If a flying rock on the highway just left a crack across your windshield, you’re probably looking at replacement options. When you call an auto glass shop in BC, one of the first questions you’ll face is: Should you replace it with OEM or Aftermarket glass?
It sounds simple, but there’s a lot of confusion around what these terms mean, whether aftermarket glass is safe, and how much ICBC will actually cover.
Here is a straightforward breakdown of how auto glass works, why OEM and aftermarket aren’t as different as most people think, and how to navigate an ICBC glass claim without unexpected bills.
1. What’s the Difference Between OEM, and Aftermarket Glass?
To understand your choices, it helps to know the three main types of replacement glass on the market:
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- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): This is glass made by the factory supplier that built the original windshield for your car brand (like Toyota, Ford, or Honda). It comes with the carmaker’s official logo stamped in the corner and is sold through dealership networks. Because of the brand name markup, it carries the highest price tag.
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- OEE (Original Equipment Equivalent) or Aftermarket: This glass is made by major glass companies (like Pilkington, Saint-Gobain, PGW, Fuyao, …)—often the exact same companies that build OEM glass. It follows the same engineering blueprints, glass thickness, and safety specs as factory glass. The only real difference? It doesn’t have the car brand’s logo stamped on it.
2. The Big Secret: OEM and Aftermarket Are Often Made in the Same Factory
Many drivers assume OEM glass is made in an official car factory, but car manufacturers don’t actually make their own glass. They hire specialized global glass companies to manufacture it for them.
These major glass factories run production lines that pump out thousands of windshields every day. They stamp the car brand’s logo on a portion of the run (OEM), and then run the rest through the exact same line without the logo to sell directly to glass repair shops (OEE/Aftermarket).
In fact, glass technicians frequently pull an “OEM” windshield out of a box and find it came off the exact same assembly line as their aftermarket stock. You’re essentially paying extra for a small stamped logo in the bottom corner.
3. Myth vs. Fact: Is OEM Glass Safer or Stronger?
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- The Myth: Aftermarket glass is cheap, weak, and dangerous.
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- The Reality: Every windshield sold in Canada—whether OEM or aftermarket—must meet strict safety standards set by Transport Canada and federal regulators.
Your windshield isn’t just a piece of glass; it provides structural support during a rollover and acts as a backstop for passenger airbags. High-quality aftermarket glass uses the same laminated safety glass technology and meets the exact same structural standards as factory glass.
4. How ICBC Windshield Claims Work in BC
If you have ICBC Comprehensive coverage on your policy, here is how the rules work for repairs and replacements:
Free Chip Repairs (No Deductible)
If your windshield has a rock chip smaller than a loonie and it isn’t directly in the driver’s primary line of sight, ICBC covers the repair 100% with zero deductible. Getting chips fixed quickly keeps them from spreading into full cracks, and making a chip repair claim won’t raise your insurance rates.
Full Windshield Replacements
If the crack is too long to repair, you’ll need a full replacement:
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- Standard Coverage: ICBC automatically approves and covers OEM-spec aftermarket glass.
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- When ICBC Pays for OEM: If your vehicle is brand new and you have OEM coverage with ICBC (New Vehicle Replacement plus (optional policy, Division 9)), or secondary insurance (Optiom, Family, Mode,..), or if there is no aftermarket glass available for your specific model, ICBC will authorize factory OEM glass.
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- If You Request OEM Glass Anyway: You can ask for OEM glass on an older vehicle, but ICBC will only cover the cost of the aftermarket equivalent. You’ll have to pay your standard deductible (usually $200, $500 or more) plus the price difference out of pocket.
5. Modern Cars and Camera Calibration (ADAS)
If your car has modern safety features like lane-keep assist, forward collision warnings, or automatic braking, there’s a camera mounted behind your rearview mirror looking through the windshield.
When you replace the glass, that camera must be recalibrated so your safety features work correctly. Reputable ICBC-approved glass shops handle both the glass replacement and the camera calibration under your claim. High-quality OEE or OEM glass ensures the camera gets a clear, distortion-free view of the road.
Which Glass Should You Choose?
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- Choose Aftermarket / OEE if you want the best value. You get factory-level fit, clarity, and safety without paying extra fees on top of your ICBC deductible.
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- Choose OEM if your car is new and have OEM coverage, if you’re returning a leased vehicle that requires brand-name parts, or if you simply prefer having the original car logo in the corner.
Whatever you choose, make sure to bring your car to an ICBC-approved facility.
Hassle-Free Glass Repairs at Avenue Auto Glass
As an ICBC-approved facility, Avenue Auto Glass processes your claim directly with ICBC. You don’t have to spend hours on the phone, simply bring your vehicle to us, and we’ll handle the paperwork, and get you back on the road safely.
Got a rock chip or a cracked windshield? —contact Avenue Auto Glass today for fast, ICBC-approved windshield repair and replacement. Call us, visit our location, or book online for the most professional service in the city.
Avenue Auto Glass – See Clearly. Drive Confidently.
Your trusted auto glass experts in Vancouver.