A chip or crack in your windscreen is both a safety risk and a WOF failure, and on modern cars the windscreen is tied into driver-assist cameras that need recalibrating. A good auto glass specialist repairs or replaces it properly and handles the insurance side.
We have rounded up five of New Plymouth's most trusted windscreen and auto glass specialists, focused on quality fitting, mobile convenience and insurance handling.
The top 5 windscreen & auto glass in New Plymouth are 1. Tiger Glass, 2. NOVUS Glass Taranaki, 3. Smith&Smith New Plymouth, 4. The Glass Man, 5. Taranaki Windscreens. Below we explain why each made the list, compare them at a glance, and share how to choose.
This featured position sits above the editorial Top 5 and is clearly labelled. It does not influence the rankings below.
Insurance-approved windscreen repair experts, Tiger Glass offer an on-site mobile service across North Taranaki including New Plymouth, Oakura, Inglewood and Waitara.
Based in Waiwhakaiho, NOVUS Glass Taranaki specialise in certified, guaranteed windscreen chip and crack repairs and full replacements.
New Zealand's leading vehicle glass repairer and a preferred insurer supplier, Smith&Smith handle windscreen repair and replacement in New Plymouth with a lifetime workmanship guarantee.
A Spotswood glass specialist, The Glass Man handle chipped windscreen repairs and replacements for private, commercial and industrial customers across Taranaki.
Taranaki Windscreens offer mobile windscreen and automotive glass replacement across Taranaki, backed by over 15 years' experience.
A quick comparison of our Top 5 picks.
| Auto Glass Specialist | Best for |
|---|---|
| Tiger Glass | Mobile insurer windscreen work |
| NOVUS Glass Taranaki | Guaranteed chip and replacement |
| Smith&Smith New Plymouth | Insurance claims and ADAS |
| The Glass Man | Windscreen and commercial glass |
| Taranaki Windscreens | Mobile windscreen replacement |
Independent, editorial, and reviewed regularly.
TopChoice rankings are editorially curated by our New Zealand team and reviewed periodically. We don't host our own reviews. Our shortlists draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside our own research into each auto glass specialist. We weigh up a combination of:
We don't accept payment in exchange for a place in the Top 5. Featured placements are separate and always clearly labelled. Rankings may change over time as businesses evolve.
First, decide whether the damage can be repaired or needs replacement. A small stone chip out of the driver's line of sight can often be repaired quickly and cheaply, while larger cracks usually mean a full windscreen replacement.
If your car has driver-assist features such as lane keeping or auto emergency braking, the windscreen camera must be recalibrated after a replacement. Check that the specialist offers ADAS recalibration, as skipping it can affect those safety systems.
For convenience, many New Plymouth auto glass specialists come to you, and most deal directly with insurers. Confirm the glass quality, any warranty on the fit, and how the insurance excess works before booking.
Small chips, generally smaller than a $2 coin and not in the driver's direct line of sight, can usually be repaired. Longer cracks, or damage at the edge of the glass, normally require a full windscreen replacement.
It can. Cracks or chips in the driver's line of sight, or damage that affects the windscreen's strength, are WOF failure items. Getting a chip fixed early often avoids a bigger replacement and a failed warrant later.
Many comprehensive policies cover windscreen and glass damage, sometimes with a separate or reduced excess. New Plymouth auto glass specialists usually deal with insurers directly and can tell you how your excess applies.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems use a camera mounted on the windscreen. After a replacement, that camera must be recalibrated so features like lane keeping and emergency braking work correctly. If your car has these features, recalibration is essential.
A typical replacement takes one to two hours, plus curing time before you drive, and a bit longer if ADAS recalibration is required. Chip repairs are usually done in under 30 minutes.
Yes. Many New Plymouth specialists offer a mobile service and can replace or repair glass at your home or workplace, weather permitting. Some recalibration work may need to be done in the workshop.
Editorial disclosure: TopChoice is an independent editorial platform. Some pages may include clearly labelled featured placements for additional visibility. Featured placements do not influence rankings within our Top 5 lists.
Get in front of more local drivers and grow your windscreen business with TopChoice.
List Your Business