It can happen in the blink of an eye. A passing car or truck can throw up the tiniest pebble that can leave a chip in your windshield. You may be relieved to see that you have just a small mark, but if you don’t take care of even the slightest damage, you could be in for bigger trouble.
It may seem harmless in size, but a stone chip can end up costing you time and money in the long term. Between the natural vibrations of a car and the ups and downs of the weather, it may not take too long for a small chip in your windshield glass to start spreading into a much larger crack.
It doesn’t take a genius to know that you need to get your chipped windshield repaired, but some people still put it off until it is too late. Take a look at just some of the reasons you should never wait to get a chip in your windshield repaired.
Weakening
Even the smallest chip can have a large impact on the overall integrity of your windshield. It can allow unwanted moisture, dirt and air pressure into the interior layers of glass and weaken the entire structure of the windshield, which can put you at risk. It doesn’t take long for a chip to become a crack, which can result in having to replace the entire thing instead of getting a simple repair.
Vision
If the chip or crack is in your field of vision when you are driving, it can be inconvenient as well as annoying. The irregularity in the glass can actually distort your view of the road and put you at risk. Cracks and chips can be distracting to the driver and can also cause night driving to become more difficult. There are enough hazards out on the roads without adding poor visibility to the mix. Keep you and your family safe by taking care of even the most minor chips as soon as possible.
Sooner Not Later
Everyone has a busy schedule, but having the chip in your windshield looked at by a professional shouldn’t be something to put off. A much cheaper repair can often be done when the damage is small, rather than waiting for the chip to expand into a crack that can’t be fixed. If you can get your car into a glass specialist within a week of first seeing the chip, you have a good chance of only needing a small repair that can take less than half an hour.
Insurance
Almost all vehicle insurance covers the replacement of your windshield, however, you will most likely have to pay your deductible which can be almost as much as the repair itself. Many insurance carriers are much more interested in paying for a smaller repair before replacement is necessary. If you can have a chip repaired, your insurance company may waive your deductible and cover the repair cost at no expense to you.
