Here'tis, tonight's drama: Windshield crack, repair/replace, tons of questions

[UTUSN]

* In 50 yrs of vehicles, only had one windshield (small) crack. Had a repair done, no problem.

* Now it seems like a major drama. The repair place (same one as years ago) dude sounded like he didn't want to take the job at all.

* Get-go said the crack was 12 inch, repair might or might not work, might not be invisible, would be better off with full replacement, him not doing replacements.

* I said that since it *might* work, would rather try it and do the replacement afterwards if it didn't work.

* He said it would take 45 minutes. It was raining. He said it would dry with ultraviolet. He was done in 15 minutes.

* Iow, no guarantee. I asked other questions: Where to go for replacement (up the street). Price (600-800). Dealer ( 1200-1400). How long till I know if repair worked or not (one week to three years).

* Looked "invisible*. Next day, not invisible but not blatant.

* While repair was going on, friend texted that newer vehicles have sensor needing calibration, but for replacement only not repair.

* Meanwhile, a chance encounter with a car professional, said he lets all cracks go until the whole thing "looks like a map" before replacing.

************So, esteemed Lounge experts, what are we doing about this?

***ON EDIT: Other questions:: Does dealer warranty cover cracks? Does insurance? Will premiums increase? If warranty covers, did the job already done cancel the warranty?

[Phoenix61]

1. In Florida car insurance covers 100% replacement costs so

anytime I’ve had a crack I got a new windshield.

[UTUSN]

2. Wow, thanks.

[LakeArenal]

13. In WI there is a deductible for comprehensive.

We always have full coverage. It was cheap

[jimfields33]

14. Yep and so easy too

The place my insurance company chose wanted me to go there. I said, “Nope. Come to my house.” They did. I love Florida for this. Of course we have a lot of trucks all over the place so it is warranted to get free windshields.

[bottomofthehill]

3. I have insurance through AAA in VA

50 dollar deductible on glass per window any window. Front, rear, sunroof, side, 50 dollars and it’s replaced.

[bottomofthehill]

5. Wife corrected me, the isurance was through our credit Union but the 50 bucks remains the same.

It all depends on the policy. That said, is there a safe lite near you. They are pretty reasonable on windshields.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. About fifteen years ago I had a windshield crack that was serious

enough to warrant windshield replacement. I did the good consumer thing and got several estimates. Holy Cow! One was about half of all the others, and they sounded legit. I did go with the low estimate and never regretted it. They did an impeccable job.

As for insurance covering cracks, you need to read your insurance policy carefully.

[bottomofthehill]

6. Again not pushing safelite, but

A few 6/7 years ago the windshield in my F150 was smashed. Foul tip softball, spender webs everywhere. Ford wanted about 1400 to repair, safelite did it for $429. They seemed to do a good job, I drove the truck for about 5 more years and never had a problem with it. Saved close to a grand. It was an after market (non Ford) windshield but who cares.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Great story.

Clearly, if I ever need a windshield replaced, I will need to do some research.

I was very pleased with the experience I noted above. In fact, when I called back to the place I'd originally thought I'd use for the replacement, they said they could not even get the new windshield for the price I'd been quoted. Have no idea why they were so cheap, but the were. Oh, and I had a Subaru at the time and there was some kind of heating element in the windshield, which added to the cost. Cheap place was able to take care of that part of it.

[Hoyt]

9. Yes. That's the one I used and was pleased. They came to my house,

perfect since I usually work at home.

[Hoyt]

7. It's been awhile, but I've had replacements by those National companies.

It seemed relatively inexpensive. But, I love driving with a very clean windshield.

[UTUSN]

10. "very clean windshield" - yea, I don't like to look like have just crashed everywhere

[Hoyt]

11. Or been shot at. I find cracks, bugs, eagle droppings disgusting to look through.

[UTUSN]

12. Or ocd can't take my eyes off it

[csziggy]

15. Ages ago I had a crack in the windshield on my Suburban

I didn't worry about it at first - it was at the side and small, maybe 2" - but then I realized it was traveling. I got worried when it got over a foot long. I called my insurance company, they said call Safelite, so I did. Safelite came out to the farm a couple of days later, set up their rig and our truck on flat ground, replaced the whole windshield. I had no out of pocket cost, insurance covered the whole thing.

I seem to remember reading that cracks always eventually mean the windshield will fail and it costs the insurance companies less to replace cracked windshields than pay to repair the damages and injuries if one fails while driving down the road.

Apparently it depends on the state whether insurance will cover windshields without charging the deductible:

Fortunately, comprehensive insurance coverage for glass damage works a bit differently than coverage for other kinds of damage. Even if you have a standard deductible in place, it's possible to find policies in which glass damage is exempt. According to Value Penguin, however, it's important to make sure that all your glass is covered. You may find policies that only cover side windows without a deductible and not your front windshield, for example.

In some states, it is legally mandated that insurance companies cannot apply a deductible to windshield repair, so be sure to check your local laws to see whether that's the case where you live. Keep in mind that if you're outside of those states, you won't necessarily have to deal with a deductible, as no-deductible options are likely still available for glass repair. The widespread availability of no-deductible glass repair coverage is also what makes options like Gorilla Glass slow to catch on.
https://www.caranddriver.com/car-insurance/a32730693/does-car-insurance-cover-cracked-windshield/

[Kali]

16. insurance covered my last few replacements completely

they will send you to somebody, or if urban they may send somebody to your location (used to know somebody who did that work too). no increase for me. State Farm.

around here you can get a ticket if it obstructs your view, but more likely a repair order.

[UTUSN]

17. Thanks all. Learned much.

* No guarantee on the $85 Repair. Will know if worked in 1 week or 3 yrs.

* My insurance has $500 deductible. Swtched from Comprehensive to Liability only.

* Replacement by Safelite $600-800. Dealer $1200-1400. Get oem.

******Did the Repair, will let it do until Replacement is needed and pay. I hate insurance, only have it 'cause: Law.