Broken Windshield At Tint Shop - Advice?

[Workinstif]

Was having tint installed today at a reputable shop. While they were prepping the windshield a small rock chip opened into a foot long crack. Prior to installation I pointed out the chip. Secretary told me anything would've made it crack, even the windshield wipers! I called b.s. Owner seems reasonable and said it was due to them heating the glass for install, we agreed to a follow up conversation on Monday to discuss a plan where "everyone is happy". I was planning to have some additional work done.

Any thoughts about this and what you think is a fair agreement would be appreciated. Do you think they're at fault, not at fault or partially? I called my insurance company and I'm obligated to a $500 deductible, which I'm guessing is more than a new windshield.

Thanks!

 

[Rookie]

That's a tough one. My buddy's mustang had a rock chip in it once. Had safelite do their repair thing and when the put the suction cup on it the chip spider webbed out. They replaced his whole windshield.

 

[Icecobra]

If it was broken before then you knew it was... Cracks will increase on there own and in time you knew you had to replace it. Mine had a tiny chip and I sprayed water on it one hot day to wash the truck and it took off, 224.00 later I had a new windshield... I don't get how its the window tint guys responsibility in anyway... You should apologize, tell them you knew it was broken, and sometimes shit happens...

 

[JayneCobb]

I'm with Ice on this one. Although the shop should have said no to the tint until the chip is fixed.

I'd get safelite to the shop and have the shop tint it just before it gets installed.

 

[Workinstif]

I appreciate your feedback guys and that's a great suggestion JayneCobb. My thing is that I showed them the chip and they basically said no prob. I didn't know that heat is used for tint installs. I'm not a window expert and know that dramatic temperature changes turn small cracks into large ones; they're supposed to be the pros. Had I known they use heat guns I likely would've at least thought twice about the install.

 

[SaintsFan]

Check with your insurance company! Unless you have a bare bones policy, you are likely covered for the full cost of the repair or even the cost to replace the windshield if warranted. But you might not want to mention anything about the tint shop to your insurance company.

 

[Yukon Joe]

a new windshield is about $480.
They didn't cause the chip in the windshield, it happened.... although they said it wouldn't spread, it did. That's not their fault. It sucks, but I think your stuck... it probably would have opened up over winter.. then you'd have to get a new windshield and have the tint re-applied. Which would have been more money.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

most insurance policies have a $100 deductable. there is no negative mark on your insurance policy because of a broken glass claim. it is covered under your comprehensive coverage. split the deductable and have the insurance company replace it. since you knew about it, it was your responsibility to have it fixed. but as a shop owner that has to deal with these types of situations, i think its fair if both sides take equal responsibility. it was in their shop when it got worse, but they did not cause the damage. after a chip in the windshield, as ice said, temperature change plays a huge role in when the glass will crack. running the defroster, rain, ac, rolling the window down, etc. can all cause the glass to go. you can not fault the company doing the work, yet (in my shop) if it happens on my time, i do take partial responsibility.

 

[Workinstif]

Lot's of good comments. I have my comprehensive insurance policy set at a $500 deductible and unfortunately they can't help me for anything less; I checked with them and didn't say anything about how the windshield cracked. The unnanimous opinion is that I should basically just suck it up so that's how I'll move forward. They did mention getting a new windshield "at cost" and by the sounds of it probably isn't a bad deal and a good faith effort on their behalf as Noah suggested. Thanks again fellas.

 

[Nv Guy]

I don't think the shop has any responsibility, but you would think that they would have known that applying heat to a damaged windshield is a great way to cause a crack. Really, it probably would have cracked this winter once the defroster was turned on.
If it was mine, assuming the crack isn't a safety issue (field of vision), I would run it thru the winter and replace it in the early summer- or whenever they stop sanding the roads or if they do like they do here, stop spreading "gravel".