Suddenly, while driving, there is a “click”: a stone has been thrown up and hit the windshield, leaving its mark. “It is never advisable to underestimate a stone chip, no matter how tiny,” says Ludwig Gunkel. The man from Laatzen knows this from experience. He and his competent team have been working as a “window doctor” for around 18 years. In the Rethen industrial estate, at Lüneburger Strasse 16, (telephone (05102) 93 07 93), he is available as a reliable service partner when car windows need to be “treated” or replaced after a stone chip. Before it gets to that point, however, he is happy to give a “first aid” tip: “If you notice a stone chip, pull over immediately and seal the impact area with some adhesive tape.” The deeper meaning behind this: the adhesive tape acts like a plaster to prevent road dirt from getting into the now broken glass pane due to the wind, rain or windshield wipers. This protective measure can possibly prevent the entire window from having to be replaced. A repair by filling the hole with a special resin is then sufficient. “However, if there is already dirt in the crack, the entire window must be replaced,” says Ludwig Gunkel, who is honest, open and transparent with his customers when discussing the effort and costs. In most cases, car insurance covers the cost of a repair, which often takes a maximum of 45 minutes, for minor stone chip damage. This is usually free for customers who have comprehensive insurance. Many insurance companies cover the costs even without an excess.
Exclusive advertisements from the print edition After installing the windshield, the driver assistance systems must be recalibrated Photo: Scheiben Doktor
Mobile: If necessary, the window can even be replaced on site at the customer’s premises. Photo: Scheiben Doktor
“We have windows for all common car models in stock, so we can help quickly,” says Ludwig Gunkel. Only window adhesives of original equipment manufacturer quality are used for installation. Even windows for unusual models and vintage cars can usually be obtained within 24 hours.
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The “window doctor” Ludwig Gunkel also offers a wide range of services in line with his own quality standards, including sealing and finishing new windows and the necessary calibration of the driver assistance systems. This is because the cameras attached to the inside of every windshield for distance warning, lane departure warning or traffic sign recognition must be individually calibrated and thus reset after new installation. If this is not done, they will no longer function correctly.
The free all-round service from the “Window Doctor” in Laatzen-Rethen also includes claims processing with the customer’s insurance company, the provision of a free replacement vehicle if required (except for petrol), the collection of the damaged vehicle from the customer on request and the return transport or, if necessary, even the replacement of the window on site at the customer’s premises.
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For quick and flexible appointment scheduling, Ludwig Gunkel can be reached at:
Window Doctor
Lüneburger Strasse 16
30880 Laatzen
Telephone (0 51 02) 93 07 93
www.scheiben-doktor.de
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