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Spoiler alert: Not all cracked windshield repair jobs are created equal.
A tiny chip isn’t the same thing as a spiderweb fracture—and your wallet will thank you when you know the difference.
Here’s the problem. Most drivers don’t understand what type of damage they’re dealing with before contacting a shop. So they agree to pay hundreds of dollars for windshield replacement when a simple cracked windshield repair would have done the trick.
Assessing auto glass damage is simpler than you think. When you know the difference before calling for help, you’re already halfway there.
Here’s What We’ll Cover:
- Types of Auto Glass Damage
- Auto Glass Repair vs. Replacement
- Damaged Windshield Assessment Step By Step
- When To Repair ASAP – and When You Have Time
Types of Auto Glass Damage
Before picking up the phone and calling a shop, it helps to know what you’re actually dealing with. Windshield damage comes in three general varieties:
Chip is usually small, localized damage less than an inch across. Chips don’t always have a visible crack line either.
Cracks run across the windshield in a straight line. Cracks can be two inches or two feet long. Either way, the longer the crack, the worse it is.
Shatters are large areas of cracks affecting most of the glass. Usually caused by a major impact. Shatters require replacement.
Got it? Knowing the difference isn’t enough though. You also have to know where the damage is located to understand your options.
Auto Glass Repair vs. Replacement
Here’s what most glass shops won’t tell you up front. You can repair most damaged windshields instead of replacing them. Shockingly, 14% of windshields in the United States have a long crack. But many of them are perfectly repairable, if you find the right technician.
Rules of thumb?
Anything chip-sized or crack-length that’s under a certain size is typically repairable. Bigger than that, and odds are you need to replace the windshield. If the damage is in your direct line of sight, you should replace it. Damage on the edge of the windshield? Replace.
Does where the damage is located matter? Absolutely.
Take two chips, for example. One is directly in the driver’s line of vision—but is under a quarter-inch. The other is bigger, but in the corner out of the way. Guess which chip is more annoying? Drivers tend to let the small chip grow, only to find out it needs replacement down the road.
(Note: Windshield claims are the number one reason Americans file auto insurance claims. If you’re paying out of pocket, double check your comprehensive plan—it may still apply.)
Damaged Windshield Assessment Step By Step
Let’s walk through this one step at a time. Here’s how to assess any chip or crack before getting a quote.
Step 1: Clean It Off
If there’s dirt or debris inside the damage, it’s harder to see how bad things are—and it’s harder for shops to fix later. Take a dry cloth and wipe away debris around the damaged area. Don’t press too hard into the chip or crack.
Step 2: Measure the Damage
Grab a ruler. Or use a coin if that’s all that’s available. Quarter size or smaller is a great start. If there’s a crack, measure the full length. Cracks under 3 inches are good candidates for cracked windshield repair.
Step 3: Inspect the Location
Ask these questions:
- Is the damage in your line of sight?
- Does the damage extend all the way to the edge?
- Are there multiple cracks stemming from one point?
- Did the damage occur near sensors, cameras or ADAS features?
If the answer is yes to any of the above, odds are a professional will recommend replacement. Anything in your line of sight or blocking a feature is a no-go for drivers. Windshield damage at the edge of the glass is also troublesome. Structural integrity has been compromised.
Step 4: Apply Light Pressure
Gently press around the chip or crack with a fingernail. Does the glass give at all? Is there any movement in the windshield itself? If so, the damage is too deep to repair. Structural integrity has been compromised. That means full replacement only.
Step 5: Consider How Long the Damage Has Been There
Most people don’t realize just how important this step is. The longer damage remains untreated, the worse it gets. Tiny chips and cracks let in dirt and debris over time. It might not even be noticeable when it happens.
Three-quarters of vehicle owners who attempted DIY windshield repair were unhappy with their repair. They either waited too long—and the damage got worse. Or they simply weren’t capable of doing the job right. Trust a professional to assess damage early.
When To Repair ASAP–and When You Have Time
If you see damage, get it taken care of as soon as possible.
Worth repeating.
When damage to auto glass is noticed—get it repaired right the first time. That being said, some damage is worse than others. Cracks that are spreading clearly need to be addressed. Swirling cracks are another dead giveaway. If a cracked windshield repair is obstructing your view at all—get it fixed. Damage near the windshield’s sensors? Get it replaced.
Some damage is okay to hold off on for a short period of time. Small chips (less than half an inch) that aren’t in the way? As long as the chip isn’t spreading and no drastic temperature changes have occurred, there’s likely a short window.
Temperature changes are a biggie. Cold weather can cause cracks to expand and spread quickly. Do not ignore cracks that are spreading.
Even corner chips should be assessed by a professional as soon as possible. They might be tiny and innocent now. But a short drive could turn that little chip into a large crack.
Before Calling: The Final Checklist
Use this quick reference before calling an auto glass shop:
- Type of damage? Chip? Crack? Shatter?
- Size? How big is it?
- Location? Front, back, passenger or driver’s side?
- How long has it been there?
- Is the damage spreading?
Knowing the damage details will make any conversation with a technician that much easier. The back-and-forth guessing game gets skipped entirely. And there’s no way a mechanic can recommend unneeded repairs when the details are already known.
Remember: Most auto glass damage isn’t as bad as it looks. Unless the damage is assessed properly, there’s no way to know for sure.
