PROVIDER COMPARISON / NEUTRAL
Autoglass vs National Windscreens vs independents.
Three national chains plus Halfords for chip repair, plus a long tail of independent fitters. What each one actually publishes on price, replacement and guarantee.
COMPARISON TABLE
UK windscreen provider comparison.
| Provider | Published chip price | Replacement price | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoglass | £225.98 (no glass cover) | Quote by registration | Lifetime of ownership |
| National Windscreens | from £90 | Quote by registration | Lifetime workmanship |
| Auto Windscreens | Not published | Quote by registration | Lifetime workmanship |
| Halfords | £50 | Not offered | Not stated |
| Independent fitter | Varies | Quote | Varies, get it in writing |
Prices and guarantee terms as published on each provider’s own website, checked October 2026. None of the national chains publishes a replacement price: each quotes by registration because the glass and ADAS work differ by car. Insurance-funded jobs are paid by your insurer; you pay only your glass excess.
Profile, in 60 seconds each.
Autoglass
Market leaderChip £225.98 without glass cover
Trades as Belron UK Limited, part of the Belron group that also owns Safelite in the US. Approved repairer for many UK insurers. Replacement is quoted by registration. Its guarantee covers parts and workmanship for as long as you own the car, but ADAS calibration is only warranted correct at the time it is done. Says it fits glass made to OEM standards, from the car maker or other suppliers.
National Windscreens
Fitting centresChip from £90
Trades as Cary UK Limited. Publishes a single chip repair from £90 and a lifetime guarantee on workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. Replacement, including any ADAS calibration, is confirmed in a quote before work starts. Worth a quote alongside Autoglass on cash work.
Auto Windscreens
80+ UK locationsQuote only
Third national chain, with 80+ UK locations. Does not publish prices: you enter your registration for a quote. States that workmanship is guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle and that glass cover typically includes ADAS calibration.
Halfords
Chip repair only£50 listed
In-store chip repair, booked online. Chips must be under 25mm and are inspected before the repair. Halfords states it can only carry out chip repairs, not windscreen replacement. Good for a quick chip fix when you are near a store.
Independent fitters
Cheapest optionQuote
Independent specialists are often the cheaper path for cash work, but none publishes a standard price. Use myWindscreen.co.uk or Checkatrade to find rated local fitters with reviews. Confirm ADAS capability and ask which glass brand they will use. The very best independents do better work than the chains; the worst should be avoided.
Comparison marketplaces
Booking platformsVaries
myWindscreen.co.uk and similar platforms quote across multiple fitters in your postcode. Useful for cash work because you see real local pricing. Less useful for insurance claims, which usually go through your insurer's own glass helpline.
How to get the best price.
- Get three quotes. Autoglass plus one other national plus one independent. Prices are quoted by registration, so only quotes for the same car are comparable.
- Check insurer routing. Some insurers only cover their preferred network. Going outside it can mean the claim is rejected.
- Confirm ADAS is included. Quote must list calibration as part of the price, not a separate add-on.
- Specify glass type. OEM or OEE (aftermarket). Cars with HUD or acoustic features benefit from OEM.
- Mobile vs workshop. Mobile is fine for non-ADAS jobs. Workshop avoids a second appointment for ADAS.
- Check warranty. Autoglass, National Windscreens and Auto Windscreens all state a lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the car. Independents vary, get it in writing.
FAQ
Is Autoglass worth the extra cost?+
For an insurance-funded job, Autoglass is the approved repairer for many insurers and you pay only your glass excess. For cash work, the one price Autoglass does publish is high: £225.98 for a single chip repair if you have no glass cover, against £50 at Halfords and from £90 at National Windscreens. Autoglass does not publish replacement prices, so if you are paying cash, get a quote from National Windscreens or Auto Windscreens as well and compare like for like, including ADAS calibration.
Can I choose my own fitter on insurance?+
Sometimes. Many UK insurers route claims to a preferred network and will refuse to pay an out-of-network fitter. A few will authorise an independent if you ring the glass helpline first and explain why. OEM-only luxury cars and HUD-equipped vehicles are the most likely cases for authorisation. Always confirm in writing before booking the work.
Do independent fitters use genuine glass?+
Most use OEE (aftermarket) glass that meets the same BS safety standard as OEM. Some specialist independents stock OEM. Always ask which brand of glass the fitter intends to use, whether it includes any heating or sensor features your car has, and whether they will provide a written warranty. Pilkington, Fuyao, AGC and NordGlass are common reputable suppliers.