- Over 11,000,000 windshields are damaged in the U.S. each year but only 10%-12% are actually repaired.
- It is critical that the windshield stay in place when an accident occurs so that the deployed airbag does not exhit the vehicle, greatly decreasing the safety factor.
Do I have to replace my windshield or can it be repaired?
Repair and replacement depend on several key components: size, location, and severity of the crack or chip. Most shops can and will repair chips and cracks from the size of a quarter to one that is three inches long. Damage that is larger usually requires replacement of the entire windshield.
Location of the damage also plays an important role in determining your windshield's fate. When the crack or chip is in the acute area of the windshield (shown below) most shops will ask to get it replaced since the repair process leaves minor distortions in the glass. Some shops prefer to replace the windshield rather than compromise the driver's vision. Cracks spread even more quickly and can compromise the structural integrity of the glass in the 2" perimeter surrounding the edge of the windshield. If caught in time, the cracks can be repaired. In most cases it is usually advisable to replace the windshield. Major impacts or damage from big objects usually require that the windshield be replaced. Safelite Auto Glass is the largest glass repair company in the United States.
Examples of the various types of windshield damage:
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Images courtesy of State Farm Insurance | |||
How much will this cost?
The cost to repair a windshield is pretty standard across the country. Repairing a single rock chip costs around $40-$50 for the first chip, then usually $10 extra for each additional chip. Long-crack specialists typically charge about $70 to repair a six- to twelve-inch windshield crack. Dealers often charge more because they're using an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windshield, a windshield identical to the one that came with the car.
Meanwhile, local automotive glass shops typically use windshields from non-OEM suppliers. This glass is usually less expensive, but offers quality, safety and clarity similar to the more-expensive OEM windshield. Non-OEM glass is required to meet or exceed the same safety standards as OEM glass.
However, all the glass shops surveyed strongly advised that only OEM-recommended sealers and adhesives be used during windshield replacement. Use of inferior quality urethane could result in the windshield leaking or even becoming dislodged on impact.