I awoke today to find that a branch had fallen on my 4Runner and cracked the windshield pretty well. It's beyond repair in my opinion, I'll just have to replace it.

My comprehensive deductible is $500, I'm assuming that's what it would fall under. Although, on my insurance coverage page it shows that I do not have "OEM Replacement" since the vehicle is so old. Even I go the insurance route, it may be useless as I may very well be pointed towards an aftermarket replacement anyways.

I have found that I can go through Safelite and get OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent) for $179.99 installed. That sounds attractive because it is affordable. Through Safelite, OEM is $620.00 more.

It's a 2007 with 123k miles on it. I don't exactly want to spend nearly $1,000 to get the windshield replaced, but theoretically the OEM may be a better product? I've never dealt with this before, who's been here and what should I do?

I will be contacting Nationwide just to see what they say. I haven't had a claim in the seven years I've been with them.

Just an FYI you can get an OEM windowshield for between $500 and $600 depending on which rearview mirror you, the difference is whether you need the electrical connection for the mirror..but that just the online cost and then you'll have shipping and the install cost.

With electrical connection.

Windshield - Toyota (56101-35080 - Bing)

Without electrical connection.

Windshield - Toyota (56101-35110 - Bing)

That is very, very good to know. Do various shops have access to prices cheaper than that? IE, could it be possible to find a shop that would provide that piece installed for say $600?

I would doubt that would be the case, even if a glass shop could get it for less than what is shown on those search results my guess is that they will mark it up to full retail, those prices shown in the search links are already discounted a good bit from full retail by the dealers/vendors.

I,ve had to replace a couple windshields on my 2008 4runner. My insurance splits the cost 50/50, so it cost me $250 and was swapped in my driveway by Safelite. No big deal.

i just replaced the windshield in my 08 sport, went with the OEM equivalent & its a very nice piece made by PPG which is very good quality. done at safelite for under $200.

for all intents & purposes you can not tell its any different from OEM & honestly for a 10+ year old vehicle there is no reason to "need" a OEM windshield at more than 2x the price.... its tempered glass, very close to same thickness, & keeps out the wind.

i say save some money & go with safelite or another glass install shop in your area.

I agree. A windshield can get cracked in a blink of the eye. You can replaced it 2 or 3 times for what the Toyota windshield will cost.