Should I Fix It?

While that rock chip in your windshield may be annoying, did you know it can be extremely damaging and costly to repair if you wait to fix it? A tiny rock chip or crack in your windshield can turn into a long crack and require total windshield repair. It’s much more affordable to get windshield chip repair as soon as possible to avoid more expense than you can afford.

If that rock chip grows and impairs your view out the windshield, you may have to pay a fine, as it is illegal to have anything, including a sizeable rock chip, obstruct your view.

Common Windshield Chip Repair Excuses

Some of the most common excuses for putting off fixing that chip include:

• It’s just superficial; I can live with it.
• I don’t have the money right now.
• I’m too busy to take my car and not have it while they repair it.

Fortunately, there is a way to get around all of these challenges:

In reality, windshield chip repair isn't just cosmetic; it can be damaging and make your car’s value go down. You can get most rock chips repaired for less than $75 at a reputable windshield repair company.

Keep in mind that the longer you wait to repair your windshield chip, the greater the risk of the chip turning into a crack. With temperatures and the vibrations your car experiences while driving, that chip is in danger every day.If money is your excuse for not repairing the windshield, think again. Windshield repair is up to 80 percent cheaper than replacing a windshield, or even free, plus it’s more environmentally friendly. Automobile windshields can’t be recycled, so they just sit in landfills taking up space. Most mobile windshield repair companies also guarantee the work on your chip, so you know that it won’t cost you more money down the road.

Keep in mind that windshield chip repair is ideal for rock chips that are the size of a quarter or smaller. If it is bigger than this, you may need a windshield replacement . Keep reading to find out if you do need a new windshield.

Your vehicle's windshield is responsible for not only making driving easier, but for keeping you and your passengers safe. That's why those minor windshield cracks and chips caused by flying debris can be such a problem: unless you're a windshield glass repair expert, how do you know if your damage is a potential threat or merely an inconvenience?

Before you decide between windshield chip repair and complete windshield replacement, make sure you understand the differences and what it means for your – and your family's – safety.

Line of Vision

Windshield damage in the driver's line of vision is always more complicated than windshield chips or cracks located elsewhere. Although most windshield repair techniques match the light reflecting capabilities of the glass as much as possible, there is still a chance that you won't get 100 percent visual clarity – particularly if you live in a sunny area, where the light plays a big role in how well you can see and drive. In some cases, windshield repair might restore the structural integrity of the glass and make the vehicle look better, but windshield replacement will actually return your car to its original level of safety.

Size of Windshield Damage

In most cases, any chip or crack larger in size than a quarter is potentially sacrificing your vehicle's structural integrity. While it may be possible to do windshield chip or crack repair for damages of twice this size, it's not always a good idea. Because the windshield protects you in rollover accidents and in passenger airbag deployment, windshield replacement is a safer, more secure alternative.

Placement of Windshield Damage

Due to the tools windshield repair technicians use, chips and cracks located to close to the edge of the windshield may be ineligible for simple chip repair. In most cases, most damage located less than three inches from the edge of the windshield should be fixed through entire windshield replacement. Companies that promise results on large cracks or cracks near the windshield's edge might not be giving you the full truth.

Ask for Professional Advice

If you're unsure if your vehicle's damage is bad enough to require windshield replacement, or if you are uncertain which type of repair is best for you, be sure to talk with a technician you trust. Most auto glass professionals can make an assessment based on pictures or even a description, and offer quotes free of charge. This should give you a better idea of what to expect from your windshield repair experience.