Safelite-AVOID! TOTAL INCOMPETENCE!!!

[Spidey]

I know other people have written about the windshield, but I think my experience might benefit others...

I went through a sandstorm (in my Sandstorm FJ....) and the original glass from Toyota was made into a level 4 cataract in 3 seconds.

I called GEICO and was told by the rep that I could go to any repair center I want, including Toyota, but the repair would not be fully covered. I asked how much the difference would be. I received another cryptic "we don't know" answer and was told that Safelite would be fine as they will warranty the work.

I grudgingly agreed and Safelite came out initially with two workers to fix the windshield. I went back into the apartment and when I came out a short time later, they had barely gotten the parts off the truck and I could already feel the tightness in my stomach from knowing they did not know how to do this on an FJ.

A short time later, two more workers came to help. A little bit later, another worker came. Now there are three Safelite trucks parked in front. The window is finally out and parts are all over the place.

Another hour and half, and one of the guys came to the door to tell me that they dropped the parts from the windshield into the body of the truck and I would have to take it to Toyota to get it fixed.

I told him to get the appointment for me and to take it over as soon they have the window in as I am not taking my hours to fix their screwup....and I closed the door.

I went out about an hour later and they said they unscrewed the mud flap in the front and the parts came out. I think it was the windshield wiper bolt covers.

I checked the work and it looked ok but had them take out some more of the debris that they left on the dashboard. That was April 14.

I rarely use the wipers here so I did not notice that the passenger side wiper is not going all the way back down after getting some road grime off the windows. It stays up at about a 45 degree angle.

The vehicle also has an increase in wind noise. I have to live with that.

Today I took a 360 mile trip. I get back and notice that the side pieces that are just below the windshield and that are supposed to clip into the top of the fender are just hanging. In fact, I can tell they were never really attached correctly as it appears the antenna is the only thing holding it in on the passenger's side. I have no idea what is holding it in on the driver's side. I tried to get them to clip back in again, but it appears that the morons mixed up the clips from the piece under the wipers as they are far larger than the holes. (I also noticed that the piece that is under the windshield wipers is also loose.)

I immediately called GEICO's glass claim department and got nowhere. They have to call Safelite's customer satisfaction department and I explained that Safelite would NEVER touch my truck again. My customer satisfaction department pays the bill to GEICO and it ain't satisfied.

I just got off the phone with GEICO and let them know that I would take the FJ to the dealer first thing Saturday morning, pay for the repair and rental if it is necessary, add the total costs of repairs/rentals to the number of hours spent getting it fixed and would meet them in court to get the expenses back.

Are there any DECENT insurance companies that have quality glass repair companies?

[avnmedicswife]

Unfortunately, decent is not synonymous with inusrance company.

I discovered that dealing with Progressive when someone hit ours in a Walmart parking lot and left no note, nothing.

According to the insurance company, the repair was cheaper than my deductible. They forgot to include the cost of paint. Nice huh?

[cyrus the virus]

Spidey, I live in Phoenix AZ and have numerous windshields replaced due to every dump truck known to man drives the same freeways I do. I currently have State Farm and have $0 deductible for windshield replacement. I personally have had 4-5 windshields replaced and have always used their "recommended" window company and have never had a problem. I think it's all about customer service, some companies have it and some definitely do not, I would rather pay a little more for personal assistance that get a cheaper rate through a big insurance group who pays the people minimum wage, IMO.

[layonnn]

They suggested safelite for me to fix a crack before it could spread. It was a nice older gentleman and the pit/crack has not spread. I have also had a good experience with progressive drive insurance. Repairing a trail injury i had to the passenger rear door. They had to replace the whole outer panel.

[Macleod]

I had both of my windshields replaced by Safelite. I have Geico with a $0 deductable and was told by the insurance rep both times that I could have the repair done at any shop I chose as long as I called Geico to let them know where I was going so that the proper work order could be sent out. I asked for feedback in the NW region section and went from there.

One thing I chose to do differently than you is that I took it into the shop rather than going with a remote installation. I personally felt that it was worth 2 hours of my time to have it in the shop with a tech who I had spoken to personally about his experience on FJs. I was told they had done at least 20, and his work shows that he knew what was going on. In fact, when he did my second windshield, there was also a TRD there getting a new windshield installed.

I'm sorry for your bad experience, but personally my experience with Geico has been excellent. Even after having two new windshields installed two weeks apart (but that's another unrelated story) my rates actually went down for this renewal period. Any time I have called I have gotten my questions answered and my work taken care of quickly.

Good luck with the repairs!

[Spidey]

Macleod previously said:

I had both of my windshields replaced by Safelite. I have Geico with a $0 deductable and was told by the insurance rep both times that I could have the repair done at any shop I chose as long as I called Geico to let them know where I was going so that the proper work order could be sent out. I asked for feedback in the NW region section and went from there.

One thing I chose to do differently than you is that I took it into the shop rather than going with a remote installation. I personally felt that it was worth 2 hours of my time to have it in the shop with a tech who I had spoken to personally about his experience on FJs. I was told they had done at least 20, and his work shows that he knew what was going on. In fact, when he did my second windshield, there was also a TRD there getting a new windshield installed.

I'm sorry for your bad experience, but personally my experience with Geico has been excellent. Even after having two new windshields installed two weeks apart (but that's another unrelated story) my rates actually went down for this renewal period. Any time I have called I have gotten my questions answered and my work taken care of quickly.

Good luck with the repairs!

Thanks for the good feedback about GEICO.

It is not that GEICO is necessarily bad, but they chose Safelite and insisted on Safelite, making them TOTALLY liable for the cost of reapir.

In Seattle, you have a much higher population density than we have here in the Coachella Valley. This area is known for the poorest customer service and by far some of the dumbest workers around.

[imagodave]

Spidey previously said:

In Seattle, you have a much higher population density than we have here in the Coachella Valley. This area is known for the poorest customer service and by far some of the dumbest workers around.

But you do have a fun concert festival once a year!!

[Bang Bang]

Spidey previously said:

I called GEICO and was told by the rep that I could go to any repair center I want, including Toyota, but the repair would not be fully covered. I asked how much the difference would be. I received another cryptic "we don't know" answer and was told that Safelite would be fine as they will warranty the work.

First of all I would like to say sorry to hear about the trouble. Secondly, I would say that it must be the Safelite folks in your area. I have had safelite change out several windshields in the past (not on my FJ though) with absolutely no issues. You also stated that GEICO insisted on safelite but in your original post it doesn't sound like that. I'm not bagging on you but I think you took the least expensive route (and I certainly understand that....I probably would have done the same) and now you are upset because you got the least expensive results. For everyone else, I would say that if you have to get your windshield replaced, do as Mcleod did and go to the shop, talk with the installer, bring your laptop (or a copy of the many install threads here) so he can see what's involved. We all know that people doing a job get better at it over time (usually) from repetition. If they have never worked on an FJ before, you can't blame them for their lack of knowledge. But I do think that safelite is the company that needs to make it right for you, not GEICO because ultimately it was your choice to use sfaelite.
Just my .02 .... and again sorry for your trouble.

[t2cruiser]

Spidey previously said:

I
........ the side pieces that are just below the windshield and that are supposed to clip into the top of the fender are just hanging. In fact, I can tell they were never really attached correctly as it appears the antenna is the only thing holding it in on the passenger's side. I have no idea what is holding it in on the driver's side.

Sorry for your trouble......Regarding the side wing pieces: I had this problem after a windshield install. In fact my drivers side cover BLEW OFF at speed( 80mph in New mexico). This was happily replaced by my dealer under warranty. Unfortunately it blew off a SECOND time on the freeway. My dealer again happily replaced the part.

Be sure you get NEW plastic hardware clips ( a couple of bucks and covered by warranty ) to reaffix the parts. The clips seem to only work one time and fail after removing the cover. Not a big deal to fix, but a potentiall hazardous problem if the covers are loose.

[FJDave]

Due to this thread, I just checked with AAA insurance. They have NO GLASS POLICY. I have to use the comp part of the coverage, which is a $100 deductible. I guess that's better than the whole cost of the windshield. Sucks, though.