What to Do with a Chipped Windscreen

Suffering a chip in your car’s windscreen is a common, unavoidable occurrence, that is very often the result of a small stone being thrown up by another vehicle into your path. It is important that any chips are dealt with promptly because what may appear to be inconsequential damage could become worse over time.

A windscreen isn’t simply a way to keep the wind and rain out of your car; it is constructed from toughened glass and contributes to the overall structure and strength of the car body, giving you greater protection in the event of a more serious accident. Therefore, your windscreen needs to be in optimum condition at all times.

Can I ignore a chip in my windscreen?

Small areas of damage to your vehicle’s windscreen are not necessarily illegal but should be repaired promptly. If the chip is in direct line with the driver’s vision, then an area no larger than 10mm in diameter can often be repaired, while elsewhere on the windscreen damage up to 40mm across can be repaired. Larger chips and cracks that go unattended to might result in an MOT failure in future.

Ignoring the damage, however small it might appear, is not an option. Due to the manufacturing process, a small chip could cause unexpected larger cracks in the windscreen when driving over uneven surfaces, in cold weather or if the interior demister is used (especially if there’s been a frost). This could turn a simple repair job into a major windscreen replacement, at greater cost and inconvenience.

How is a chipped windscreen repaired?

A professional repair to a chip on a car or van windscreen is far simpler and more cost-effective than an entire windscreen replacement. While a windscreen can usually be replaced at your home or place of work, completing the work when you need it is often subject to the weather and sometimes means meeting the cost of the excess which will be set down by your insurance company.

A chip repair is a far more practical and much cheaper option, that doesn’t mean breaking the factory seal around the outside of the windscreen. By injecting a special resin into the damaged area, the surface of the glass can be restored and will be smooth enough not to damage your windscreen wipers. This will return your vehicle’s windscreen to its original condition and integrity and will offer you the reassurance that further cracks will not appear at unexpected moments.

Where can I have my chipped windscreen repaired?

Windscreen chip repairs can be carried out at a location of your choice for your maximum convenience, so you need not take time off work or arrange childcare while you take your car into a local garage.

The Windscreen Company are always available to carry out windscreen repairs, so whether you are at the roadside requiring an immediate repair to your windscreen, or at home or work, we can provide a professional, courteous service that will have your vehicle’s glass quickly restored to its original condition in no time.

How much will a repair cost me?

For many fully comprehensive insured drivers, a repair to their vehicle’s windscreen won’t cost a penny. The Windscreen Company can liaise directly with major insurers to recover the cost of repairs, giving you greater freedom and less anxiety about meeting the bill. Check your motor insurance policy for details of excesses for damaged glass.