Just bought a brand new Honda Civic hatch. Driven 5 days, just under 300km and now discovered a 3 inch crack in the back windscreen, bottom right near the frame, under the spoiler. Just my usual drive to work and back, normal road/ traffic. Insurance company said it'll cost me $800 excess fee for replacing it. It's the weekend and Honda dealership is closed. I'm so angry and I hate my new Civic now. Killjoy! Definitely kicking up a fuss on Monday with Honda Australia.

safelite repairs safelite replace

I don't understand. Were you driving when it happened or was it parked and you found it cracked? If the latter, it's unlikely it was a random pebble.

Same thing happened to me with my brand new Subaru, and they replaced it immediately.

Years ago, the Car Talk guys did a part of their show about why there seemed to be so many more windshield cracks than there had been in the past. They said it had to do with manufacturers making the windshields thinner so the car would be lighter for better gas mileage. Thinner windshields crack more easily than thicker ones, so it's a big problem.

Just happened to me in a new Mercedes C43 with 60 miles on it. A 3 inch crack on the upper right edge. I am sure is defective I'll stop by the dealer tonight which seems to be the logical thing to do.

Same thing with my brand new car , the dealer ripped me off didn't replace it under warrenty , my caR is just 10 day old . Had to use my insurance , it sucks

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

I think the deductible depends on your insurance. We live in VA, have USAA and have no out-of-pocket expenses for replacing a windshield.

My MD insurance covers filling cracks 100% but if the entire windshield needs to be replaced the standard deductible would apply. Are you sure this isn't what yours is too? I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't have to pay your deductible unless you simply don't have a deductible. How would that benefit the insurance company?

No, USAA considers it better for them to pay for a new windshield vs. paying for an accident caused by poor visibility.

actually, i have USAA as well and do NOT have coverage for my windshield if there's damage. so i think it depends not only on your insurance provider but your level of coverage.

Good point. A reminder as to why we shouldn't take legal, medical or insurance advice from the DCUM forum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

I think the deductible depends on your insurance. We live in VA, have USAA and have no out-of-pocket expenses for replacing a windshield.

My MD insurance covers filling cracks 100% but if the entire windshield needs to be replaced the standard deductible would apply. Are you sure this isn't what yours is too? I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't have to pay your deductible unless you simply don't have a deductible. How would that benefit the insurance company?

No, USAA considers it better for them to pay for a new windshield vs. paying for an accident caused by poor visibility.

actually, i have USAA as well and do NOT have coverage for my windshield if there's damage. so i think it depends not only on your insurance provider but your level of coverage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

I think the deductible depends on your insurance. We live in VA, have USAA and have no out-of-pocket expenses for replacing a windshield.

My MD insurance covers filling cracks 100% but if the entire windshield needs to be replaced the standard deductible would apply. Are you sure this isn't what yours is too? I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't have to pay your deductible unless you simply don't have a deductible. How would that benefit the insurance company?

No, USAA considers it better for them to pay for a new windshield vs. paying for an accident caused by poor visibility.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

I think the deductible depends on your insurance. We live in VA, have USAA and have no out-of-pocket expenses for replacing a windshield.

My MD insurance covers filling cracks 100% but if the entire windshield needs to be replaced the standard deductible would apply. Are you sure this isn't what yours is too? I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't have to pay your deductible unless you simply don't have a deductible. How would that benefit the insurance company?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

I think the deductible depends on your insurance. We live in VA, have USAA and have no out-of-pocket expenses for replacing a windshield.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Called the dealer and I'm bringing it in. They are going to examine and make a determination. Keep your fingers crossed. It is at the bottom of the windshield so I think it is the construction. P.S. As of the ride to work the crack is now a foot long, so I really can't drive this thing.

We had a defective windshield and the crack started at the bottom too. You would have heard a pebble crack the glass. I'm pretty sure your's is defective too. Be adamant that you didn't witness anything cracking it and that it just happened and you want it replaced.

If they won't cover it and the insurance has to cover it you will still be out your deductible.

i'm in MD and do not have glass coverage under my auto insurance so i wouldn't assume automatically that you do.

but i've had to replace my windshield pretty often over the years because of flying rocks and pebbles (especially with all the dump trucks around). i want to say it cost around $300, which isn't too bad all things considered. i found an independent company was a little cheaper than safelite, which is where most people go.

You have absolutely nothing to lose by starting with the dealer first and seeing if, as a courtesy, they will either repair or replace the windshield. Personally, I'd start by taking it to a manager there and giving them the song and dance about how you just bought the car, you loved the dealer, you've already recommended them to several friends because of the great service you got and also hope to bring the car there for all services (which is where they make their real money). I am sure they have discretion in cases like this. If they refuse, try your insurance company next and then, as a last resort, pay out of pocket.