BEWARE - Cracked windshield while changing wiper blades

Sorry to hear what happened. I would go to a auto glass place and have them look at it. Often it can be fixed without replacing the windshield. They can fill the crack with a rosin to prevent it from spreading. Much cheaper than having to replace the windshield. Good advice about the rag!

Good Luck!

I know you said you aren't inured for it, but in the USA it would be covered under the comp (minus deductible).

I would check with your agent.

And def see if the can "fill" the cracks

You need to get the crack filled pronto, they tend to spread quickly from regular windshield flexing while driving and heat/cold.

Just for the standard windshield, It was going to cost me $700 USD (with installation)...

Thanks for your replies.

I will go to an auto glass specialist and hope it can be fixed. Since the crack is at the bottom of the windshield, it's not too apparent and will not impair my vision. Only problem is, it's Easter week-end and the place is closed. So I will have to wait till Tuesday.

As for my insurance company, I'm certain the risk is not covered because I had them remove that particular codicil (hey, I've been saving money for all those years, so I guess I'm even...).

anthonydv07 said:

Just for the standard windshield, It was going to cost me $700 USD (with installation)...

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What insurance company do you have cause you'd be getting raped!!! I have Allstate and it would cost me $250 for my Comprehensive Deductible to replace through SafeLite Auto Glass... Only downside is that no matter where you are the windshields are on back order for replacements... Good luck bro... hopefully it all works out for you...

MaForte said:

Hi all,

Yesterday, I decided to put the summer wiper blades on (which are the original wiper blades) and, while doing it, I dropped the arm (without the blade on) on the windshield and it cracked. I'm so mad at myself . It never happened to me and I've never had a cracked windshield in my entire life. So there's a small crack that spread into two hairlines. I don't know if it can be fixed of if I'll have to replace the windshield, which is probably going to cost a bundle with the wiper de-icer incorporated in it. And no, I'm not insured for it .

Anyway, if you change the blades, make sure that there's a rag or something on the windshield so that if you accidentally drop the arm, it won't damage it.

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I have a 2009 built Forte and my windshield just cracked on it's own accord, no stone chip or nothing . I took it into the local dealer and he informed me there was a problem with some windshields manufactured in 2009. Kia replaced it under warranty. So you could play dumb and tell your dealer windshield just developed this crack and see if they will cover it under warranty

anthonydv07 said:

Just for the standard windshield, It was going to cost me $700 USD (with installation)...

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your right i work for a car rental company we deal with safelite all the time i got a chip in my w/s they told me it was going to be 649 at my cost i asked why they told me the car is to new that they would have to use a oem w/s

MaForte said:

Hi all,

And no, I'm not insured for it .

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No insurance on a new car?? why is that?

Windshield coverage is an option on my full coverage insurance, I expect it is the same for MaForte.

MaForte, are the cracks on the outside layer of glass or on the inside layer?

I'm curious because my Koup was delivered with cracks eminating from a spot in the same area - but the cracks are in the inside layer of glass. Nothing can be seen or felt in the outer layer of glass. You have me wondering if they ship the cars with the windshield wipers/arms not on the car and then have them installed during prep (and perhaps someone dropped the arm).

My car is fully insured... except for the windshield. Since it's my first cracked windshield ever, I really don't know how it works, could I expect the insurance company to replace it for the price of the deductible? I'll surely ask. And I will call my dealer too and see if there's a way it could be replace under warranty. Not telling them it's my fault, of course And using what rpps said about the windshield possible problems. There's an impact like a stone hit it and two hairlines cracks, I'm not sure I could play dumb well enough to have them believe it's cracked all on its own... or that it was there for the past 8 months without me noticing it. I'm not that good an actress. But thanks for your advices and make sure you don't make the same mistake I did!!!

MaForte said:

My car is fully insured... except for the windshield. Since it's my first cracked windshield ever, I really don't know how it works, could I expect the insurance company to replace it for the price of the deductible? I'll surely ask. And I will call my dealer too and see if there's a way it could be replace under warranty. Not telling them it's my fault, of course And using what rpps said about the windshield possible problems. There's an impact like a stone hit it and two hairlines cracks, I'm not sure I could play dumb well enough to have them believe it's cracked all on its own... or that it was there for the past 8 months without me noticing it. I'm not that good an actress. But thanks for your advices and make sure you don't make the same mistake I did!!!

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I did and it worked but don't do what I first did and talked to the salesman who I bought it off, he said under no circumstance will car companies cover windshields. I then when went around to the Service Manager and soon as I said I had a crack on my windshield he said straight away to me that there is a fault with the glass and Kia know about the problem or fault and will cover the replacement. It's just that they don't make it widely know in case of everyone wanting theirs done when nothing wrong.
It would be interesting to know the build date of your car as mine was September 2009. The Service guy said about that time Kia had some faulty windshields delivered from the supplier that were faulty and had a tendacy to crack.

I have a small imperfection on the inside of my windshield right in the lower middle and can only feel it on the inside, feels like a small rough pit like someone had tried to drill a small hole. Thought it was something stuck to it but scratching it with nail and you feel it's a pit mark.

rpps said:

I did and it worked but don't do what I first did and talked to the salesman who I bought it off, he said under no circumstance will car companies cover windshields. I then when went around to the Service Manager and soon as I said I had a crack on my windshield he said straight away to me that there is a fault with the glass and Kia know about the problem or fault and will cover the replacement. It's just that they don't make it widely know in case of everyone wanting theirs done when nothing wrong.
It would be interesting to know the build date of your car as mine was September 2009. The Service guy said about that time Kia had some faulty windshields delivered from the supplier that were faulty and had a tendacy to crack.

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I don't know when it was built. I bought it in July 2009. How can I get that info ?

MaForte said:

I don't know when it was built. I bought it in July 2009. How can I get that info ?

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My compliance plate (Australia ) is on the inside panel front passenger door opening, over here they put a small aluminum plate with build date and VIN number. You can't miss it its just below the button that the door strikes that turn on or off interior lights

Man that sucks MaForte.
I understand about cutting cost down on the insurance, however before you fork out the $$$ to get it replaced, I would think that it would not hurt to at least try the dealership and see what happens.

In anycase, the windshield has to be replaced...just from a safety standpoint.

Good Luck and I hope that it all works out in your favour.

Cheers.

I just called my dealer. I tried to push the idea that it's not normal that such a small impact had that big a spread. But no, he said that there's nothing wrong with the windshield, no defect. What a surprise.

The de-icer is in fact incorporated, so the price for a new one is 978.29$ (Canadian), all included. Ouch. If I do buy it there, he will take about 75$ off. I called a couple of other places and it ranges from 850$ up to over 1000$. Of course, I could choose to put in the one with no de-icer (like ont the LX) but it's not that much cheaper.

The moral of this story: when you buy a brand new car, a brand new model to boot, it's a good idea to invest a little more money on your insurance... I know I will!!! (And I will take many many precautions when installing wiper blades!)