Chip or Crack: Should You Repair Your Windshield or Replace It?

Short answer: we only repair chips. Any crack, no matter how small, means the windshield needs to be replaced. A chip repair costs far less, so get a chip fixed as soon as possible, before it spreads. Here is how to tell.

When a repair is enough

  • The damage is a chip, not a crack
  • It is not in the driver’s line of sight
  • The glass around it is still clean and dry

A repair fills the damaged spot with resin and hardens it. It costs much less than a new windshield, takes far less time, and helps stop the chip from spreading. The chip will still be visible after the repair — every chip repairs differently, and how clear it looks varies. Chip repairs fall under comprehensive coverage and are generally covered by insurance. We handle the insurance paperwork and bill insurance companies directly.

When the windshield needs replacing

  • The damage is a crack of any size
  • A chip sits directly in front of the driver
  • Your car has a camera behind the glass and the glass has to come out

Why waiting costs more

Chicago temperature swings do the damage for free. Cold, heat, a car wash, or one bump down a rough street turns a repairable chip into a crack that can no longer be repaired, one that runs the length of the glass. What costs a small repair in September can cost a full replacement by January.

How to find out in one message

Text a photo of the damage to (773) 227-5200 and we will tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement. If it is a repair and you are nearby, same-day service may be available. If you need new glass, we will tell you what kind of glass and whether your car needs the camera re-aimed afterwards, which we do in-house.

Free quotes, a lifetime workmanship warranty, and Chicago windshields fixed since 1980. More on our windshield repair and replacement page.


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