Hey everyone, I’m curious about your experiences with GEICO and Safelite for windshield replacement. Any tips or recommendations?
I recently had an incident where my 2022 BMW 330i, which I lease, got hit on the freeway and now needs a new windshield. Since it’s a leased vehicle with advanced technology, I preferred using the dealership for the replacement. GEICO approved that, but their labor rate equivalent to using Safelite is only $40 per hour, even though they’re covering the OEM part.
Safelite seems to have mixed reviews. For every positive experience, there’s a negative one where things didn’t go smoothly.
I find this situation frustrating. I pay higher premiums because of the car and my location in California, yet when it comes to covering repairs (which weren’t my fault anyway), it feels like they’re offering bottom-tier payouts without adjusting for what I’ve invested.
I managed to negotiate with a manager in the glass department to double their original offer, but it still feels inadequate. Any advice on how to handle this?
I’d recommend choosing Safelite because they guarantee their work and have replaced many more windshields than a dealer. Dealers often outsource this type of work anyway. Personally, I wouldn’t trust a dealer for windshield replacement. The fact that you’re getting OEM glass is already, positive they typically use aftermarket glass, which also works well.
Safelite is perfectly acceptable, and as mentioned earlier, they provide a guarantee for their work. Regarding what your policy covers, the specifics are outlined in your policy documents.
From what I’ve gathered across several discussions, the general opinion is that they excel in repairs but their performance with replacements can be inconsistent. Many threads are filled with stories of replacements that turned into disasters.
Insurance will only cover the standard rates for labor, not the lowest possible rates. This applies across all insurance companies, not just yours. Your premium doesn’t entitle you to higher reimbursement compared to others based on your car type and location.