How much should it cost to replace the windshield?

[Cobalt]

The reason you will find prices so different is all window glass is not the same.

Lots of companies including many auto dealers carry cheap China glass which has a terrible reputation for quality control, it will have voids, blemishes, and hazing.
I have seen a couple replacement windshields that looked like you were looking through saran wrap.

Do a little research before choosing one company over another.

[vr4Legacy]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Some states have road funds dedicated to windshield replacements you can file a claim against it with the state and get your money back or some of it etc. Most people never bother given they generally make the claim process difficult by design.

I did this with a rim I bent on my Legacy. The process was so long and tedious I don't know that I'd do it again.. Luckily I took pics of the potholes and showed I couldn't have avoided them, but my claim was denied because I didn't file an insurance claim when the damages were less than my deductible. I was able to appeal and won when I brought papers showing my deductible was less than my claim. I started the process in Feb 2009... I received my check in July 2011.

From reading into the stipulations, it would be hard to get a glass claim unless something fell off a truck or from an overhead working site. I believe WV specifically states they won't cover small debris (gravel, cinders etc) from a truck. Their thought is you shouldn't be following so closely. Of course... this varies state to state.

[BossMaverick]

$377 doesn't seem completely out of line but you may be able to do better. Besides local glass companies, don't forget to call auto body shops since a lot of them replace auto glass.

For reference, non-heated windshields from the local glass place here is about $275 installed (+/- $25 depending on the make and model). Our work vehicles needs new windshields about every other year and my personal vehicles needs a new windshield once every 3 years, so I'm very familiar with auto glass costs. There is one company here that is slightly cheaper but the glass quality seems a bit less.

I'd highly suggest calling around for price quotes. Don't go with Safelite just because of their commercials.

Edited to Add: I would have to pay my full deductible for glass so I just pay out of pocket when I need a new windshield. When you call for quotes, some places give a cash discount so be sure to ask about it.

[upflying]

Check to see f the windshield is genuine Subaru or a Chinese knock off. I had Safelite recently replace mine with the cheaper Chinese heated version, my receipt says $100.

[Jake2c]

I'm not sure I would go by price alone. I had a windshield on my Honda replaced by Safelite and they did an excellent job very quickly. I have had windshields replaced before and have had leaks along with scratches on the dash. Nothing like being in another state and it starts raining and you get a leak. For the Honda (not heated) it was a pretty good price, less than 200.

[BlueCorn]

When I said "go by price alone" it assumed you were dealing with a reputable shop. Albuquerque is much smaller than the SF Bay Area. There literally is just one warehouse that everyone buys from. Any shop, here, that has a reputation and a decent warranty is only selling quality glass. Even my Subaru dealer sends their glass work out.

That said, I've always asked to see the replacement glass before signing the estimate. If it doesn't look good, go somewhere else. It's common sense.


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[Sequoia225]

I had to replace my windshield on my 2003 OB around 2006. I found a local company in the yellow pages I think. I don't remember much other than they came to my house and I think most of the companies operated that way that I had called. My memory is it was about 350 to 400. Mine has the heating element in it too. I remember the shade printing on window near the rear view mirror was printed a little differently just a little "darker" and it irked me a bit but honestly, the window has been fine and it wasn't a big deal.
But yeah - it was in the 350 to 400 range and I did some comparison shopping.

[Jake2c]

Nothing to do with where the glass came from, it wasn't the glass that was bad, it was the installation. I would have thought that point was obvious.

[Bags]

I had mine replaced a couple months ago (with the heating element)- it was just under $400 through Safelite but insurance picked most of it up!!!

[rico567]

Here's a little reality check. Safelite here (Central IL) charged the insurance company $650 the last time we needed a windshield in our SAAB (about 4 years ago, we have $250 deductible). A month ago, my wife backed into a rural mailbox and took out the (heated) rear window in our wagon. Would you believe $1100?