No More Chips and Cracks
Now! Windshield Chip Repairs Are Only $45 Plus Tax
What does it Cost To Fix A Windshield Crack?
If a crack does develop before you have a chance to fix the windshield chip, you will likely have to take your vehicle to an auto glass specialist. The cost to fix a windshield crack will likely be between approximately $45 and $65 if the crack is three inches or less. These same businesses will also repair chips for around the same cost, with each additional chip repair costing an extra $45. However, for longer cracks (such as those between six and 9 inches), you could be charged $65-110. With any cracks that are much longer, you could be looking at windshield replacement. Remember, the key to cutting costs is catching the problem before it gets out of hand. Small dings and cracks are relatively inexpensive to repair. But these chips and cracks can rapidly escalate into expensive situations. As such, it is always best to take care of these problems as soon as you become
aware of them.
Q: Should I Use My Insurance?
A: 90% of all Insurance companys pre include Windshield chip repair with a $0 deductable. They will fix up to 3 at a time at No cost to you. They put this in your policy so you wont have to replace it.
Q: Who pays? And how do you know when to repair or replace a damaged windshield?
A: Rock chips and cracks often occur when rocks and other debris are kicked up by other motorists. Without being able to prove the exact culprit, you're stuck paying for the damage. Insurance companies often prefer that you fix rather than replace your windshield, and many will cover the cost in full if you carry comprehensive coverage. If you're not sure what kind of coverage you have, check with your insurance agent.
How do you know when to repair or replace? It depends on the extent of the damage and its location.
"If the crack is over 6 inches, it's probably a good idea to replace it," said Tim Smith, general manager of Safelite, a national glass provider. You could still repair cracks longer than 6 inches, he said, but there could be problems.
Also, small chips in the line of vision can be repaired, but the repair could be distracting to the driver. And a chip bigger than a quarter is difficult to fill, he said.
What happens in such cases, "You cannot accurately identify the person responsible for it unless you have a witness who sees debris fly off or out of the vehicle," said Patrick LePley, a Bellevue attorney specializing in insurance issues.
If you carry comprehensive coverage that covers glass damage, most insurance companies will waive the deductible if you repair rather than replace the glass, said Darrin Sanger, spokesman with the NW Insurance Council.
If you choose to replace the windshield, however, the deductible typically will apply. Repairing rock chips often won't count as an insurance claim,”
he added.
Geico and Progressive will allow a repair at no cost to policyholders who carry comprehensive coverage, according to their Web sites.
If a windshield can be repaired, then Pemco also will waive the deductible on glass repairs, Pemco spokesman Jon Osterberg said.
"We encourage people to repair rather than replace windshields whenever possible," Osterberg said. It's less costly and less time-consuming for everyone involved, and "you're better off retaining the factory windshield seal whenever possible."
If you only carry liability insurance -- which covers damages to other vehicles -- auto glass services are not covered under your liability policy.
Not all insurance companies waive the deductible for repairs, so check before you proceed.
In late 2005, State Farm, the largest auto insurer in the state and country, stopped waiving deductibles for glass repairs, said Becky Baltimore, a spokeswoman for State Farm.
How can one tell whether to repair a crack or replace the windshield?
Windshields do more than keep wind, water and bugs out. They're a critical safety device, much like air bags and seat belts, and often play a role in how air bags are deployed, according to AAA. The windshield and the rear window also support the roof of your car in the event of a rollover.
Damage within the driver's line of vision is considered a safety hazard, according to AAA. Cracks that run to the edge of the glass should be fixed quickly because moisture can seep in and cause rusting. A small chip or crack will usually worsen over time.
Advantages of Windshield Repair vs. Auto Glass Replacement
• Windshield Repair is very convenient and preserves the integrity of the original factory seal: Your auto glass is never removed!
• Windshield Repair saves money. The price to repair is a fraction of the cost of replacement.
• Windshield Repair saves time. It takes about 15-30 minutes compared to a possible 2-hour time frame for replacement.
• Windshield Repair is earth-friendly and reduces the enormous amount of replaced windshields thrown away in landfills each year.
• The purpose of windshield rock chip crack repair is to restore the integrity to the auto glass. Windshield repair usually improves the optical clarity of the damaged area. After a repair is completed, the appearance of the broken area improves, but it does not disappear from sight. There is always some scarring where the break was filled and it usually can be seen by looking at the glass and focusing on the repaired area. Windshield Repair usually improves the appearance of the damage up to 90%.