Stone chips in windshield

You haven't seen the commercial; Safelite repair Safelite replace.
Your insurance will probably pay for all the repair call and ask, then go to a reputable shop

I put a lot of highway miles on my car, sharing the road with lots of trucks, and have had more than my share of windshield chips. I've used the repair kits on many occasions and have had very good luck with them. Bear in mind, the crack does not disappear, but the kit keeps the crack from going from a $15 repair to spreading and becoming a replacement at $hundreds +++. Even professional repairs are still visible.

Go to a good glass shop and have it done. Most insurance would rather pay a small repair then a windshield replacement.
I have had many chips repaired on various vehicles. Have been happy with them all. Even getting a windshield replaced at insurance expense costs you money for getting rig to repair glass facility or even having to wait around for installer.
I would even pay the going rate of $35-50 for a chip repair without involving the insurance company.

My understanding is that most if not all insurance companies will cover the entire cost of repairs, without deductible. Much cheaper to repair than replace the windshield. Any auto glass repair shop should be able to do it. Do it now; it doesn't take much for it to increase and cracks to begin, at which time its too late. Shops have told me if it extends beyond quarter size, it can't be repaired.

darsben wrote:
You haven't seen the commercial; Safelite repair Safelite replace.
Your insurance will probably pay for all the repair call and ask, then go to a reputable shop

Actually, Safelite will come to you. Takes less then an hour. They have a vacuum pump that, apparently, sucks resin into the fracture. Over a year of hot Southern California sun and it still looks good.

Repair it or be real careful about putting cold water on a hot windshield or the crack will grow all the way across the windshield. And do it sooner rather then later before it gets dirt in the chip, makes for a better repair.

Just had mine done. The local windshield shop came to my home and I watched him do it. They have a multi suction cup tool with a rubber pallet with a small hole in the center that is compressed down on the chip. They squeeze a small amount of sealant into the hole then force it into the chip with a screw. You could actually see the sealant fill the inside of the chip. They let it set for a little while, remove the tool and scrape and polish the excess sealant from the window. Yes, you can still see the chip but it’s much less noticeable and will not allow moisture to penetrate the chip.

I assumed that if I turned it into my insurance I’d loose my deductable reduction (which has been substantially reduced) so I paid the $65 for the repair.

My brother-in-law has used a similar retailed product to repair chips in his windshields in the past and it seemed to work A-OK.

Dave

I picked up 2 pocks coming down from Alaska and Safelite repaired them in my driveway this morning. An excellent job. If I didn't have them marked, DW would have never found them after repair.

We've had about 8-10 of these repairs over the last 3 coaches and were pleased with them all. Never had a repaired chip crack or deteriorate further and we've had them repaired from Delaware to Alaska to Yuma.

I've had several chips repaired before they had a chance to start cracking.

I was told it was best to get them done as soon as possible so I've gotten them fixed within a week.

I bought a repair kit and did one myself. It didn't come out too good so I let the experts do it.

I had a windshield replaced in our Savana van last year. I asked the technician about those guys at the Malls who repair the rock chips. He said they don't do the best job and actually charge your insurance company. He said that most companies like his will repair chips for free for the life of the window that they installed. He said the glass installers use a much better repair product.