My insurance company lets you add no-deductable glass coverage to your comprehensive policy, which I think adds like $100 a year.
Around here most people don’t really replace cracked windshields until they get really bad (the crack in the OP wouldn’t get a second glance) so I’ve never found it worth it.
I was watching a few You tube videos about this a couple of weeks ago. It really was amazing the length of the cracks they were repairing. The end results were nearly invisible.
Check this one out:
Most insurance companies charge no deductible for auto glass repair, when comprehensive and full glass coverage is included in the policy. This was true of the over 30 companies that I dealt with at my insurance agency.
show me where I did that.
He gave the site: side windows.
mmm
I’ve had my Jeep windshield replaced 3 times in 7 years, due to large cracks (from routine use, not off roading). Installers have told me that if a crack is smaller than a dollar bill it can often be repaired. If it’s larger than that, they typically have to replace it. I’ve always replaced it on the chance it could be dangerous if not replaced.
Thanks guys! I think I’ll wait for a bit. My inspection isn’t due until the end of the year. I think my insurance only covers glass repair, probably not a crack like this or a complete replacement, at least not without the deductible, which is $500 in my case. Hope Santa has a big sled this year.
And it was retracted and had nothing do with the OP’s question.
I know if you’re driving a big rig, you MUST replace the windshield if a crack forms in the part that is swept by the wipers. They figure if it’s covered by the wipers, it’s in the driver’s field of view. Heck, once they replaced my windshield just because of the normal, not generally visible pits and stuff from 3 years of bugs flying into it. Heck, it was their truck and their money; I had no problem if they wanted to give me a new windshield. I did notice the difference.
Price shop.
My replacement brought estimates from $1300 to $175, most in the $300 range. My deductible was $200. The vender with the $175 price had good reviews. I went there and was very happy. Fast service, great price. Would buy again!
Depending on how low your windshield replacement deductible is, many windshield replacement companies will cover the deductible so you may not need to pay anything out of pocket. That was the case when I had to replace my windshield last winter. If I remember correctly, you just have to make sure the replacement company you choose is on the approved list of your insurance provider, but it was a pretty big list in my case. Then it was just a matter of choosing a company on the list that had the best online reviews.
Also, as long as the outside temperature is over I think 35F, they’ll usually come out to where you are, your driveway or work parking lot, and replace the windshield on-site. I couldn’t take advantage of that because it was during a stretch of bitterly cold weather.
Are you really going to make a decision based on the advice of a bunch of people on the internet, who don’t even live in the same state as you? Call your insurance agent, and look up the laws in the state where you live (NJ IIRC?) Because you’re going to feel remarkably stupid if you get a ticket for a cracked windshield, only to find that your insurance would have replaced it at no cost to you.
Sure - From your post - Hyundai Veloster Recall For Shattering Sunroofs Expands This is not germane to the OP’s question, and unnecessarily alarming. A glass roof is, at best vary rare, and the OP was worried about a small crack that they were worried about having to have fixed the next day.
I agree with this mostly. But I find in very hard to believe that any LEO would ticket someone for such a small crack.
how many companies have full glass coverage as part of the policy?
Every policy I wrote that had comp on it had full glass coverage as well. I always advised my clients to keep comp on a car even if the car was paid off, and it was no longer required by the bank.
Comp covers things such as a tree or limb falling on your car, your car hitting a deer or other animal (a common occurrence around here) and damaging the car, theft and fire.
But needing a new windshield too? I’ve sent an email off to my insurance rep. Allstate. Been with them for as long as I have driven (out lived the last guy at the company)
We will see what he says, but replacing a windshield is sort of subjective. What about pitting? Not the SDMB type but gravel and sand that scars the windshield. That’s when I get them replaced. A simple crack is just no big deal.
All modern windshields are made from glass that is laminated safety glass. Meaning that it has a laminate coating in the middle that prevents the glass from shattering and so that entire glass stays in one piece for safety reasons.
Depending on your state, you may have to replace it if you need to passs inspection I’ve had to replace mine to pass here in NY. Also, I have USAA and they don’t cover glass, at least with my policy. Good luck!
A crack that large is an automatic MOT failure here in the UK. Lots of sites also say that it is illegal but fail to provide a cite. I was stopped once by the police for having a cracked windscreen. However, it was not a nice evening and I was driving home very carefully and the officer accepted that I would be getting it replaced when I got home.