Stone chip windscreen repair

[mgsontour]

Hi all

Just got a stone chip in my front windscreen ( about 15mm in diameter ) whats the best answer to fix it? Cheers

[sherman]

:GLASSMAN

[ianrb]

Check if your insurance covers it and if so who the approved repairer is. It may only cost you £50 and shouldn't impact your NCB.

What happens then depends on the nature of the damage & where on the screen it is. If it's in drivers line of sight resin injection may not be possible.

[Panamax]

Forget DIY.
Forget insurance.
Just go to a windscreen specialist and they'll have you sorted in no time with zero hassle.

So far as I'm aware line of sight is not a relevant consideration.

[Tiglon]

Not sure why you wouldn't go through insurance, they'll probably pay the windscreen specialist for you...

[Glassman]

sherman said:

:GLASSMAN

Most FC policies will cover glass repair. Not all are free.

Post up an image if you can.

[RSstuff]

A few years back, I found that some insurers considered a previous windscreen claim, when quoting.

[Mad Maximus]

Call insurance excess is normally 25 to 50. The quicker you have it filled and fixed the less visible the repair will be.

[soad]

Depends who does it? I went with the Halfords (cheap fix) - whilst looks (much) better, still remains visible.

[KungFuPanda]

Panamax said:

Forget DIY.
Forget insurance.
Just go to a windscreen specialist and they'll have you sorted in no time with zero hassle.

So far as I'm aware line of sight is not a relevant consideration.

Why would you not go through insurance who will ensure a windscreen specialist does the work anyway?

[Panamax]

KungFuPanda said:

Why would you not go through insurance who will ensure a windscreen specialist does the work anyway?

1. Because a "claim" on your record is a claim on your record.
2. Because a chip repair is unlikely to cost 50p more than your excess in any event.
3. Because it avoids faffing about with any administration.

[Tiglon]

Panamax said:

KungFuPanda said:

Why would you not go through insurance who will ensure a windscreen specialist does the work anyway?

1. Because a "claim" on your record is a claim on your record.
2. Because a chip repair is unlikely to cost 50p more than your excess in any event.
3. Because it avoids faffing about with any administration.

I've claimed a couple of times and has not made any difference to my renewal. A windscreen repair claim is not treated the same as most other claims.

None of my insurance policies have had any excess for repairing a chip, only if windscreen needs to be replaced. If windscreen does need to be replaced, excess is usually £50-100 which still means a big saving, and still no effect on future premiums.

Takes about 60 seconds to claim for windscreen repair online through most insurers. Same, if not less, as calling the windscreen specialist directly. Most of them have a separate online process for windscreen repairs.

There's really no reason not to claim.

[Glassman]

soad said:

Depends who does it? I went with the Halfords (cheap fix) - whilst looks (much) better, still remains visible.

It hasn't been done right.

[Glassman]

Mad Maximus said:

Call insurance excess is normally 25 to 50. The quicker you have it filled and fixed the less visible the repair will be.

Well, yes but I'm not sure what you're basing your statement on.

Time has no bearing on the outcome of an attempted repair. The longer it's left, the greater the chance of water seeping into the break which can affect the PVB inter-layer (goes like a cloudy colour directly behind the break). There are variables on this though, mainly the impact crater size and the type of break.

Chip repair 'clarity' is dependent on the type of break and who is repairing it. The rule of thumb is, no matter how good the repair, they never completely disappear. There'll always be some evidence (refractive index of glass is different to that of cured resin for example). The final part of a repair (once the 'structural' part is complete) is cosmetic and this too can make a huge difference.

[soad]

Glassman said:

It hasn't been done right.

True, but cheaper than a replacement. It’s not going to crack, and I can live with that. Not in a driver’s side either.

Damage only tends to happen on a spirited drives/motorways. Had a close call yesterday too.
Luckily I no longer commute far.

[Glassman]

soad said:

Damage only tends to happen on a spirited drives/motorways.

Statistically more likely, yes, but can also happen sub 30mph. Even stationary (or parked up) from passing cars flicking up stones/debris.

[mgsontour]

Glassman said:

Statistically more likely, yes, but can also happen sub 30mph. Even stationary (or parked up) from passing cars flicking up stones/debris.

I was driving sub 30 when I got hit by a flicked stone I can only imagine