crack in windsheild, replacement is only option?

[gorcorps]

I had something hit my windshield yesterday, it hit on the very edge of the lower passenger side and immediately caused a crack that's already 8" long or so. I know the crack itself can't be repaired, but can anything be done to stop it from spreading? I wouldn't have an issue replacing it if it was my car, but it's a lease and I really don't want to fork over $500 on a replacement when I still have two years left to damage it again.

 

[lxskllr]

It's gonna spread regardless, especially as the temperature changes. Leave it til you get rid of it, or an inspection ticket.

 

[Squisher]

Are you saying your deductible for comprehensive claims on your insurance is $500 or are you expecting out of pocket costs to be $500? Shops will usually have a lower price for windshields if you are paying yourself.

Usually lowering your comprehensive deductible has a marginal effect on the price of insurance and claims against the comprehensive portion of your policy also don't usually cause your insurance to go up.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Pay for new windshield. Go on with life.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Si

 

[gorcorps]

Are you saying your deductible for comprehensive claims on your insurance is $500 or are you expecting out of pocket costs to be $500? Shops will usually have a lower price for windshields if you are paying yourself.

Usually lowering your comprehensive deductible has a marginal effect on the price of insurance and claims against the comprehensive portion of your policy also don't usually cause your insurance to go up.

Both. Granted I only checked Safelite so far, but they said my windshield would cost just shy of $500 out of pocket... but that's also my deductible. Since it only happened yesterday I haven't asked around to see what the best price I could get might be.

 

[jlee]

Some states require insurance companies to provide glass coverage (e.g. Florida) - have you checked to see if you have glass coverage already?

 

[SSSnail]

Actually, MOST insurance companies cover glass repair/replacement, and they have a different deductible than your collision deductible. Check with yours first.

 

[gorcorps]

So it looks like I have comprehensive coverage separate from my collision, but it's the same $500 as it sits now. Costs me $13 per year to reduce that portion down to $250... hindsight is always 20/20 but I sure wish I did that before getting this crack. Repairs would be free if it was just a chip, but even if I call them out I know they won't be able to repair it so they'll want it replaced asap.

 

[jlee]

So it looks like I have comprehensive coverage separate from my collision, but it's the same $500 as it sits now. Costs me $13 per year to reduce that portion down to $250... hindsight is always 20/20 but I sure wish I did that before getting this crack. Repairs would be free if it was just a chip, but even if I call them out I know they won't be able to repair it so they'll want it replaced asap.

Do they offer separate glass coverage? Oftentimes you can get no-deductible glass coverage in addition to your normal comprehensive coverage. That may be worth considering for the future.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Do they offer separate glass coverage? Oftentimes you can get no-deductible glass coverage in addition to your normal comprehensive coverage. That may be worth considering for the future.

That's what I have. Added glass coverage, and then $0 glass coverage, after two windshields in a single winter. Was pricey.

Three years and another 50k miles - haven't had a crack/break since. I have clearly appeased the insurance gods.

 

[desy]

If they drill a hole at the end of the crack it usually stops it from spreading however they won't clean up the 8"

 

[Pacfanweb]

It's gonna spread regardless, especially as the temperature changes. Leave it til you get rid of it, or an inspection ticket.

That's if your state won't let a cracked windshield pass inspection.

 

[lxskllr]

That's if your state won't let a cracked windshield pass inspection.

In MD, a cop can pull you over for a light out, cracked windshield, or other visible issue, and give you an inspection ticket. That also makes you get an fr19 proof insurance form. You can either have a mechanic sign off on proof of repair, or if it's obvious to an amateur, a cop can sign off on it. There's no real consequences other than being a minor pita.

 

[olds]

If they you drill a hole at the end of the crack it usually stops it from spreading however they it won't clean up the 8" crack

This

 

[Torn Mind]

Self serve junkyards would have OEM quality windshields, but good luck taking it off in one piece.

 

[Pacfanweb]

In MD, a cop can pull you over for a light out, cracked windshield, or other visible issue, and give you an inspection ticket. That also makes you get an fr19 proof insurance form. You can either have a mechanic sign off on proof of repair, or if it's obvious to an amateur, a cop can sign off on it. There's no real consequences other than being a minor pita.

Here in NC, you can pass inspection with a crack right in front of the driver. Can't be failed for a windshield.

 

[Jumpem]

Does your insurance have free glass coverage?

 

[Brian Stirling]

A new windshield is what, about $250 installed -- give or take...

About 6 months after I bought a new car in 2012 an SUV, driving about 2X the speed limit and going the other way past me and a split second later a rock smacked my windshield creating a crack about 1 inch long. By the time I got home about 20 miles later the crack was 15 inches long and extending all the way to the edge -- no chance to repair so I knew I had to replace. So, I replace it and 4 days later a truck travelling the other way drops rocks on my new windshield producing three divots that fortunately did not crack or spread.

I'd never had to replace a windshield before and was close to needing two of them in less than a week.

A much bigger problem for me is tire damage from shit that falls out the bed of work pickups. Drywall screws and other such nasties that the pickup driver didn't think needed to be properly secured in his truck. Add to that the trash they appear to purposely leave in the bed knowing that when they get home it will no longer be there. I figure that over the years I've had to spend at least $3000 to replace tires and/or rims that were damaged by junk that's fallen out of trucks, mostly pickups.


Brian

 

[nakedfrog]

It's gonna spread regardless, especially as the temperature changes. Leave it til you get rid of it, or an inspection ticket.

I've always heard this, but haven't experienced it, and the temperature has gone between -10º and 110º over the last couple years that my Subaru has had a cracked windshield (no inspections here). Same thing with my Jeep that had a crack in the windshield when I got it, three years later, crack looked the same.

 

[gorcorps]

A new windshield is what, about $250 installed -- give or take...

About 6 months after I bought a new car in 2012 an SUV, driving about 2X the speed limit and going the other way past me and a split second later a rock smacked my windshield creating a crack about 1 inch long. By the time I got home about 20 miles later the crack was 15 inches long and extending all the way to the edge -- no chance to repair so I knew I had to replace. So, I replace it and 4 days later a truck travelling the other way drops rocks on my new windshield producing three divots that fortunately did not crack or spread.

I'd never had to replace a windshield before and was close to needing two of them in less than a week.

A much bigger problem for me is tire damage from shit that falls out the bed of work pickups. Drywall screws and other such nasties that the pickup driver didn't think needed to be properly secured in his truck. Add to that the trash they appear to purposely leave in the bed knowing that when they get home it will no longer be there. I figure that over the years I've had to spend at least $3000 to replace tires and/or rims that were damaged by junk that's fallen out of trucks, mostly pickups.


Brian

At $250 I'd be a lot happier. Quotes I'm getting are from $6-700

Probably because it's a newer vehicle with windshield wiper de-icer, so there's built in heating elements. It's gonna require an insurance claim.

 

[gorcorps]

I've always heard this, but haven't experienced it, and the temperature has gone between -10º and 110º over the last couple years that my Subaru has had a cracked windshield (no inspections here). Same thing with my Jeep that had a crack in the windshield when I got it, three years later, crack looked the same.

Mine has spread a bit, and it actually looks like it's spreading downwards now. I probably didn't need to call in to get it replaced so quickly.

 

[boomerang]

I feel the OP's pain. My insurer doesn't offer glass coverage at all.

Day three of a three year lease and I have a rock hit the windshield leaving a starburst about the size of a quarter. The repair didn't totally conceal it because it was so big. I didn't think it was going to pass inspection at lease turn in so I decided to wait until the end of the lease and make a decision.

At the end of year two, I have a massive rock hit the windshield. On the outside there is actually a slight depression about the size of a golf ball but on the inside, not at all visible from the outside, it's a series of star cracks slightly larger than the bottom of a big coffee mug. It's huge. I had to replace it and am crossing my fingers that I can make it through the last year.

Our local glass installer has two prices. One for insurance and one for "you pay". He was actually miffed that I didn't have glass coverage and was pretty vocal in telling me that I should get coverage. It kinda pissed me off.

 

[rootaxs]

I had something hit my windshield yesterday, it hit on the very edge of the lower passenger side and immediately caused a crack that's already 8" long or so.

I used the Rain-X windshield repair kit on mine.
https://www.amazon.com/Rain-X-60000...d=1468593948&sr=8-1&keywords=rainx+windshield

Had a small nick near the bottom end (by the wipers) which spread about 8" upwards as well. Filling in the nick was easy, the crack took a lot of effort trying to push the resin through. It made it especially difficult for me as i have Air80 tint on the windshield so i could only push air out one way but not the other.

My first attempt fixed the nick and most of the crack itself, except near the top. This was over a year ago.

With the 100F+ weather, i noticed that the top crack has started to extend another inch or two. I re-applied the resin on the parts i originally failed to cover properly and made sure the end of the crack was completely filled-in with resin. It's only been a couple of weeks since, but so far so good.

Eventually i'll probably have to replace the windshield, but the repair kit helps extend the life of the windshield.