I'm getting close to replacing my windshield. I have called a couple local shops and so far the two quotes I received are:

1. $362.15 with the molding, $289.17 without the molding
2. $313.13 with the molding.
3. $302.58
4. $275.00



These prices seem high. Are they?

And should I get new molding?

I don't feel like I can file an insurance claim since I bought this with the cracked windshield. But maybe it's normal to do so anyway?

 

Four quotes gives a good idea of normal.

Filing a claim as suggested is insurance fraud, very unethical, and illegal. Doing so is ripping off all the insurance customers.

You bought it with busted glass, the purchase price you paid should reflect that damage, so man up and pay for it, dont be a rotten crook.

Also check on the glass quality, some is poor fit, some maybe tinted, some not, some may have a dark sun shield strip of tint at the tops, some not.

Quality of workmanship is another issue. If installer uses a metal tool to remove gasket, the paint maybe scratched, exposing the body to rust, even if the nicked paint is hidden by the trim. Thus you may years down the road be dealing with rust bubbles forming around the glass. You may even have pre existing rust hidden under glass and trim that should be dealt with after old glass is removed, but before new glass is installed.

I removed my glass, cleaned the window channel, sanded to remove any specks of rust and painted bare areas with a tough epoxy paint, then gave it a few days to cure before having the glass guy come out to do the install. Mine was an insurance job, I took a fist sized rock hit on the freeway, showered me with shards of glass, Yikes! That rock came right at my lovely face, but it did not fully penetrate the glass, else my movie star looks might have been lost to the detriment of all of womankind.