question about cracked windshield

[mommytoe]

I cracked the inside of my windshield back in July. I really don't have the money to replace it at this time, but I am worried about it. I will have the money by our trip time.

The crack is down at the bottom and does not bother me when driving.

Dh wants me to wait and replace it after we get back from Florida. He said with our luck if we replace it before our trip it will get broke again on the trip be a flying rock.

My neighbor just fixed my brakes today and brought up the windshield. He said since the crack is on the inside if a rock hits the outside glass will go flying in the car.

Will that happen? Will have a crack on the inside of the windshield make it more dangerous if a rock hits it?

 

[Imzadi]

It doesn't matter if it doesn't bother you or not. A cracked windshield is illegal. You will be ticketed if the cops spot it. It may be cheaper to just replace the windshield now.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to check you car insurance policy and see what is the deductible on the Comprehensive portion of the policy. And some insurance companies will do windshield repair/replacement with no deductible as it is a real safety issue. So it would be worth asking your insurance company.

 

[NotUrsula]

How severe is the crack? Have you taken the car to an auto glass shop to see if it can be repaired instead of replaced? If so, I'd go with repair it now, as cracks will almost always get worse with any major variations in temperature or exposure to extreme heat. (Such as sitting in a theme park lot all day in full Florida sun.)

As to the issue of implosion, I'm not sure, but perhaps taping the crack with some clear duct tape might help to prevent that sort of incident? (I would not tape it until you are sure that it cannot be repaired. The presence of adhesive residue can sometimes prevent a glass repair from setting properly.)

PS: What the others say about safety glass is partly true: if it implodes it won't be sharp shards that will cut you. It would still be VERY dangerous, however. If a windshield completely implodes it becomes opaque because it becomes spiderwebbed with small cracks, and sags in the middle like a tarp full of water, because it is heavy. If you are going fast when it happens, it can begin to tear off and fall into your lap in chunks, but regardless, you would not be able to see where you were going and would almost certainly get into an accident if it happened on the highway.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would not feel comfortable driving any distance to WDW in a car with a cracked windshield. Your brake repairman is correct....all it takes is for something to hit that windshield just the right way and you could have glass in your lap on I-95 going 65 miles per hour....

A lot of the windshield repair places come straight ot your house and do it in the driveway, you can't drive the car for like an hour and it's all set. My car insurance paid for mine...I guess I had glass coverage or whatever. Check that out.

 

[Hercules10]

The windshield is safety glass and will not shatter if it takes a rock hit unless it's a BIG rock and if it's that big you got more serious problems then a windshield.

Depending on your jurisdiction crack windshields may or may not be illegal. It usually depends on if the crack impairs the driver's visability.

I'd agree with your husband. If it's not getting in the way of your visability wait until after your road trip.

 

[airhead]

I bet you're covered by insurance.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The windshield is safety glass and will not shatter if it takes a rock hit unless it's a BIG rock and if it's that big you got more serious problems then a windshield.

Depending on your jurisdiction crack windshields may or may not be illegal. It usually depends on if the crack impairs the driver's visability.

I'd agree with your husband. If it's not getting in the way of your visability wait until after your road trip.

Ditto.

It is only illegal if it impedes the drivers line of vision, I do believe.

 

[C.Ann]

Personally, I would have it repaired now.. Check into your insurance and see if you have coverage.. Also - keep in mind that you will be driving through several states that may have stricter laws regarding cracked windshields and you may end up with a hefty fine instead..

 

[ChristmasElf]

In Florida, insurance covers a cracked windshield. Maybe it's the same in North Carolina.

SafeLite will come right to your house or work and replace the windshield for you easily.

As far as the glass falling in if a rock hits it, your neighbor is incorrect as Windshields are made of safety glass and are designed not to shatter.
If the crack already in the windshield is less than 6 inches, they can repair the damage. If the crack is longer, it will need to be replaced.

I can't imagine your cost being more than $150-200 though

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I can't imagine your cost being more than $150-200 though

We just replaced our Yukon windshield because a rock hit it. It was only $100.

 

[Heidict]

See if you opted for full glass coverage on your auto insurance, if you did then you can have it repaired without paying a deductible.

If you don't have coverage, you would be surprised that it's actually not that expensive to replace. Depending on the car it can run you around $100-$300 or so dollars. Probably more for an SUV or larger windshield. Generally though it is cheaper then your deductible (if you have $500 which seems to be the most common). Also, be sure to call around, you would be amazed at how wildly the price varies from one company to the next. When we paid to have my husbands done we got quotes from $170 up to $500.

I wouldn't worry about it shattering on you. As Hercules said, it's safetly glass and won't go flying into your car if you happen to take another stone or rock while driving. You should be fine driving to Disney and back.

 

[luvmy3]

If the crack is under a certain size you may be able to have it repaired instead of replacing the whole windshield.

Here is some helpful info about the safety of a cracked windshield,
http://www.auto-glass.com/ws.htm

 

[JustcallmeHappy]

I bet you're covered by insurance.

ours wasn't it cost 250 plus tax

 

[SC Minnie]

I am not sure about NC but I know SC requires insurance coverage to take care of replacing/repairing a windshield without a deductible. I have had several replaced over the years, one just last year. If the crack/chip is in front of the driver they will not patch it but replace the whole thing. This is what I was told last year. The glass co came out to my office and replaced it in the parking lot.

Contact your insurance co and see what the coverage is.

 

[S. C.]

Like others have said check with your insurance company. I've had two cracked windshields over the years, my insurance company sent someone to my house and they fix it in a very short time with no cost to me.

 

[luvmy3]

Glass coverage was soemthing we had to add to our policy, it wasn't automatically covered. It was well worth it for us, I had to use it for a repair and dh had to use it for a replacement. We don't have a deductible either.

 

[ZachnElli]

We had to replace two cracked windshields in July. I wrote a check for $396 and that was for both windshields, labor, tax and them coming to me. If it is not covered by your insurance tell the glass company you are paying out of pocket, around here they charge the actual customer less than the insurance companies. Windshields go against our comp deductible.

 

[Patch'sD]

In NY Crack has to be greater than a certain length to fail an inspection. I have driven a car with a cracked windsheild for years. One thing is for sure, the crack will get longer. In most auto part stores they will sell a Windshield repair kit. It will fix small cracks and Stars. I used in on Star and it worked very well. Hope this helps

 

[sbell111]

The windshield is safety glass and will not shatter if it takes a rock hit unless it's a BIG rock and if it's that big you got more serious problems then a windshield.

Depending on your jurisdiction crack windshields may or may not be illegal. It usually depends on if the crack impairs the driver's visability.

I'd agree with your husband. If it's not getting in the way of your visability wait until after your road trip.

Agreed.