auto insurance autoglass glass gravel rocks Windshield Chip Repair windshield repair
Is Repairing a Chipped Windshield Better Than Replacing It?
You’re driving along a busy road when all of a sudden—Whack!—a rock hits your windshield, sending a spider web-like crack through the center of it. With all of your other expenses, the last thing you need is the cost of replacing your windshield. Fortunately, you might not have to replace it. AGD Auto Class & Tint Co. offers chip repair for a fraction of the price of what it would cost to replace your windshield entirely. If your crack qualifies, they can safely repair the damage and get you back on the road in no time.
Repair Vs. Replace
Depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle, replacing a windshield can run you anywhere from $500 to $1,300—roughly the cost of a single to multiple car payments. Most windshield repairs, however, do not cost more than $100; oftentimes, a chip repair can be as little as $40. Better yet, most glass repair shops come directly to you so you don’t have to worry about driving around with a cracked windshield and risking a ticket.
Another reason that repairing a crack is almost always better than replacing an entire windshield is that your windshield is OEM (original equipment manufacturer). This means that it is made of the highest quality material and is intended to keep you safe in an accident or from road debris (such as the rock that hit you). When shopping replacement windshields, you need to be careful about whom you buy from and what materials they use, as a poorly manufactured windshield can end up costing you more in the long run.
Insurance Concerns
While most automotive insurance companies cover the cost of windshield damage, how they treat repairs versus how they treat replacements is different. Because the cost to replace a windshield is significantly more than a repair, your insurance company may ask you to pay the deductible before they’ll foot the bill. However, if you opt to repair your windshield instead, the company may waive the deductible entirely and pay for the entire fix.
The Repair Process
You might be wondering if a repair is safe, and the answer is yes. The repair process involves inserting a resin into the damaged areas with a tool specifically designed to suction to the glass so as to negate the possibility of air pockets. Once the resin is put in place, it is healed and then refined to restore the clarity and strength of the glass.
A proper repair can effectively stop damage from spreading and can make your windshield look like new again. If your windshield was recently damaged, look into chip repair from a reputable glass company, such as AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.
