A sudden blow from a rock or other road debris can damage your windshield repair, causing a small chip or crack. It’s important to have this damage repaired promptly as it can affect your ability to drive safely and see clearly. Many insurance companies cover this service, minimizing the cost to you.

The first step is determining whether you can have your windshield repaired or need to replace it. This is typically a case-by-case decision but a few factors can help you decide.

Ensuring Safety with Professional Windshield Replacement

Size of the Damage

As a general rule, chips or cracks less than an inch in length can be repaired. It’s also important to consider how deep the damage is. The windshield is essentially a glass sandwich with an outer layer, a plastic interlayer, and another inner glass layer. If a crack or chip penetrates any of these layers, it’s likely too deep to repair and needs to be replaced.

Location of the Damage

The position of the damage can have a big impact on whether you can have it repaired or not. If the damage is in the driver’s line of sight, even a repair may distort visibility and make driving risky. Similarly, if the damage is near the edge of the windshield, it may weaken its structural integrity.

If you’re unsure whether the damage can be repaired, try performing a coin test. Place a coin at the center of the hit mark to determine if the crack extends beyond it. Edge cracks that reach the windshield’s edge can often be repaired using standard resin, but if they extend beyond the edge, it is recommended to have the windshield replaced.