3rd Windscreen in 6 months

[shiznit]

I can't believe it has happened again, I don't know wether it is just bad luck, or windscreens are not as tough as they used to be. Stone hit my windscreen again yesterday on my way to work. Rang insurance and they first of all told me that Admiral now charge £25 for repairs. Paid this and waited for the windscreen depot to call, (should be in the next hour). After 2 hours I rang them and was told that they were extremely busy and could i go to the depot. I informed them that was not possible as i was leaving work early for a doctors appointment at 6.30, it was now 4.30. He asked me if i could drop in the next day before work and have it repaired at the depot. I said i would ring him in the morning. Come out to my car this morning, and it has already gone into a crack!, therefore new windscreen and £75 excess. I'm fuming, if they had of repaired it yesterday this could have been avoided. Should I have to pay the full excess seeing as they did not repair it when I informed them straight away?

Thanks

[SpikeyBush]

Change insurers at next renewal. I have never paid any excess when having a windscreen repaired or replaced, and over the years I have had more screens go than you could shake a stick at. Often a stone would hit it and I couldn't see any damage, then it if was a frosty night the following morning there would be a crack.

[JonnyBoy12]

I would try and make light of this situation but you would not like my 'cracks' about your plight!

Sorry I can not be of more help.

[EDDIE51]

I must be lucky, driving for nearly 42 years now in UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East every thing from an 850 Mini to a 5.5 litre Chevrolet often on dirt roads. Including over 250,000Km in Saudi Arabia .
Not so much as a cracked windscreen ever ! only one puncture as well and that was due to someone sticking a knife in the tyre.

[EDDIE51]

Possibly my lack of cracked windscreens is due to my personal rule of always leaving at least double the recommended distance between me and the vehicle in front. Lost count of the times that has 'saved my bacon' , had a lorry 'jack knife' in front of me on the M25 last month but I was so far behind I had time to avoid it. Another time a car overtook me and the roof rack fell off , it had 3 canoes on it ! , again I had 'dropped back' and successfully avoided them.

[oneinam]

I have friend who never drives fast. The condition of his cars are excellent. Very little front chip marks. I have other friends who are fast motorway drivers. They seem to have a lot of front chip marks and the occasional cracked windscreen. Especially if the road has course grit, stones and rocks, just slow the pace and keep a longer separation from the car in front.

[shiznit]

Wow, 5 answers, but no actual answer to my question

[EDDIE51]

I thought windscreen cover included repair OR replacement whichever was needed. Not just repair if they charge £75 to replace a screen what is the point in having screen cover in the first place ? I would tell them that it was their fault that the screen had to be replaced and refuse to pay.
I don't have windscreen cover as my car is 13 years old and I could get a screen from the scrap yard for £10 then get my mate who works for Autoglass to fit it for a couple of pints. My last 2 cars were both Volvo estates and I kept a spare windscreen in the back ready for an emergency but never needed it. if your screen is laminated you can drive for days or even weeks wth a crack right across it.