There is nothing like avoiding life threatening accidents on the daily commute only to have a rock damage your windshield. Auto windshield replacement can be done in minutes. If the damage can be repaired before it spreads and becomes too severe, the windshield may not have to be replaced. It can be repaired by a professional or the owner can do it themselves. After the deductible is paid the insurance will cover the cost.
Generally automobile windshield chip repair grow into cracks very quickly. Not taking the vehicle in to get it repaired immediately can result in a crack that is too wide to repair.
By having a look, they can decide if you need windshield auto glass replacement or whether an adhesive will do. Smaller cracks are fixed with adhesives that stick to windshields and reinforce the material. They can also let you know how long it will take to fix and how much it will cost you.
Now that you know what can and can't be repaired, there's one more thing to consider. Time!! Many factors like extreme heat or cold and even your air conditioning cooling down the windshield on a hot day can cause the damage to get worse. The longer you wait to repair the damage, it could spread and may turn a repairable situation into a full blown front window repair costing YOU more. Most insurance companies WILL cover a rock chip on the windshield at no cost to you. Speak with your insurance agent to get more information on what they will cover when it comes to windshield damage.
Now you have 3 options. You can pay out of pocket, you can have your insurance company cover the cost, or you can do the repair yourself. The cost out of pocket will vary from $30-$60, depending on the company you chose. Filing with insurance is easy because it is no cost to you, and the auto glass repair company deals with the paperwork. You can also attempt the repair yourself, but if you do not feel comfortable, i would suggest calling a professional. There is a good step by step windshield repair Instructable available, as well as other information online.
If the crack looks exactly the same when completed, it's very likely the technician didn't inject the resin properly. A properly completed repair with cause each area of the damage to disappear from at least from one angle of vision (ex: looking from one side, looking from below, looking from above, etc.).
Not all chips and cracks can be repaired when windshield damage occurs. It is definitely worth the time to have any damage evaluated by a professional to avoid further cracking and damage and eventual replacement.