You’re driving down the road when a large truck passes you, going the other direction. You hear a loud knock against your windshield and realize the truck kicked up a large rock. Now you have a windshield crack zig-zagging across it.
Unfortunately, getting a cracked windshield or chips in the glass is pretty common. Road hazards like rocks or debris mean most drivers will have to deal with a windshield crack or even a broken windshield at some point. It’s a common issue and one to cover when teaching someone to drive. Let’s see what to do if your windshield cracks.
How to Tell If Windshield Damage Needs to Be Repaired Immediately
Your windshield is a precisely engineered, multi-layered piece of laminated safety glass that protects the occupants and may contain critical sensors and antennas. It is a critical component of your car’s structural integrity. A windshield crack may be a minor annoyance or may threaten your safety and require immediate repair.
Get your cracked windshield repaired immediately if the crack:
- Is longer than 6 inches (a dollar bill can’t cover it)
- Obstructs your line of sight
- Is growing or spreading
- Extends halfway or more through the thickness of the glass
- Runs through the outer edge of the windshield
- Allows water, dirt, or debris inside
If you’re wondering what to do if your windshield cracks, the points above will help you determine how urgently you need it repaired.
Is a Cracked Windshield Dangerous?
A cracked windshield can be very hazardous if you’re in an accident. You don’t need to worry about the windshield suddenly shattering because it’s made of laminated safety glass. However, if you were involved in a collision, you would not be completely protected as the crack reduces the windshield’s structural integrity. It may allow the roof to collapse in on you or compromise the airbag’s deployment.
Can You Repair a Cracked Windshield?
Smaller chips or windshield cracks might be repairable without completely replacing the glass. The general rule is that any crack smaller than a dollar bill can be repaired. On the other hand, chips need to be under one inch wide, or about the width of a quarter, and confined to the outer layer of glass to be repaired.
More extensive damage, such as a crack spanning the length of the windshield, will likely require you to replace the entire windshield. This process involves an auto glass repair shop removing your old glass and replacing it with a new panel secured with a special adhesive.
Cost Breakdown for Windshield Repairs and Replacement
In California, repairing a cracked windshield costs between $60 and $150, depending upon the vehicle's make, model, year of manufacture, and location. Depending upon the vehicle, replacing the entire windshield runs between $200 and $2,500. If the windshield incorporates technology like HUD, object sensors, or heating, the replacement cost is at the higher end of the range.
If the windshield crack compromised seals or caused other damage, this can add to the cost of repairs. Most windshield repair companies offer mobile services for an extra charge, which can meet you at home, your office, or even when you’re stuck on the side of the road.
Does Car Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?
Depending on your coverage, your car insurance may cover the cost of fixing or replacing a cracked windshield. Many insurance providers include glass repair or replacement with certain types of coverage. You will likely need to have optional comprehensive coverage for glass damage repair to be covered.
Wawanesa, for example, can help you get your cracked or chipped windshield repaired by a professional if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive auto coverage is an optional coverage that helps cover damage to your vehicle that’s not caused by collisions. In addition to glass repairs, comprehensive coverage usually helps repair damage from theft, vandalism, or weather-related events like a windstorm.
However, even if your insurance policy covers the repairs for a cracked windshield, you may decide to repair it yourself. Your policy’s deductible, claim history, and the potential impact on your premiums should all be considered. Contact your insurance company to determine whether you should file a claim for your broken windshield.
What to Do When Your Windshield Cracks
Windshield damage usually happens while you’re driving. It’s important to know what to do if your windshield suddenly cracks while you’re on the road so you can keep yourself, passengers, and other drivers safe. If you’re driving and a rock or other object hits your windshield, here’s what to do:
- Inspect the Damage
Auto glass is designed to be tough. There’s a good chance an object hitting your windshield won’t cause any damage. Take a quick look across the glass to find any obvious cracks or chips. If you notice damage, find a safe place to pull over and inspect it. Look at the length of any cracks and the depth of chips or cracks — as this could indicate whether the glass is completely compromised. - Determine if You Can Still Drive
The placement of your windshield crack or chip is a critical factor in whether you should continue driving your car. A small chip in the glass on the passenger side of the window may not be noticeable when driving. A long crack right across your line of vision, however, may make it difficult to drive the vehicle safely. If the crack makes it difficult for you to see out, consider contacting roadside assistance for help. - Prevent Further Damage
Even if your windshield’s damage is minor, a crack or chip in the glass can quickly become a bigger problem if you don’t fix it. While waiting to repair or replace the glass, avoid further damage by staying out of extreme temperatures. Just as you shouldn’t store certain objects in a hot car, you should keep a cracked windshield out of extreme heat or cold. Extreme temperatures can cause the window glass to expand or contract. As this happens, the already damaged glass is put under more stress, making a small crack expand into a much larger problem. -
Contact Your Insurance
If you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage, you’ll likely want to contact your insurance company to get your glass fixed. Your claims representative can help you file a claim if you need to or help you through the repair and reimbursement process. -
Repair or Replace the Windsshield
Many windshield glass repair companies provide repair and replacement services right in your driveway. You can also go to a trusted glass repair shop or auto body shop to get your windshield repaired. Depending on the damage, your repair could take a few minutes to over an hour, but even a complete glass replacement doesn’t usually mean a full day in a repair shop.
Cracks and chips in your windshield can range from a small annoyance to a big problem that reduces visibility. Your best option is to fix a cracked windshield as soon as possible. You can help reduce the cost of replacing or repairing your windshield by ensuring your car insurance includes glass coverage. Speak with a Wawanesa agent today to learn more about comprehensive auto coverage and make sure your car is covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to stop a windshield crack from spreading?
There are a few ways to stop windshield cracks from spreading until you can get the glass professionally repaired:
- Fill the crack with superglue or clear nail polish
- Apply a piece of transparent packing tape to the crack
- Use a windshield repair kit
- Avoid dramatic temperature changes
Remember to toss superglue or a roll of tape into your car emergency kit to be able to complete this repair.
Can you drive with a cracked windshield?
You can legally drive in California with a cracked windshield if the damage does not obstruct the driver’s line of sight. However, repairing it before the crack worsens should be a top priority.
Is it OK to leave a crack in your windshield?
If the cracked windshield is damaged in a small area, well away from the driver’s line of sight and the edge of the glass, it’s fine to leave it for a short time. If the crack grows or your area experiences snow or freezing, you’ll need to prioritize its repair. Remember that your airbags may not properly deploy with a damaged windshield.
How likely is a cracked windshield to shatter?
A cracked windshield is more likely to shatter in a collision than an undamaged one. However, you won’t be sprayed with flying glass when it shatters. The windshield’s laminated layer holds the broken pieces of tempered glass to protect the occupants during an accident.
Can you get pulled over for a cracked windshield?
Absolutely. In some states, it’s illegal to drive with a cracked windshield. In California, you may drive with a crack so long as it doesn’t impair the driver’s line of sight. However, a police officer can pull you over to verify that the crack isn’t affecting your driving, and you can be given a ticket requiring that the glass be repaired. If you want to avoid being pulled over, repair or replace your cracked windshield as soon as possible.
