Broken windshield: repair it or replace it?
No driver is immune to damage that the impact of a rock or debris from the road can cause to their vehicle’s windshield. Contrary to what one might think, this is not something to be taken lightly and often requires repair. Here’s why.
The windshield makes up 70% of the interior of a vehicle, so it’s important to take good care of it. Designed to withstand 180 kg of pressure per square centimetre, its main function is to protect passengers as well as ensure the airbags properly do their job of protecting the vehicle occupants. A small chip in the glass can turn into a crack across the entire length of the surface and require windshield replacement if not repaired quickly. The CAA-Quebec Approuved Auto Repair Services network comprises windshield specialists accros Quebec. Find out what criteria should influence your choice of mechanic.
Windshield: repair it or replace it?
How do you know if you’ll need to replace or repair your vehicle’s broken windshield? First of all, it’s important to assess the nick, crack or chip on your windshield. Is its circumference bigger than a loonie? Is the crack in the ceramic strip or within 3 cm of the visible edge of the windshield? Is it located in the driver’s field of vision? Did it go through the outer layer of the glass? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you’ll likely need to replace the windshield. Once you’ve assessed the severity of the impact, you’ll be able to determine if a simple repair will do the trick. If this is the case, don’t delay: an unrepaired nick is likely to turn into a crack requiring replacement of the windshield. Repair is a simple and affordable solution that can extend the life of your vehicle’s windows.
Repairing a windshield: a simple procedure
Repairing a windshield is quick and requires less than an hour of work. Short on time? Some retailers offer a mobile service that can come to your home or workplace to repair your windshield. Specialists will start by cleaning the windshield to remove the shards of glass and properly prepare the surface. They will then remove the air in the chip and inject a transparent liquid resin that will fill the crack. Lastly, they will polish the area once the resin has dried. The crack will become almost invisible, but the windshield will always be slightly more fragile than one that has never experienced an impact. The price of such a procedure may vary depending on the nature of the damage, but it’s certainly lower than the cost of replacing a windshield.
The price? A question of insurance!
If your car insurance policy includes All Perils Other than Collision and Upset coverage, which is frequently the case, you’ll have no deductible to pay to repair your vehicle’s windshield. In addition, if the windshield can be repaired with resin, the repair won’t affect your insurance premium or have a negative impact on your record. In terms of a windshield replacement, which is much more expensive, a deductible is usually required. That’s why it’s important to avoid putting off small repairs. Otherwise you could end up with a cracked windshield. Here, prevention is very worthwhile!