@ ch3tman,

That's the thread I read! My car is now booked in for Monday 9-1pm (£80 windscreen excess).

Looking closely yesterday I saw 4-5 stone chips, 1 small crack and the 3-4cm smash.

 

I did try to insist but it would mean I have to fork out the full cost of the OEM screen, just not an option unfortunately! Admiral only cover the cost of a manufacturer part if the car is less than 3 years old. There goes my dream of getting a nice new Honda screen for £75

It sounds like it's fairly hit-and-miss as to whether it's a good aftermarket one or not, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will be checking it over very carefully....

 

Haha, well..... The guy from Auto Windscreens turned up, and was gone again 10 mins later without changing a thing. As suspected, the aftermarket screen had a different mirror boss, and clearly was going to cause exactly the problems I've read about. So he called the depot to find out the situation re: OEM screens, and has left me to battle it out with Admiral.

FYI, it's mentioned in other threads but the difference is that the OEM mirror boss is kind of wedge shaped, thicker at its top edge than at the bottom. The aftermarket one, while it looks the same, is completely flat in profile (sorry completely forgot to take some pics). I spotted this as soon as the mirror was off, and the fitter agreed it wasn't worth going any further.

What are my chances of getting Admiral to cough up for a Honda screen? I can't see they have any choice, as the aftermarket ones are clearly not the same as a standard part. I still find it interesting that their understanding of the word "standard" does not include an original, factory Honda screen.

 

But if you fitted an upgraded exhaust manifold that looked roughly the same as standard OEM they'd void your insurance if they found it after a claim - double standards eh ?

 

Well if the fitter says it won't fit it's not fit for the job, Admiral can't argue with that. You have them stuffed as they have to replace like for like whether its Honda or whatever.

 

Just had a call from the Auto Windscreens depot, the manager there doesn't agree that it's a problem, apparently he's fitted it to loads of S2000s without issues. Obviously I'm going to take more notice of actual S2000 owners rather than the people selling the glass, so it's going to be my opinion against theirs. Not holding my breath but don't know what I'm going to do if they refuse... presumably even if I change insurer then the new insurers will know that the damage was done on a previous policy and not cover it?

 

I don't agree with this, I had an aftermarket screen and it was awful, I insisted they use an OEM screen and rubbers on the next fitting.

Still have some issues with 'clouding' up on cold days, that never happened with the original screen that I recall .. but this OEM screen is much better, i got a chip right plumb centre but under my eyeline two days after having the brand new one fitted, and a year on it's still the only 'mark' on the window.

My advice OEM screen and rubbers.

 

I fought all I could but they simply would not budge, so it's aftermarket or nothing for me I'm going to be shopping around for new insurance, as it turns out this 3-year rule applies to ALL parts, so they will not replace anything like-for-like. Not happy at all, it's actually buried in the T's+C's on a page entitled "Fire and Theft"

I've got no option but to take the aftermarket screen and just see how it goes. Maybe slipping the fitter a tenner will encourage him to tell Admiral I need a OEM screen.....

P.S. Sorry for completely hijacking your thread caboose!

 

All OEM screens are appropriately constructed.

Some aftermarket screens are appropriately constructed.

Some screens (OEM or aftermarket) are properly fitted.

Some (OEM or aftermarket) aren't.

Insisting on OEM increases chances of success but doesn't guarantee it - any more than accepting aftermarket guarantees failure.

Let them fit whatever they want to fit - photograph the outcome and pursue correction aggressively, and through the small claims court if necessary, if the outcome is not fit for purpose.

The odds are actually that it'll be fine.

 

Get the manager to get off his asre, out of his warm comfey chair and get him to see for himself (as hes fitted loads without issues), if he thinks its OK get him to fit it, keep all relevent dates and comments noted and tell him you are doing so. That will get him calling Admiral if he thinks it's going to be a problem, If he goes ahead and it is not right he will have Admiral and his head office to deal with.