Stone Chip - Repair Advice Needed - Sydney

justanick on 08/12/2020 - 03:07

Hi All,
I live in Sydney near international airport. I had a very small chip in my car when I purchased my car and the dealer fixed it through a local repair shop.
Over last week I can see the black resin which was there is coming off and the stone chip is looking more and more visible. I don’t know much about repairing windshield glass but here are my options.
My car is Mercedes W205 it has lots of sensors in the windshield glass. Including a dashcam I got it installed by professionals.
Please let me know which option should I take:
1) I have Commbank car insurance with includes excess free glass repair. Should I claim insurance for this if yes can I get Mercedes to get me the windshield repair ?
I’m not sure how this works never claimed an insurance on a car or glass
2) O’Brien in Alexandria has some good reviews should I get them to repair the glass ? How much would it cost roughly for a small chip?
3) I could try super cheap auto products but the instructions seem difficult for me. I don’t want to fail.

I think my wiper on driver’s side makes a noise rattling cause of the chip or resin coming out. The rain last week caused it to be more visible

Automotive

Comments

  • Turbovich on 08/12/2020 - 03:32
    +8

    Return to dealer for repair.

  • aoeueoa on 08/12/2020 - 05:24
    +1

    I've had 2 different cars repaired by The Chip Doctor (driving on the M4 everyday lol). It was quick good work and the chips didn't return. He can't eliminate the chip 100%. He's a 1 man gang i think and i found him pretty straight up and honest about what he can and can't do.

  • Haydos90 on 08/12/2020 - 06:15
    +2

    If you do go down the insurance route, be aware that even though you have the excess free windshield option it'll still count as a claim which will raise your premiums for a few years.

  • Ocker on 08/12/2020 - 07:48

    Get a genuine Mercedes screen installed under insurance. Costs is probably around the $1,200-$1,500 mark

  • justanick on 08/12/2020 - 09:30

    The chip is right on my eye level. I am getting distracted a lot. My ideal option would be to claim insurance on it. Do they keep the car for a day or two or install this in few hours ie in Mercedes ?
    The insurance on the wind shield through my insurance was excess free and does not claim towards claim that's what I know when I took the cover. Are they going to send someone to inspect the car ?

    My neighbour saw the mark this morning and told me even if O'Brien works on the chip the mark will be there which is distracting me while driving.

    Did anyone use O'Brien ?

    • xuqi on 08/12/2020 - 10:39

      Take an O'B quote, halve it for an approximation of what you'll pay to have it repaired elsewhere.

      If it's at your eye level, and distracting you then I suggest using your insurance to have the screen replaced.

      Check with you insurance company as to who they use. The genuine screen will most likely need to be ordered in but they may come to your work/residence to install it.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/12/2020 - 10:10

    If you have road-side assistance, check whether it includes windscreen chip repair (this is an add-on available with NRMA)

  • justanick on 08/12/2020 - 10:48

    CommInsurance uses O'Brian and the guy who I spoke with was a pain to deal with. I told him that I need a quote for full replacement for Genuine windshield vs a chip repair from my pocket. It's in the line of sight and he kept reading from his manual is it a 5cent coin size or not ?
    Anyways after pushing him he made me an appointment tomorrow for $151 to repair the glass if I am unhappy they can order the genuine windshield glass. WTH is that I know they cannot make it like there are no spot but the guy on the call insist they do thousands of cars and they can make it roadworthy ! What about me being picky as I keep looking at the spot while driving !

    I never used O'Brien are they good professional and can install genuine MB glass ?

  • justanick on 08/12/2020 - 13:24
    +2

    I called CommInsure and getting it changed through Mercedes Benz. I don't trust O'Brian as they tried selling me after market windshield saying its so could etc.
    Yes, the premium may increase with CommInsure for that I can go to another insurance company if they do as my record is very clean did not claim once in my life 15 years driving. Been a member with CommBank for 18 years

    • swimmingtoad on 08/12/2020 - 22:43

      Other insurance companies will also charge you more with the recent claim on your record.
      Your 15 year driving record doesn't matter if you have had a claim in the last few. Insurance companies only care about the last 5 or 7 years. It will increase your premiums for 2-3 years but at least it's fixed to your satisfaction.

      • justanick on 08/12/2020 - 23:28

        do all insurance companies carry some sort of internal system to check if I claimed from the previous insurer or not ?
        What a scum bag insurance companies are ! when i got the insurance policy they fed me info on how good it is to take the no claim excess for windscreen potection but did not tell me my premium will increase a lot if I claim it's almost like the normal excess we pay.
        Yes I am glad I booked it through Mercedes as I know they will care for my car unlike O'Brien who wanted to sell me after market windshield glass then started talking about wipers !! WTF that's a red flag right there.
        Also offered me discounts on coming in to my place and fixing the crack then quickly just like in the TV ads ran through some gibrish policies which I won't understand.

        MB will keep the car for 2 days

        • Tnetennba on 09/12/2020 - 09:49
          +2

          do all insurance companies carry some sort of internal system to check if I claimed from the previous insurer or not ?

          I think you have to declare it when signing up for the new insurer, and if they do find out you lied I think it is probably insurance fraud or may simply have them not pay out in the event you need to make a claim.

  • justanick on 10/12/2020 - 01:05

    Thank you all. OBrien seems so unprofessional they called me starting at 7am and kept calling with various phone numbers and text. I called and left a voice mail at 10:30am to email me. They sourced original MB glass quoted me more than MB.
    Glad I do not have to deal with them this time around.

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