Windshield from a chip to a crack

[sdpapet]

Hi, guys. I found a chip on my windshield last week (2013LT sonic hatch). I called my insurance company and they referred me to a local glass store doing a business with my insurance company. It's a really tiny chip. They put several drops of glue and fixed it last Mon. I have full insurance, so I didn't pay it. They told me it cost $68.00 and they will bill to insurance company. To be honest, I don't like their job. If they are good workers, you shouldn't see a chip after they fix it. However, I see a large "scar". The nightmare is today. When I drove the car with my friend, the whole windshield suddenly cracked and we were so scared. So, I called the insurance again and this time they told me I have to replace the windshield. They suggested me using this glass store again. I'm not a car expert. I have several questions.

1>When I talked to the insurance agent. I blame the glass store people did a sloppy job. The agent told me this happens often (from chip to crack). Is this true. To me, I think this glass store technician tried to make money from the insurance. They didn't fix the chip at the very beginning and wanted me to replace the glass.

2>Although I don't pay it, I'm worry about their service quality. My friend told me a small chip will only cost $20 in a small store. They charged close to $70, but they still do a bad job. I was wondering if you guys know any large glass chain store. For example, If I fix tires, I go to Firestone. Any large glass store like Firestone.

3>When I asked the insurance agent if I have to go to the same store this time, I was told no. However, when I ask if I can go to the GM chevy official store to fix it, they told me they are not glass expert. I could go, but they might charge extra. My insurance might not cover all. Gee, is this a joke? Manufacturer is not a expert? They recommend me to go to a glass store.

4>Since I don't know other good glass stores in the town. I'll have to go to the store, which fixed my chip last Mon. I am a little worried
Here are my questions:

A> How long does it take for a replacement. Can I drive it right way after the replacement?

B>I am not sure the windshield glass has any brand name or not? For example, I suppose GM chevy original one should be a brand name. These glass stores should give me a generic glass? Do they normally have a class for each type of cars. Or they have to cut large glass to fit? They fix glass for different class? They shouldn't have all type and size of class ready, right?

C>I know there are lot of types of glass? Some one tough and better UV shield? Any special glass you guys would recommend me to replace? To be honest, I don't what class Sonic originally used.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Tech_God]

Just dealt with a small chip on my sonic, quickly fixed but there is a small white mark where the chip was, that's kinda normal unfortunately, it was done well by Safelite and the surface is completely smooth (Which is what matters most)

A: Typically with our cars they should have the glass in stock, takes about 1-2 hours to replace it in store, and yep you can drive it right after, they just say not to slam doors with the windows shut for 24 hours.

B: Ask for OEM glass when scheduling, the off-brand stuff is usually nowhere near as good. It will have a Chevy stamp on it. They never cut it at the place, it's always pre-made windshields.

C: They only use one type for each car basically, so there's no worry about different types of glass being used.

 

[sdpapet]

Hi Tech,

Thank you. You didn't get the whole glass cracked after fixed the chip,right? I used Safelite company too, when I fixed the chip. Is "Safelite" a company with good reputation? Or I just met a bad technician.

I just called the safelite. I have the sonic 2013 car. They can use OEM glass for sonic 2015/16 directly. They need to wait my insurance to approve OEM glass (Geico).

You car is 2014 right? What is your insurance company?

 

[RMinNJ]

Don't use the original glass place if you think they're work is sloppy. Call your dealer and see who they use. You don't want them to scratch the metal putting it in ..that will rust later. Some installers are very good and some places just don't care.

 

[Swordsmith]

Safelite is not a small store, it's a big national brand. That doesn't mean this particular Safelite is any good, but it does mean you won't find someone bigger or that there's any safety in big.

On the other hand, this is in fact standard practice, up to a certain size, chips are fixed, above that size, the whole windshield is replaced. Sometimes the fix works, sometimes it does not. But the insurance company is not going to pay the glass company for a replace if the size of the chip falls in the "fix" category, they are going to make the gamble that the fix might save them money. In your case, they lost that bet, now they have to pay for the chip repair on top of the replace they could have done at the start.

Most of these companies will come to you and fix your car where you are, for no additional fee. Up to you which is more convenient... for me, coming outside to open the door, going back to work and then coming out again a half hour later is a lot better than driving to them and cooling my heels waiting.

 

[sdpapet]

Safelite is not a small store, it's a big national brand. That doesn't mean this particular Safelite is any good, but it does mean you won't find someone bigger or that there's any safety in big.

On the other hand, this is in fact standard practice, up to a certain size, chips are fixed, above that size, the whole windshield is replaced. Sometimes the fix works, sometimes it does not. But the insurance company is not going to pay the glass company for a replace if the size of the chip falls in the "fix" category, they are going to make the gamble that the fix might save them money. In your case, they lost that bet, now they have to pay for the chip repair on top of the replace they could have done at the start.

Most of these companies will come to you and fix your car where you are, for no additional fee. Up to you which is more convenient... for me, coming outside to open the door, going back to work and then coming out again a half hour later is a lot better than driving to them and cooling my heels waiting.

Ya, I guess I met a stupid technician. Does anyone know if this would affect my next time insurance price? It is a really tiny chip (1/8 inch) and now I have to replace the whole windshield. The technician used some kind of rod and made the chip opening wider, in order to pour his glue into it.

 

[Tech_God]

Yep, sounds like a stupid tech honestly, and yep the chip is holding with no problems whatsoever, it hasn't cracked. My insurance is USAA, and my car is a 2014, yeah. This shouldn't affect your insurance rates whatsoever as well.

I've had my ex gf's Fiat 500 Abarth windshield replaced by safelite and they did a GREAT job in replacing it, so honestly I'd stick with them, but possibly bring the car to their location if you can, I was in and out within an hour and a half and they have everything they'd ever need there instead of bringing it to you and having weather potentially be a factor.

 

[sdpapet]

Yep, sounds like a stupid tech honestly, and yep the chip is holding with no problems whatsoever, it hasn't cracked. My insurance is USAA, and my car is a 2014, yeah. This shouldn't affect your insurance rates whatsoever as well.

I've had my ex gf's Fiat 500 Abarth windshield replaced by safelite and they did a GREAT job in replacing it, so honestly I'd stick with them, but possibly bring the car to their location if you can, I was in and out within an hour and a half and they have everything they'd ever need there instead of bringing it to you and having weather potentially be a factor.

Thanks. After they install it, it shouldn't affect defrost, right? This is why I don't like third-party company. Some of them are not familiar with the car. Is it possible I could test the windows defrost after they replace the windshield. It will be warm on my appointment day, but the cold air comes. I don't want them to screw up something? How could I check windshield defrost during a warm day.

 

[Tech_God]

The defrost shouldn't be affected at all, it's basically just vents blowing on your windshield, there's nothing electric in the windshield itself.
The only things that CAN go wrong are misalignment and wind noise due to an air leak, but because of how tight windshields fit nowadays, the likelihood of that is slim to none.

Safelite also does give a lifetime warranty on workmanship, so if anything does seem off, they'll fix it for free.

 

[sdpapet]

Thanks. Yes. I called Geico, and they only allow me using after market glass. I don't what brand it is now. If it doesn't fit very well and it could be noisy when driving in high speed.

I will see

 

[Tech_God]

Yep, go with what's covered and see how it is. If it doesn't fit well or causes issues (Really shouldn't be a problem) then the Safelite warranty will cover it and replace it with OEM if need be.

 

[Ltz15]

Glass coverage is usually separate from your collision coverage and will NOT affect your rates at all.
BTW chip fixes never look clear, at best the imaging through the glass will be stretched, twisted, etc. At worst, annoyingly distracting.
Yes they can still crack and shatter, that is why most replacement companies will warranty their work and if it does break, they will replace the glass for free.

 

[Palmaris]

I had a big rock chip happen over a month ago, at the start of November. Got it repaired a few days later. It is still very visible, but at the top of the windsheild so it is out of my vision

The repair seems to be holding on so far, even with the cold temperature swings we get up here. I hope it hangs on!

 

[Chevy2012sonic]

Just u no i jave after market glass in my car bc i had a crack and i needed a training car for my job at safelite. It is a perfect match to oem. If ita done correctly it wont make any noise. If it does thag means its not sealed correctlt and can come out in an accident also will let water in. For the chip what the repair does is retain the integrity of the glass so it doesnt crack out.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Chevy2012sonic]

I just replaced mine with after market glass for training at safelite its a perfect fit
If you have noise that means its not sealed correctly.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Impala11419]

i got a chip on my windshield a few months ago and never went to get it repaired. i was scared that it would crack and spider out. its not in my view so i left it. eventually i will replace the windshield but for now it is what it is i guess.

 

[DirkDeadeye]

I got a free box of steaks and 100 bucks from calling a local company.

I didn't go through my insurance, they went through it.

This was on my corolla, which was, let's just say, mangled after an accident.