3 Considerations for Rock Chip Windshield Repair

At some point, every driver or car owner will encounter that cringe-inducing sensation when—thwack!—a piece of rock or gravel flies up from the highway and a distinct chip or two blossoms upon the surface of your windshield.  You might be wondering about the windshield chip repair price and thinking to yourself— what’s the next step? Is the windshield chip too small to repair? Will fixing this require a full windshield replacement? And if so, would you be better off attempting to get by with it for as long as you can?

How to Repair Rock Chip in Windshield — the Basics

It should give you some relief to know that, depending on the severity of the damage (are we looking at a knick, a chip, or a full-fledged crack?), you likely won’t need an entirely new windshield. Experienced repair professionals can typically take care of cracks as large as six inches. But you’ll want to reach out to a repair shop right away. Not only can they clarify the cost of windshield chip repair specific to your situation, but they can also ultimately save you money by preventing the damage from worsening.

In so many instances, those chips that seem static and fixed are actually gradually in the process of enlarging and expanding, and any outside pressure or disturbance only aggregates them. Think about weather changes — particularly harsh snow or hail. Consider the inevitable expansion and contraction brought on by heating and cooling, or the instability of driving your car over an uneven road surface.. All of this contributes to the vulnerability of the chip.

Because of this, an active chip in your windshield, however slight, also poses an added risk to passengers. Your windshield serves as a crucial component to the structural integrity of your car, and the results of any accident will only be exacerbated by a damaged windshield. Windshields also play a critical role during airbag deployment.

In most cases, you won’t want to bother with those do-it-yourself windshield repair kits. Odds are, if you’re not a trained professional yourself, you won’t have much luck attempting to fill in the tiny cracks with resin, and you don’t want to make the job harder for the technician who will eventually be tasked with making the repair.

The bottom line is this: get into a repair shop as quickly as possible. Then, once you’re there, here are some things to consider.

1.    Learn Whether Your Auto Insurance Covers Windshield Repair

Your windshield chip repair cost might not break the bank – but you want to check and see if it’s covered under your insurance policy. Many insurance providers recognize windshield repair as preventative maintenance and will foot the bill for chips or cracks in order to avoid more costly repairs down the road. In severe instances, glass repair coverage often covers the replacement of an entire windshield when you pay your deductible.

2.    Keep an Eye out for Scams

It might seem like a bizarre ruse, but windshield repair scammers have been known to lurk around gas stations, car washes, and convenience stores with alleged rebates and other strange offers in an attempt to get your car insurance information. Never give out those details until you’re dealing with a vetted professional and you’re fully prepared to file your claim.

3.    Communicate Clearly With the Windshield Repair Shop

Beyond asking about the cost to repair a chipped windshield, you want to check and make sure that the technicians at the vehicle glass shop can show you their certifications. You want to know that you’re dealing with people trained in this procedure. You also want to ask how long you should expect to wait before driving after the repair is complete. Most often, you’ll be able to drive immediately, but some weather scenarios and installation materials may require a wait time. Lastly, you’ll want to ask whether they provide a warranty on their repair work.

In the grand scheme of things, you know that windshield chips are a minor setback. But you can make it even less of a concern by taking care of it quickly, familiarizing yourself with your insurance policy, and ensuring you link up with repair personnel who have your best interests and are certified and equipped to handle the work at hand.