How can you tell whether your windshield needs to be repaired or replaced? What are the things to watch out for regarding your health and safety, as well legal ramifications of having a broken windshield? In this article, we will explore the different types or windshield damage, and what should be done to keep you safe on the road.
Windshields break for several reasons, especially in our home state of Arizona who claims more broken windshield insurance claims than any other state in the US. With so many arbiters of windshield damage, there are many forms and severity or damage which leads to the question: “Should I get my windshield replaced, or can the damage be repaired?
How do I know whether my windshield can be repaired? Some sources online will claim up to 6 inches of damage can be repaired, but common criteria for a safe and proper repair is quite a bit smaller. Our rule of thumb at Roadrunner Auto Glass and Window Tint is the damage should not be larger than the size of a quarter because the efficacy of a repair diminishes as the damage grows larger. If a crack is too big, then the repair resin will not be able to repair the extent of the damage.
Another important thing to watch out for is precisely where the damage takes place on your windshield. If the damage happens in the driver’s line of sight, it is always highly recommended that they replace their windshield rather than repair the damage. To have your field of view obstructed, even minimally, while driving poses risks for yourself and others on the road, the best way to avoid that from windshield damage is to have is replaced completely. There can also be legal ramifications for having a chip or crack in front of your field of view. Police officers have it well within their rights to fine drivers who they deem are driving under unsafe conditions, and obstruction of the driver’s field of view is heavily scrutinized.
If your windshield is cracked it is always smart to get it looked at by a professional who can tell you whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. If damage goes unchecked for too long it can pose safety concerns like structural integrity that can affect driver and passenger safety. If you are not sure whether to have your windshield repaired or replaced. It will always be the wisest decision to do so.