Chip off the old cop

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Bill - 16 Nov 2007 15:09 GMT

We went to B&Q for a new fitting as she is complaining about the kitchen
being in darkness, and returned along the local motorway.

Pulling up the slip road in the 110, the sound of a police siren became
audible over the mighty roar of the engine and the rattles, and I pulled
over to the extreme right of the slip road to let him or her shoot past
up the hard shoulder with flashing lights blazing.

As he passed there was a very loud bang as a stone from his wheels hit
my windscreen, and there is now what looks from both the inside and
outside like a chip about a half inch in diameter, although both sides
of the screen feel smooth. The chip is in the arc below the swept area
of the tiny wipers.

I've been talked out of going to the local police station, but would
anyone else bother?

On a practical note, is it likely that this chip will grow and cause
trouble in future?

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Bill

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Lee_D - 16 Nov 2007 16:30 GMT

Bill <me@privacy.net> uttered summat worrerz funny about:

> We went to B&Q for a new fitting as she is complaining about the
> kitchen being in darkness, and returned along the local motorway.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> On a practical note, is it likely that this chip will grow and cause
> trouble in future?

As far as the definition of a Road traffic accident is concerned this is an
accident.

You should report it as the other driver didn't stop, reasonably as they are
most likely unaware.

You should have a claim but proving it is another thing.

The Force concerned may be willing to come to an arrangement regardless , if
you don't speak to them you will never know.

Lee D

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Matt M - 16 Nov 2007 17:37 GMT

> You should report it as the other driver didn't stop, reasonably as they are
> most likely unaware.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> The Force concerned may be willing to come to an arrangement regardless , if
> you don't speak to them you will never know.

Don't most insurance policies include windscreen replacement with no
effect on your no claims disc. etc.?

Any damage to the windscreen is liable to get worst given the right (or
wrong!) conditions - so if you can get it sorted for free, then I'd get
it sorted - but if not I wouldn't worry too much about it - personally
I've never seen a windscreen chip do anything other than sit there being
annoying!

I have seen someone (was it Autoglass?) advertising windscreen repair by
injecting a resin into the crack. It was only a few quid if you're that
concerned it may get worse.

Matt

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GbH - 16 Nov 2007 17:47 GMT

>> You should report it as the other driver didn't stop, reasonably as
>> they are most likely unaware.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Matt

Most (Many) insurance companies include that feature on their
comprehensive policies, however, for replacement there is a not
insubstantial excess, £75 on my policy, but it doesn't incura 'claim'
repairs though are without excess, there are limits to what can be
repaired but stone chips usually can but, as in our case, 3" hairline
cracks can't.

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Wisdom and experience come with age, they say, but I wish I could
remember the darn question

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hugh - 16 Nov 2007 18:33 GMT

In message <kxqIG2ImKbPHFwoc@privacy.net>, Bill <me@privacy.net> writes

>We went to B&Q for a new fitting as she is complaining about the
>kitchen being in darkness, and returned along the local motorway.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>On a practical note, is it likely that this chip will grow and cause
>trouble in future?

First chip I had repaired, I took it into a local workshop - I think it
was Autoglass and they did an excellent job - it was virtually
invisible. Subsequent 2 chips have been done by a portable unit from RAC
and they are crap - you wouldn't know it had been done if you hadn't
stood and seen them do it.

Chip repairs are provided free with no impact on your NCD by most
insurers and if so you would have no real grounds for a claim IMHO.

If it's not repairable then normally you will have an excess to pay -
but it really depends on reading the small print.

First step I would say is find out if the chip is repairable and if so
have it done PDQ. If not then a polite approach to local police can do
no harm but talk to your insurers first, they may be able to offer some
guidance

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hugh
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