Unfortunately in life, there will be those moments in which the unforeseen decides to reach into your pockets. Hopefully you will never be in a position in which you will have to pay for a car window replacement, but in the case that you ever do, there are some tips that may help you save money in the process.
Some of these tips will be relative in their conceptual significance, meaning that perspective will have an impact on how effective the tip may seem to a particular individual.
Insurance Claim
Depending on your particular situation, the best way to save money on your car window replacement may be to file an insurance claim. The manner in which your particular policy is set up will determine whether or not this is a good solution for you. There are a couple variables that must be considered. The first variable is the cost of your deductible. If you have an extremely low deductible or no deductible, you can save on out of pocket expenses up-front. On the other hand, if you have a sizable deductible, it might be better to pay for the replacement out-of-pocket.
Another consideration that you must engage is the impact the claim will have on your monthly premiums. Some insurance companies have policies in which a certain amount of claims will be forgiven in a given time frame. This means they will not negatively impact your monthly premiums or lead to cancellation.
Avoid Bargain Shopping
The natural proclivity to find the best deal is not always the best route to take when looking to save money on window replacements. This concept of spending more money up-front may not seem effective, but spending slightly more on a higher quality product will save you money on future replacements and repairs.
Sacrificing quality for price will have you revisiting the same situation sometime in the near future. Normally, the additional charges associated with the extra repairs will exceed the price you would have paid for a product of higher quality.
Repair before Replacing
This is a principle that is often overlooked. Many people postulate that a damaged window or windshield has to be replaced, but there are times when repairing the window is a viable option. This can literally save you hundreds of dollars in some cases. Avoid disreputable repair shops; they will normally fail to share with you when repairing the window is an option.
The extent of the damage to the window will be the determining factor on whether or not it will be necessary to replace the damaged glass.
Don’t Do It Yourself
There will be some people that believe doing certain repairs themselves is a great way to save money. There are occasions where this is true; however, there are certain situations in which a certain level of expertise is required to ensure that the repair or replacement is done correctly. Attempting to do the replacement on your own may help lower the upfront cost, but it will probably catch up with you on the back-end.
You will be better served finding a reputable window or glass repair shop that will have the expertise to successfully complete the job. The money you spend on paying a quality professional will be a worthwhile investment, providing the peace of mind that comes with the confidence of knowing you can trust the repairs.
Do Your Due Diligence
Take the time to research your situation. This includes researching normal and expected costs associated with the type of damage that has occurred to your window. Also research reputable shops in your area. This will help you save money by avoiding being overcharged as well as having to pay to redo shabby work.
When evaluating potential companies to repair or replace your window, make sure that you inquire about their warranties and guarantees. You will want to deal with a company that does not have a problem standing behind their services and their products.
Become familiar with the top brands and manufacturers so that you will be aware of what the repair company is placing in your vehicle.
Repair or Replace Immediately
Don’t make the mistake of attempting to wait out the damage. Attempting to wait until you absolutely have to will normally end up costing you more money. If you address the issue immediately, you can minimize some of the cost. Most window damage is progressive, meaning that it will consistently become worse the longer it goes unaddressed.
Negotiate
This is a principle that is rarely used but is highly effective. People have become so adept to paying whatever the price tag or invoice states that they rarely attempt to get a better deal. You will find that, in many cases, you will be able to receive a considerable reduction in the initial quote by simply asking.
Each of these tips have some intrinsic benefit, but finding the right company to handle the repairs will save you money and stress.
Instant Windscreens & Tinting is Australasia’s largest independent car window replacement and tinting business serving customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
