POW, I got hit!

Changeling · 12-24-06, 01:45

In my area there is a lot of new home/commercial construction going on. Yesterday I was driving along minding my own business when something hit my windshield!
No idea what so ever where it came from. However it left a small chip in my wind shied, you guessed it, right smack in my line of vision. It is about the size of the head on a pin, maybe 1/32 to 1/16 inch!
It is in a position that when I look straight ahead and not at the chip I see "Two Chips"!!

Question: Are the chip fixes you see in WM or other stores worth the effort or is it junk, and I should go to a glass place to get it fixed?
Changeling

BMW335i · 12-24-06, 01:51

You could get it patched. Or if it annoys you, you can get the whole winshield replaced. Either way, I would do it A.S.A.P.

toyotaguy · 12-24-06, 02:06

if it affects your vision, most insurances will replace it for free

Suprchargd · 12-25-06, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

if it affects your vision, most insurances will replace it for free

This is really interesting to me. Do you have any more info on this? Will my premium go up as a result? The 4 bigger chips I have on my windshield are all right in front of me. Even if I tried out some of the more drastic procedures like cerium oxide (?) that have been previously mentioned those are only good to take out minor scratches and water spots, not actual chips you can feel using your fingers.

I have liability insurance with State Farm though if that makes a difference?

Spartacus · 12-25-06, 07:53

It does not fall under liability. It would come under your comprehesive coverage that you should have with your auto insurance. Most reputable insurance companies would replace the entire windshield with a problem in the "critical view" area. A deductible should not be an issue-I've replace two windshields on two different cars through SF because of catching boulders from trucks on a highway. No cost to me. Check with your insurance agent.

Accumulator · 12-25-06, 10:02

Changeling- Can't help with the patch-jobs (never had it done), but if you get the windshield replaced be sure that the guys who do the work don't mess things up. If they accidentally (i.e., *carelessly*) cut through the paint when they "cut out" the old one, it'll rust out down the road.

jfelbab · 12-25-06, 10:20

A small chip like you describe can usually be easily repaired. SF will most assuredly cover this. If you need to have a replacement windshield, be very sure you specify OEM glass and not aftermarket glass. Your windshield is not just there to keep the rain and bugs off your face. It serves as the backing plate for your airbags. As such it needs to be strong and aftermarket glass is cheaper because it is not made as strong. Be aware that in some cases the same companies make both OEM glass and aftermarket glass. Know what you are getting. Also be sure that if you replace the glass that the proper cleaning is done and the proper adhesives are used. Check the expiration dates on the adhesives as well.

In most cases, a repaired OEM windshield is stronger than an aftermarket windshield.

David Fermani · 12-25-06, 11:39

An insurance company with not authorize the repair of a windshield if the damage is in the line of vision. There's too much liability involved with the the repair impeeding your vision. Look at the glass breakage section on your policy to see if a deductible applies.
On a unrelated side note, cement companies usually pay through the roof in premiums due to the fact that they spew stones and rocks out of their mixers. If you ever have one hit your windshield, write down their company name and truck number and your insurance company will go after them to subrogate for damages.

David Fermani · 12-25-06, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfelbab

A small chip like you describe can usually be easily repaired. SF will most assuredly cover this. If you need to have a replacement windshield, be very sure you specify OEM glass and not aftermarket glass. Your windshield is not just there to keep the rain and bugs off your face. It serves as the backing plate for your airbags. As such it needs to be strong and aftermarket glass is cheaper because it is not made as strong. Be aware that in some cases the same companies make both OEM glass and aftermarket glass. Know what you are getting. Also be sure that if you replace the glass that the proper cleaning is done and the proper adhesives are used. Check the expiration dates on the adhesives as well.

In most cases, a repaired OEM windshield is stronger than an aftermarket windshield.

Usually if your vehicle is older than 1 year and has more than 15,000 miles, you don't have a choice what kind of glass they choose to use. They reserve the right to use the cheapest one they can locate. You may be left with the only option of paying the difference between OEM and Aftermarket. Could be several $100 bucks.
Can you explain how your windshield serves as the "backing plate to your airbags"? I don't think that a windshield serves any relationship with an airbag restraint system. There isn't any sensors in it and your bags won't blow if your windshield breaks and vise versa.

jfelbab · 12-25-06, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Usually if your vehicle is older than 1 year and has more than 15,000 miles, you don't have a choice what kind of glass they choose to use. They reserve the right to use the cheapest one they can locate. You may be left with the only option of paying the difference between OEM and Aftermarket. Could be several $100 bucks.
Can you explain how your windshield serves as the "backing plate to your airbags"? I don't think that a windshield serves any relationship with an airbag restraint system. There isn't any sensors in it and your bags won't blow if your windshield breaks and vise versa.

Every glass policy I've seen states that it will be replaced with "like kind".

Good source : http://www.ultrabond.com/safetyreport.pdf.

Quote:

The Motor Vehicle Act, Section 1397 (a2a) states "No...dealer...or repair business shall knowingly render inoperative, in whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle."

If you bring this up to your insurance company I'm sure they will agree to OEM glass. All you need to say is that the glass must meet the FMVSS requirements for safety and must be installed properly.

Quote:

Windshield replacements per the Independent Glass Association, National Glass Association, and ABC’s 20/20 and Fox News are known to be done incorrectly 70% of the time

That's a pretty strong reason to consider a repair over a replacement if at all possible.

Your windshield serves several purposes. If a passenger side airbag deploys, the windshield glass serves as the backing plate for that bag. If there is no windshield there bacause the stress of the impact causes the glass to fail, the bag is useless and won't provide protection to the passenger. A windshield also provides 30-70% of your roof's support in case you wind up rolling over.

Aftermarket glass is made fast and cheap. The faster it can be made the cheaper it is. It lacks the same strength as OEM due to the fact that it is not slow annealed. OEM glass is more expensive because it takes longer to make and is subsequently stronger. The federal government requires that new car glass meet FMVSS stress tests. Car manufacturers use OEM glass, even though it costs more because it is safer and meets these Federal requirements. They don't use aftermarket glass because it doesn't meet these FMVSS requirements.

I doubt that your insurer will argue the issue of OEM glass if you press them about it.

Changeling · 12-25-06, 01:52

Anyone able to answer the original question please?

I have had cracked windshields before. In all cases I had a deductable to pay!

Remember, this is a tiny chip, but it's location couldn't be worse !

Changeling

jfelbab · 12-25-06, 10:40

In my experience with SF insurance, they have not charged me a deductible on either a repair or a replacement. Check with your insurance agent. I would not attempt a home repair in either case.