Windshield Crack

tl01 · Jul 10, 2011

My husband's new car got a crack in the windshield the day after be bought it. You can see about 6 inches of it but it is about 10 inches long. We are having the crack stopped so it can no longer spread.

How much less safe is the car now in a roll over b/c of this crack? I know the windshield provides much of the strength in a roll over crash so I wonder if it should really be replaced instead.

SafeDad · Jul 10, 2011

I have heard that about windshields, too. I think it was from the presentation from the "airbag guy" at one of the conferences. I've always been a bit skeptical because glass is likely to crack and shatter in a crash, anyway. I wish I could give you a good answer. I just don't know how much of the information about the importance of an intact and correctly installed windshield is hearsay and how much is based on real engineering principles.

Anyone know of any studies or research papers on this?

Pixels · Jul 10, 2011

It's important enough (or perceived as such) that MA requires all insurance companies to replace cracked windshields, free of charge, without any negative ding on your record.

An Aurora · Jul 10, 2011

Pixels said:
It's important enough (or perceived as such) that MA requires all insurance companies to replace cracked windshields, free of charge, without any negative ding on your record.

Wow that's great!

I just had mine replaced last week. It had three dings but one was deep enough that glass was flaking out.

Posted by a robot and susceptible to unrelated and potentially inappropriate AutoCorrects.

flipper68 · Jul 10, 2011

tl01 said:
My husband's new car got a crack in the windshield the day after be bought it. You can see about 6 inches of it but it is about 10 inches long. We are having the crack stopped so it can no longer spread.

How much less safe is the car now in a roll over b/c of this crack? I know the windshield provides much of the strength in a roll over crash so I wonder if it should really be replaced instead.

No warranty?

tl01 · Jul 10, 2011

Pixels said:
It's important enough (or perceived as such) that MA requires all insurance companies to replace cracked windshields, free of charge, without any negative ding on your record.

The flipside that I've heard is that the factory seal on the windshield is much stronger than what you get afterward and to use judgement when replacing a windshield.

tl01 · Jul 10, 2011

flipper68 said:
No warranty?

Rock chip did it.

griffinmom · Jul 10, 2011

Several years ago, we cracked DH's windshield (golf ball hit it from golf course, that was a very loud surprise!) and we cracked mine the next day (rock hit it from the road). My insurance has a special phone number for windshield breakage and they didn't blink an eye about it.

I'd get it replaced.

An Aurora · Jul 10, 2011

FWIW, at least according to Progressive, glass is under collision coverage, so your collision deductible applies.

Posted by a robot and susceptible to unrelated and potentially inappropriate AutoCorrects.

tl01 · Jul 10, 2011

griffinmom said:
Several years ago, we cracked DH's windshield (golf ball hit it from golf course, that was a very loud surprise!) and we cracked mine the next day (rock hit it from the road). My insurance has a special phone number for windshield breakage and they didn't blink an eye about it.

I'd get it replaced.

We've already checked with our insurance. It won't change our rates like a collision would but we have to pay our deductible.

BookMama · Jul 10, 2011

In addition to any safety issues, you might also want to check your state/local laws regarding cracked windshields. I got pulled over for one two years ago and was lucky to escape a $150 ticket! (And you can bet I got that windshield replaced within days.

)

tl01 · Jul 10, 2011

BookMama said:
In addition to any safety issues, you might also want to check your state/local laws regarding cracked windshields. I got pulled over for one two years ago and was lucky to escape a $150 ticket! (And you can bet I got that windshield replaced within days. )

It's been filled now and it's barely noticeable and not anywhere near the field of vision. It's down at the bottom of the glass. I know they can cite for it.. but the cop would really have to be looking for this crack.

beeman · Jul 17, 2011

I've always been told that the crack needs to connect to 2 different sides of the windshield for it to be structurally affected. It is best to leave your factory windshield until this point, or the point where visibility is affected because factory glass is harder, and less susceptible to damage. As for the structural integrity of it, although the windshield may break, it absorbs a fair bit of energy while doing so, preventing the roof from caving in as far. If it just pops out it doesn't help one bit.

An Aurora · Jul 17, 2011

Do when replacing it, is there any difference between glass from the manufacturer versus a glass place? I had mine replaced with a windshield from the manufacturer but I wasn't sure if there was any difference beyond the little symbol and the price.

Posted by a robot and susceptible to unrelated and potentially inappropriate AutoCorrects.

Laurelz · Jul 18, 2011

Pixels said:
It's important enough (or perceived as such) that MA requires all insurance companies to replace cracked windshields, free of charge, without any negative ding on your record.

Wow! I wish they did that here in NE. I know in CO they will ticket you for a cracked windshield, but here they don't care. We have a $500 deductible and a new windshield is like $200 so we just have to pay out of pocket. Our deductible is per incident too. :thumbsdown: Not once a year!

mylittlet · Jul 21, 2011

When we got different insurance I made sure we had a window writer on it. It fixes any window issues we have. No dedicatible, no questions asked. It can probably be added to any insurance.

Windshield Crack

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