Car inspections and windshield cracks-UPDATE!

[princesspumpkin]

Does anyone know anything about vehicle inspections and cracks on the front windshield? My car is up for inspection and we have a fairly large crack on the passenger side of the front windshield. It's only on one side and doesn't affect the driver's side at all. DH says that because it doesn't affect that side, it should pass. I think he's If I don't have to, I don't want to buy a new windshield right now. But I also don't want to look like a fool and go to the DMV for them to say "What made you think that you would pass inspection with this crack?" Anybody had this type of experience?

 

[Christine]

If the crack goes into the portion of the window where the wipers pass over, then it will not pass (at least not where I live). I don't think it matters what side it is on.

 

[wfloyd]

There used to be a "drivers box" that cracks couldn't pass into for some states. This area was about an inch from the top, bottom and left side went to about the middle of the windshield.

Granted this was a few years ago and standards have been changed for most things.

You might check with your insurance company and there might not be any charge for replacing the windshield. This happened to us last year and we got a new windshield and paid nothing.

 

[bballmom56]

In New Jersey, it will not pass. It doesn't matter where it is or how big it is, it will not pass.

 

[Griggle]

In New Jersey, it will not pass. It doesn't matter where it is or how big it is, it will not pass.

Yeah That!

I remember my dad had a scratch across the passenger side from a stone getting caught under the wiper and he failed. He drove around for the longest time with his failed sticker covered by "a flier" or a leaf....

In a case of the apple and the tree.....I had a "ding" in mine and needed to go thru inspection....Although it hadn't cracked and spread, I knew I wasn't going to pass, and I couldn't afford the replacement just yet. So, I dripped some white out on it to make it look like bird droppings.....and passed. Stayed like that for a quite a while.....(blush).

 

[stinkerbelle]

Evidently in the state of Connecticut...they just check our emissions...they could care less if you have no headlights/a completely cracked windshield/etc...

I grew up in Mass...where EVERYTHING was inspected...so I guess it really depends on your state.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If you're in PA I will get an answer for you later today - DH is certified to perform PA Safety Inspections. I know that there are some crack that will pass and others that will not, but I don't know the regulations.

 

[oogieboogie]

since certain counties in Ohio only do e-check for emissions testing, you'd pass.

 

[princesspumpkin]

In New Jersey, it will not pass. It doesn't matter where it is or how big it is, it will not pass.

Thanks bballmom56, that's exactly what I was afraid of. I live in NJ and like I said, DH is

 

[princesspumpkin]

There used to be a "drivers box" that cracks couldn't pass into for some states. This area was about an inch from the top, bottom and left side went to about the middle of the windshield.

Granted this was a few years ago and standards have been changed for most things.

You might check with your insurance company and there might not be any charge for replacing the windshield. This happened to us last year and we got a new windshield and paid nothing.

Why would the insurance company replace it for free? Was it that you didn't have a deductible or is there some special clause for windshields.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think we have the driver's side windshield wiper test here.

I am forever getting dings and cracks in my windshield. I can't even tell you how many windshields I have had replaced and / or fixed. The last three cars we traded or sold had damaged windshields.

We have glass insurance coverage on our vehicles. They will replace a windshield - subject to my deductible - if a crack is longer than a dollar bill. They will repair a windshield for nothing. See if you have that coverage.

Can you call a local garage / inspection station to see what the regulations are? Is there a website in Ohio that lists them?

Good luck.

Denae

 

[MickeysBuddy]

I had to get a window on my DW's car replaced last year. I found out that you can claim it against your car insurance and not get penelized for it. This is due to the fact that an object flying from the road has nothing to do with your driving habits. My insurance company also had a different deductable for window replacement. It was only $100. This is a little known and often overlooked fact. I would check with your insurance company and then get it fixed.

 

[bananiem]

I agree with the posters who have said to check your insurance. We had a rock bounce up and hit our windshield about a year ago. Insurance paid for the auto glass people come out to the car and replace it. It was amazing how fast that little crack spread into a long crack just by driving a little way.

 

[Christine]

Why would the insurance company replace it for free? Was it that you didn't have a deductible or is there some special clause for windshields.

I get *free* windshields too because I have no deductible on my comprehensive portion of the auto insurance.

 

[bballmom56]

Thanks bballmom56, that's exactly what I was afraid of. I live in NJ and like I said,k DH is

Yes, you said it is fairly large. It will not pass. DD had a ding in the passenger side of her front windshield. It was raining the day we went to inspection and we were hoping the rain drops would kind of hide it. No such luck! $270 later for a new windshield, she passed.

 

[C.Ann]

Once you have a crack in your windshield, you run the minute-by-minute risk of having the whole windshield shatter across your front seat - especially with hot and cold weather extremes..

I'd get it fixed and be done with it..

 

[beattyfamily]

FYI...We passed inspection with a small circular ding (about the size of a dime) on the driver's side just above the windshield up here in MA.

I forgot what the guy said. I think he said if it were bigger and in your field of vision then it wouldn't have passed. We were lucky!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Called my insurance company who said that yes, it would be covered with $100 deductible. Repair place is coming out tomorrow to fix it. Yeah!! Thanks Dis'ers - you are the best!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I got a small "star" on my windshield when a rock hit it, probably no bigger than a dime. It was more on the passenger side. My insurance company paid for it to be repaired with no deductible but I would have had to pay the deductible if I replaced the whole windshield.

 

[aprilgail2]

I got a small "star" on my windshield when a rock hit it, probably no bigger than a dime. It was more on the passenger side. My insurance company paid for it to be repaired with no deductible but I would have had to pay the deductible if I replaced the whole windshield.

I've had numerous windshields replaced and never had to pay a penny...they come right to the house or to my job-wherever I am that day-and replace it right there...glass is the only thing I have never had a deductible on...