some special skill set to do it right. I have read on RV forums about windshields popping out, sliding down like a house window, etc from faulty installations. Some folks even recommended taking them back to the RV dealer to have it done right.
This is one reason I will be driving 70 miles one way to get it fixed by Safelite.

You might try looking up someone that can do Big Rig Semi windshields they would be more inline with your Class A setup than the Automotive field.

 

[kf4uda]

The reason it is so expensive is because it is a "recreational vehicle". Look at anything deemed recreational whether it be RVs,boats,ATVs or whatever, the parts and repairs are always more expensive.

 

[CountryB]

In FL, if a windshield is cracked (where it is considered a safety issue and must be replaced) if the owner has comprehensive coverage, it must be replaced by the Insurance company at no expense to the owner (deductible does not get paid/applied). Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

I know your not in FL but you should check you state laws to see if you have a similar law).

 

[kcflhrc]

My windshleld replacement for my 14 Chevy Truck with Safelite was almost $500

 

[Raspy]

Jeep Wranglers are famous for broken windshields. To replace mine with Safelite was going to cost $350. A local shop has now done two of them for me for $180. each, out the door. Same for my Ram and my buddy's Chevy pickup.

Safelite charges nearly twice the price for the same glass.

 

[comancheflight]

The aircraft comment got me to wondering so I looked up one of my aircraft, a 250 Comanche, and the windshield STCd was about $500...of course your paying an aircraft surgeon wages to put it in...might be cheaper to sell the RV and buy aircraft.
And aircraft you can usually sell them for more than you paid for them in the used market.

 

[17 Oaks]

I pulled into a Safelite and they put in a new windshield for me. I drove out and made a left into the center turn lane, waiting on a big truck in my right view mirror. Truck goes by, hauling rocks, one comes off, takes a bounce and hit dead center of my windshield. I make a left back into Satellite and the put a new one in, don't charge me a dime.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I had a large (40') MH for 10 years, lived in it full time for 8. I replaced the windshield (it had 2 panels) 3 times. First time was its maiden voyage. Replaced under warranty but extended my trip by 10 days to get the replacements and get a spot in the shop calendar. The other times were covered by insurance (500 Deductible) at $1000 each time. In 10 years I spent over $10,000 in repairs and a lot I did myself. Early on I learned to not buy common stuff at the RV stores with markups as much as 100% over the local hardware store. Windshields are unique to the model, changed very often, and not a common stock item. All my failures were in the original design as the openings in the fiberglass were smaller than the window + gasket. Learned that on the last one. We trimmed out the fiberglass, installed, and it lasted the last 8 years. I told this to the factory service manager and his comment was "we always wondered why we had such a demand for replacement windows on that model". DUH!!

Ron