It happens to all of us sooner or later. Cruising down a sun-drenched
road, enjoying a blend of radio and warm summer air rushing through, when out
of the blue,**CRACK!**, your trance is broken by a rock flung off a dump truck
passing in the opposite lane. It’s a uniquely unpleasant sound, but immediately
identifiable, especially when it leaves behind a spidery stamp of impact.
Insurance
Don’t let it ruin your day! If you have glass coverage on
your vehicle, getting your windshield fixed is a completely painless process.
Call American Glass & Mirror, or another reputable glass company (best to
follow the “Goldie Lock’s Rule” – not too big and not too small to ensure great
service and safe installation) and we will DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR
YOU. If you’re not certain about your policy status, we’ll contact your
insurance company and figure out if you have glass coverage.
Repair or Replace?
The first thing to determine is whether you need to have
your windshield repaired or replaced. Repairs are an especially attractive
option if you have a sizable deductible or lack full coverage. Additionally,
if you are environmentally minded, you might prefer a repair since it greatly
reduces energy waste and the need for windshield disposal. There are two basic
criteria that need to be met in order for a repair to be possible. A) Following industry standards, the chip or crack
cannot be in the driver’s line of vision. Take a piece of printer paper and
hold it up vertically against the windshield at eye-level. If the damage is within this
area, then the windshield will have to be replaced. B) The size of the fracture,
including any cracks extending from the point of impact, should be no larger
than a credit card.
If neither of these concerns apply to you, then you’re free
to have your windshield repaired. Some people still opt for a replacement
because it is not guaranteed that the chip will vanish completely. The resin
injected into the fracture will prevent it from further spreading, but it
doesn't always make the blemish disappear (this can be a problem particularly
with old or complex chips.) That said, most simple fractures clear up nicely or
are only noticeable from certain angles.
Once you’re ready to have your windshield serviced, call
American Glass & Mirror, or another one of the “good guys” (remember your
windshield is an integral part of your vehicle’s safety system, so choose a
company that has sterling reviews, employs certified installers, and uses OEM
parts), and we’ll take your basic information, including: vehicle make, model,
and year, date of damage, etc. – so we’re ready to work with your insurance
company and make the whole process as seamless as possible.
Next posting, we’ll pick up where we left off and walk our
way through the rest of the process, so you can see how non-disruptive
windshield service should be.
