1/29/08

You may think it isn't worth it to have a single chip in your car's windshield replaced, but your insurance company disagrees. Because repairing a chip when it happens can often prevent further damage, some insurance companies even waive the deductible when clients contact them to have a windshield chip repaired.

The key to choosing repair over replacement is to know when it is a viable option. Generally, if the chip or crack is small and not located in the driver's direct field of vision, and you handle it shortly after it occurs, repairing it will suffice.

The actual process of windshield repair involves having the damaged area of the glass completely cleaned of all dirt and moisture. Then, a clear, strong resin compound is injected into the chip or crack. The resin bonds with the glass, and arrests further damage. In most cases, once the resin is dry the chip is barely noticeable, except for a slight distortion in the surface of the windshield.

A chip from a pebble may seem like something too minor to bother your insurance with, but it's far better that you have it repaired, rather than costing your insurance company - or YOU - an entire new windshield.