Windscreen damage, repair or replacement?

When your windscreen gets damaged, the first question is whether it can be repaired or has to be replaced. The answer comes down to the size and position of the damage.

Why cracks spread

A windscreen is laminated, two layers of glass with a special film between them. That is why it does not shatter into pieces. Instead it chips or cracks, and the pressure of everyday driving slowly works those cracks wider. A small mark you can ignore today can spread across your line of sight within weeks, so the sooner it is looked at, the cheaper the fix.

Repair or replace

• Chips and cracks under about 2 cm can usually be repaired quickly
• Damage in the driver's line of sight usually means replacement
• A crack that keeps growing means replacement
• A damaged windscreen that obstructs your view can fail a WOF inspection

What it costs and how insurance helps

Replacement can run from around $500 to $5,000 depending on the vehicle and the technology in the glass. The good news is that most policies offer glass cover, and many glass claims are excess free. Glass cover usually extends to side and rear windows too, and can even include interior cleaning if broken glass has spread through the cabin. Check your policy so you know where you stand before you need it.

Do not forget the camera

If your car has a camera mounted on the windscreen, it runs safety systems like lane keeping and emergency braking. Replace the glass and the camera moves with it, so an ADAS recalibration is part of a proper job. Skip it and those systems may not see the road correctly.

At Solis we repair or replace the glass, manage the insurance claim and recalibrate the camera under one roof. Spotted a chip or crack? Send us a photo and we will tell you what it needs.