Unusual Shortage Of Windscreens Continues

Wednesday, 2. June 2010

Another consequence of the bad winter last winter has been the resulting shortage of windscreens. It is normally as a result of gritting that the windscreen replacement companies become very busy but this year it has been the poor conditions of our roads that has led to windscreen replacement companies, such as Auto Windscreens, running out of screens. In the past a stone hitting the glass has caused a chip which has been simple enough to repair but there has been a severe increase in chips immediately turning to cracks because of pot holes. Soon after the windscreen has been chipped drivers have hit a pothole turning a chip into a crack. Auto Windscreens have had to increase production by 40% to 600 windscreens per day. If you currently have a chip in your windscreen it may be wise to have it looked at and repaired straight away. In order to avoid the cost of a replacement windscreen many insurers charge no excess if you have your chipped screen repaired rather than replaced, you need to check your policy. On the other hand you are likely to be charged £50 or £75 excess if the windscreen is replaced. By Graham Hill