Cracked windshield on new rental

[BHoch]

On a vacation in west Chester PA. Rented from Avis at the Philly airport. They had a 2025 jeep wrangler Willy’s. So we rented that. Like the drive. Really not much visibility out the back rides nice though. Updated interior is nice. Radio screen is really nice. Only real issue is drove from airport over to west Chester. Checked into hotel then driver downtown parked and met some family for dinner. Back to hotel. Got up next morning. And wondshield has a large crack that started at the top next to the big black box and follows that down and is. Now pointing towards the passenger side. Did not hit anything. Don’t rember seeing it when we parked back at the hotel. So. What a mess. Hopefully I’m not going to be stuck with this bill.

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[Not2Late]

Sometimes a small chip near the edge of the glass can spawn a large crack like you describe when the temperature changes, etc. Look at the very to edge by the black box and see if you can find a divot/chip where a rock or something previously hit.

I had such a chip - at the bottom of the windshield. One cold morning, I turned the defrost on and a big "pop" followed by a large crack appeared right in front of me as I was sitting there.

 

[Texbaz]

Hopefully, you took out the insurance when you rented it. Maybe it covers windshields.

 

[Hootbro]

Unless you can convince them it was a stress crack or somewhat preexisting , they are going to put you on the hook for the damage.

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

It's a $25 charge from Enterprise (same thing happened when we rented a Wrangler from Denver to Moab)

 

[NC_Overland]

It's a $25 charge from Enterprise (same thing happened when we rented a Wrangler from Denver to Moab)

What? That’s not true. It’s a $25 charge if they can fill a rock chip. They file a claim on your insurance if it’s a crack like described and you didn’t buy the damage waiver. I worked for enterprise for four years.

 

[BHoch]

Thanks everyone. I called them to let them know it was cracked. Al this person did was document it. Did not say whether I would own the fix or not at this point. Will let everyone know how this one goes.

 

[NC_Overland]

Thanks everyone. I called them to let them know it was cracked. Al this person did was document it. Did not say whether I would own the fix or not at this point. Will let everyone know how this one goes.

Just know. You’re responsible for it unless by some miracle it was already documented in their system and you never noticed it when picking it up. Unfortunately, that’s just how it works.

 

[BHoch]

Just know. You’re responsible for it unless by some miracle it was already documented in their system and you never noticed it when picking it up. Unfortunately, that’s just how it works.

Thanks. Yeah. What we are expecting. Pain as it only had 300 miles on it when we got it. And it still does not have 400 miles on it. So gonna be a rather expensive rental. Will start with insurance today to see if there is any help there. Otherwise. Going to be a oretty big bill coming through.

 

[Hootbro]

Was there any other notable damage before you took it out on rental? They are not suppose to charge you full replacement costs if they allowed previous rental damage or repairs slide and it is just your rental term it pushed over the edge into replacement territory.

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

What? That’s not true. It’s a $25 charge if they can fill a rock chip. They file a claim on your insurance if it’s a crack like described and you didn’t buy the damage waiver. I worked for enterprise for four years.

Not how it was last year on my trip.

 

[rharr]

Jeeps break windshields as often as you need to change the oil. It is what it is.

Let this be a lesson learned, either your private insurance has glass coverage and can be applied to this incident or if you rent another Jeep or something else with a flat windshield then upgrade to the rental insurance.

 

[NC_Overland]

Not how it was last year on my trip.

Someone F’d up. You got lucky.

 

[Texbaz]

NC overland, I know it's off topic but since you worked for a rental comoqny
Couple years ago I read an article about a rental car company charging for windshield washer fluid, oil, Antifreeze. The customer who was billed was completely caught off gard they billed him like 10 days after the return.

 

[Sweetums]

Sometimes a small chip near the edge of the glass can spawn a large crack like you describe when the temperature changes, etc. Look at the very to edge by the black box and see if you can find a divot/chip where a rock or something previously hit.

I had such a chip - at the bottom of the windshield. One cold morning, I turned the defrost on and a big "pop" followed by a large crack appeared right in front of me as I was sitting there.

I learned a long time ago after losing a windshield like that: Turn on the defroster when the engine is cold and let it warm up slowly as the engine builds heat. Glass doesn't like thermal shocks.

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