If you’ve ever owned a car or truck, there is a good chance you have sustained a small crack in the windshield at some point. Windshield cracks can occur when any airborne object of some substance collides with the windshield. This can happen while the vehicle is in use or when the car or truck is parked. Fortunately, you do have a couple of options when it comes to windshield repair. You may be able to fix it yourself, but larger cracks need to be repaired by a professional.
Windshield Repair Kits. Windshield crack repair kits can be found in the auto parts department of many retailers like Walmart and Target, as well as more traditional auto parts stores like Pep. You can repair an 18-inch hairline windshield crack instead of replacing the entire windshield. There are crack repair solutions for windshields known as PRISM (pre-resin injection suspension method). This involves some techniques that include the injection of different resins into the windshield crack.
Your first option with windshield crack repair is to seal the crack yourself. This is a viable option if the crack is very small, perhaps no more than an inch or two (around 2.54 to 5.08 cm) in length. You can get everything you need from a local automotive repair store. There are even small kits that are designed for this type of simple windshield repair jobs. Tell the sales associate “I have a crack in my windshield,” and he or she can direct you to the kits that are in stock. Look over each kit carefully, as some require mixing compounds and also give very specific instructions in how to apply the sealing compound.
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That cracked car window won't repair itself, but putting off fixing it could cost you more if the windshield crack spreads.
It can happen out of nowhere. You’re driving along, minding your own business, when you hear the dreaded ping of a rock hitting your windshield.
A cracked windshield can pose a major safety hazard, and the damage can worsen if not repaired quickly.
Safelite AutoGlass rep Melina Metzger said automotive experts rank the windshield as the third most important safety feature behind seatbelts and airbags. Typically, windshields can be repaired unless the crack is larger than a dollar bill, she said.
Ignoring a crack could allow dirt or debris to get inside the pit, which can make it harder to repair. Also, a small crack can grow — and become more expensive to fix — as the window glass expands or contracts in hot or cold temperatures.
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So how much does it cost to fix windshield damage?
That depends on several factors, including the location and size of the crack or chip on your vehicle, as well as the type of car or truck you own.
Repair estimates also can vary greatly depending on which auto glass company you choose. For example, recent windshield repair estimates from three Chicago-area auto glass companies ranged from $70 to $115 to $238 to repair the same nickel-sized windshield chip.
Windshield repair is often completely covered by your auto insurance, Metzger says. But it's best to check your insurance policy's fine print before a pebble ruins your road trip.
Also keep in mind that if your insurance deductible is $250 or $500 and the repair costs less, which it often does, you may pay for the full repair out-of-pocket.
Questions to ask the auto glass repair shop
The non-profit Auto Glass Safety Council recommends asking a few questions before choosing an auto glass repair company to replace or repair your windshield:
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Are you an Auto Glass Safety Council-registered member company?
Do the materials you use meet or exceed all pertinent federal motor vehicle safety standards?
Does your adhesive manufacturer certify you, and who is the manufacturer of the adhesive?
What type of warranty can I expect?
How soon after my glass is repaired or replaced will I be able to use my vehicle?
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Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on March 19, 2015.
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