If you've noticed a crack or chip in your windshield, you may not think it's a big deal. However, even small chips can affect your driving and the safety of your car. Check out these three reasons you should get your damaged windshield repaired fast.
A Damaged Windshield Is a Vulnerability to Your Safety
Your car's windshield is a major safety feature on your car, and not just because it prevents bugs, rain and small debris from entering your car as you drive. It adds structural integrity to the car. While normal glass would typically do the opposite of this, your windshield isn't normal glass. It's tempered glass, which alone is strong. However, your windshield also has a sheet of resin between the two pieces of tempered glass. Thanks to the resin, if the windshield is shattered, the resin holds them together, so they don't fly into the car.
When your windshield develops a crack or chip, it affects the integrity of the windshield's strength. This is particularly a problem when the resin sheet between the glass panels is damaged. This doesn't just mean the windshield is more likely to break in an accident. It also means the window may not stay together if broken, allowing flying glass to hit passengers or even worse, allowing passengers to be tossed through the windshield.
Not All Types of Damage Require Total Windshield Replacement
As soon as you spot a crack or chip in your windshield, you should start planning on getting it repaired. Luckily, if the damage is small, you might not need to actually replace your entire windshield. Liquid resin is injected into the chip or crack. When it hardens, it's as if the crack was never there, and the windshield is strong again. The great thing about these small chips is that they only cost between $10 and $150 to repair.
Unfortunately, not all damage can be repaired, and your only option may be to replace the windshield. The first factor to determine if damage can be repaired is the size. Chips should not be bigger than one inch in diameter, and cracks should not be longer than three inches if you are planning on repairing. The other factor is the location of the damage. If the damage is in your direct line of vision while driving, a repair may affect the quality of your visibility.
Your State May Have Laws Regarding Windshield Damage
Besides your own safety, you should consider the laws in your state because you may be breaking the law by driving with a damaged windshield. Laws, however, vary from state to state, and it may also depend on the size and location of the damage. For example, in some states, it is legal to drive with a crack in your windshield, but only if it is not in your direct line of vision.
Some people may be lucky and have their auto insurance pay for a new windshield, but depending on the amount of your deductible, you may end up paying for it out of pocket anyway. It costs about $100 to $400 to replace a windshield, which may be lower than your deductible. If this is the case, it's time to check your state laws again. In states like Florida and Kentucky, it's legally required to waive your deductible for a broken windshield.
If your windshield has been damaged, you could be at risk because you're car isn't as safe anymore. Don't put your life and the lives of your loves ones in danger, when the solution is so simply. Contact a local windshield repair technician today. You can also click here for more information.
