200 TQ Windshield - closure

[Kent McLean]

Gentlepeople,

This is a follow-up to my having to replace the windshield
in my '89 200 TQ.

I checked with my insurance agent -- $500 deductible. I 
told her I probably wouldn't be making a claim.

I called 5 glass companies in the Manchester NH USA area.
Prices ranged from a low of $622 to a high of $930. Two 
told me the standard rate was $1911. For a friggin 
windshield. 

I called back the insurance agent to let them know I'd be 
taking advantage of my policy. They gave me a toll free
number to call (CGU). They took some information, asked
me where I wanted it done (Manchester Auto Glass, 
recommended by my local mechanic with whom I used to 
coach baseball; they quoted $725), put me on hold, 
talked to the glass company, then transferred the glass 
company to me to work out when I could have it installed. 
Painless. I'm glad a $1911 windshield didn't cause the 
Insurance Co. to total my car.

I had to leave the car for the day. When I picked it up,
I paid them my $500 deductible. The windshield still
had tape holding the molding in place; has to stay on
for 24-48 hours (depending on temperature) for the
glue to dry. It's a non-Audi windshield, made by LOF 
in Finland.

Since it was near closing time, the guy who replaced 
the windshield was in the office. He told me that 
there was rust under the windshield when he removed 
it. He cleaned it up and applied rust killer before 
installing the windshield. 

Driving home, it seemed like there was no windshield
there. Ah, sweet.

Regards,
Kent McLean
$500 poorer but with a new windshield