Rock just hit my windshield on the interstate from a 18 wheeler. what are my options?

So I was on the interstate in the middle lane traveling at a normal speed of 65 and all of a sudden a rock comes flying from the right lane and smacks my windshield. It looks like a pretty big crack slap dab in the middle of my windshield. I got the trucking companies number and the drivers DOT# but wasn't able to get his tag. I do have dash cam footage, but the chances of the company fixing it seem next to none. I can't even get a human on the phone call, always goes straight to voicemail.

What are my options here? My insurance company says it's not covered, and I just have a hard time believing even with dash cam footage the company will fix it. (Not exactly sure if they would be considered liable, but the truck did not have mud flaps, it was an "oversized load" carrying a trailer home with a regular sized truck following behind.

Would one of those repair kits from Walmart fix this or is it too big? It looks like a star with a huge chip in the middle. At least an inch big, probably bigger. Do I have any other options other than outright paying for a new windshield?

Sorry for the crappy pictures, I don't have my ipad with me and this is the best I could get. Thanks guys

 

You could try to repair it with a repair kit that will fill in that chip, or you could call a glass company like safelite and have a full windshield replacement for about $300+

We price checked our rav4 and it was about $320

 

As long as both vehicles are moving it’s covered under State Farm policy but you have to eat the deductible. I’m not sure why it’s written like that but that’s what they told me when it happened to me. Cracks larger than a nickle (what I was told) cannot be repaired or if attempted to repair are not warranteed. This is through my State Farm policy, other ins companies I’m sure have different coverages for these things. Looking at the damage you need to get that window replaced.

 

Oh wow a brand spanking new windshield installed is ~$320? I thought it would be in the $1000 range... I might honestly just go to the scrap yard and find a windshield from my same truck that's free of cracks and try and install it myself. How hard is that for a DIY?

 

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I have liability not full coverage (broke college student just trying to make it through school alive lol, ) and when I called this morning they said it wasn't covered. But I may call again to the head quarters, and see if it gets me somewhere. It's crazy because the fact of the matter the trucker didn't have mud flaps seems like they should automatically be at fault

 

I wouldn't attempt it myself. Back glass? Probably. Side glass? Definitely.

Just avoid Safelite. Call around to your local mom and pop auto glass shops. See what they can do for you pricewise. I'd still be chasing after the company though.

 

I was told to pound sand by a commercial insurer. One of their rock hauling clients sent a tennis ball sized rock at the factory windshield in my Land Cruiser, but since they were "empty" they were not at fault.

Don't try to replace the windshield yourself. It will be +$300 for a brand new windshield with some sort of guarantee by the installer. My local windshield shop came in around $330 for my Tundra. By the time you buy the tools, cleaning supplies, urethane sealant, disposal and time you will have more than $300 into the DIY job.

 

Liability only & my windshield was covered. Took safelite an extra week because i requested american glass.

 

Ah okay good to know. I'm glad I come here and ask questions before doing anything. I won't be doing the scrap yard windshield thing. I might try one of the kits first before commiting to a new windshield, I mean what's the worst that could happen right? It's already pretty screwed up, not like it'll hurt it anymore.
It's going to be a head ache trying to get ahold of this company I know that's for sure.

 

Just out of curiosity, who are you insured with? And it's there anything specifically I should say on the phone about it? I feel like having a dash cam this should be a easy process, but we all know insurance companies are in the business to make money, not lose money.

I think my mistake was calling the local walk in shop instead of corporate. I'll try calling after work & class

 

Is that crack in your line of sight? I'd definitely give one of the repair tricks a try if you want but I'd consider the other option of leaving it alone if that doesn't work out, unless it spreads of course.

Chrisfix windshield repair video LINK

 

I had a photo of the dudes trailer dropping rocks, but all state said it didnt matter & covered the whole thing.

 

Looks like my crack might be a bit to big for that kit, especially since it has the "star" shape where about 4 lines point out . Still might be worth a try, but I'll wait until it's my last option. Would hate to be denied a claim because I messed with it

 

Any cracks from a chip will eventually spread. Stay away from Safelite, and also Fuyao glass in primarily Chinese with a plant in Ohio. Its still cheap quality glass.

 

Sadly it's the only "name brand" you can get for the 1st gens. I haven't seen anyone report any other reputable company on here. Pilkington stopped making glass for the 1st Gen trucks.

That said, I believe there's more than one quality level for Fuyao glass. There's (supposedly) a premium glass they sell. But again, maybe not for our trucks.

 

Get the rain-X windshield repair kit from Walmart for like $14. Follow the instructions and glue that sucker up. Be sure to do the second step of covering the area with the resin and apply the clear film. Then scrape with the razor to remove the excess and rock it (no pun intended) until your ready to replace.

 

I'm definitely worried about it spreading this winter when it starts getting cold. Hopefully that little glass fix kit can do wonders for me but I'm not feeling very hopeful based on how chris fixs crack looked compared to mine

 

That windshield will need replacement. This is a bandaid that may prolong the inevitable. I’ve repaired the windshield on my truck already. Have a longer crack that will need to be replaced to remedy, but it’s not line of sight so I just let it ride.

 

New windshield is probably going to be about $300 since we don’t have any sensors in our windshields. Safelite is fine and they’ll come to you. Lots of other companies out there. Give a few a call and choose whomever has the best rate and good reviews.

I can’t remember the name, but I believe there is a government group that you report this to, maybe under the department of transportation. May not lead anywhere but will at least put a strike on the company’s record and maybe get them in the future

 

I would start by reporting it to the police. They ought to be able to determine who's truck it is by using the DOT number. Then make your claim against the truck's insurance.

 

FUYAO is not american glass - it might be manufactured in the US but its Chinese owned.

The Moraine Ohio location, that is about 10 miles from me was just raided by the FEDS for illegal staffing, money laundering
and other infractions. There was a big news article on how the gate guards would let the workers in, all they had
to do was point to their name printed on a sheet of paper.

Bunch of workers mysteriously stopped showing up one day, then the following day a different batch of about
100 showed up out of nowhere.

 

I just got off the phone with my insurance company and they denied my claim which isn't exactly surprising. But what does surprise me is the fact that they said since I did file a claim that there's a possibility of my insurance rate going up LOL. Wow I can't believe this and now my head is spinning because I simply can't afford my insurance to go up for something that isn't even my f****** fault golly.... This is absolutely insane I can't believe that filing a claim where it's not even my freaking fault is going to possibly make my insurance go up wtf wtf WTF!!!!!!! I feel sick to my stomach

 

That’s a hard no. I would not take a rate increase for inquiring about a non-covered item.

 

I guess I should start shopping around for a new insurance company then huh? Anyone have suggestions on an affordable company for liability.

 

Where you went wrong, @Geezer gave you the correct info/process to follow there ^^

If you file a claim with your insurance company, you pay the deductable.
If you file a claim against the responsible party's insurance, you pay no deductable.

Any time it's possible, if you're not at fault, you should always start a claim with the other party's insurance company to avoid exactly what you just went through.

The othr driver damaged your car. You have proof of how/when/where it happened (you may want to save that ASAP). Go to the precinct closest to where the incident happened and file a report, and if you can have the footage on your phone to show them, and let them get the LP# to run it, you should. I dunno if the PD will give you the name of the insurer on the vehicle, but ... you need to file a claim somehow, so I'd push them on it.

Their insurance company probably ain't gonna do shit if you don't have a police report. With no report, there's no authority involved to hold their feet to the fire.

 

wasnt my expieriance at all. I got a windshield & a $500 check since some of the gravel dinged my hood. I sent em the pic of the truck who was dropping the gravel, but they said it wouldnt change anything. Granted, i went to my adjusters office instead of talking to some call center or automated email.

 

You must have full coverage?

I still am mind blown that my insurance company is trying to penalize me for this. I thought I was doing the right thing and handling it like an adult all for this to happen... My day is ruined, busted windshield and the possibility of increased policy... Insurance companies are the scum of the earth.

I mean the fact of the matter is I have it on dash cam, showing the 18 wheeler with no mud flaps, I wasn't even in the lane behind them, I was in the lane next to them... Oh so sad

 

I’ve only had liability since 2007.

 

Allstate has been good to me several times I had to file claims. (Premium coverage)
Cost, at the moment is 800$/6months for '10 tundar and '13 venza. Two drivers. Insured since before the moon.

It did go up recently. (thank you rodents.)

 

I think safelite can be fine but they definitely don't have to be. The one local to me did a horrendous job when I had my car windshield done. Water leaks, wind noise, poor upper seal reinstall, then tried to play it all off as if it all wasn't a problem. Went back a 3rd time and they pulled the glass back out and admitted they didn't use enough urethane.