So, you are driving home from work and a big, invasive semi truck cruises past you sending lose gravel hurling towards your windshield. Bam! One cracks the glass causing a small starburst shaped chip. You wonder if it is worth fixing and if your insurance will cover it. Will you have to pay a deductible?
Insurance and Rock Chip Repair Basics
Generally, most car insurance companies offer rock chip repair coverage in place of windshield replacement. This is because a rock chip is much easier to replace and a lot less expensive. Rock chips are repaired by injecting a special resin into the damaged area. The resin is cured and polished to restore the glass.
Most car insurance companies will waive the deductible. However, be wary of signing up with the few companies that do not. If rock chips are frequently hitting your windshield you could end up paying about $50 for each repair and hundreds more to replace your windshield.
Every Little Chip Cracks
No matter what the size or shape, the rock chip general rule of thumb is: get it fixed immediately. Despite this warning, most people do not honor it which is too bad. Why? Because rock chips have a tendency to spread quickly and this could result in complete windshield replacement. This can be caused by normal and unexpected movement, excessive moisture, and extreme temperatures.