What to Do If Your Windshield Cracks

A rock off a gravel truck on the 405, a pebble kicked up on PCH, a crack that shows up after a cold marine-layer morning: however it happened, a damaged windshield needs attention quickly. Your windshield is part of your car's structure. It helps keep the roof up in a rollover and gives the passenger airbag something to push against. Here's what to do, in order.

Step 1: Get somewhere safe first

A new chip almost never makes the windshield fail on the spot, so don't slam on the brakes. Ease off, signal, and take the next exit instead of stopping on the freeway shoulder. The shoulders on the 405 and the 110 are among the most dangerous places to stop in L.A. County. Once you're parked, take a look.

Step 2: Figure out whether it's a chip or a crack

• A chip (bullseye, star or half-moon) smaller than a quarter can usually be repaired with resin in about 30 minutes.
• A short crack, under about six inches (roughly the length of a dollar bill) and away from the edge, is sometimes repairable.
• A long crack, a crack that reaches the edge, or any damage right in the driver's line of sight usually means windshield replacement.

Take a photo with a coin next to the damage. It helps us quote you accurately over the phone.

Step 3: Protect the damage

Put a piece of clear packing tape over the chip. It keeps dirt and water out, and the resin bonds better when the chip is clean. Until it's fixed:

• Don't point the defroster or the AC at full blast right at the glass. A sudden temperature change is the fastest way to turn a chip into a crack.
• Skip the car wash. High-pressure water and hot rinse cycles stress damaged glass.
• Close doors gently, and slow down for speed bumps and potholes.

Step 4: Check your insurance before you pay

If you carry comprehensive coverage, glass damage is usually covered after your deductible, and many insurers waive the deductible entirely for chip repair. Some policies carry a separate full-glass endorsement. When you call us, have your policy number handy. We'll verify coverage, file the claim and bill your insurer directly.

Is it legal to drive with a cracked windshield in California?

California Vehicle Code §26710 makes it illegal to drive with a windshield in a condition that impairs the driver's view to the front or rear. A small chip out of your line of sight usually isn't a problem. A crack across the driver's side can get you a ticket, and it's genuinely unsafe in low sun or rain. If your view is affected, get it fixed before you drive much further.

Step 5: Call a mobile technician

You don't need to take time off or find a shop. We come to your home, office or parking lot anywhere in the South Bay. Most chip repairs take about 30 minutes, and most windshield replacements take about an hour plus cure time.

The bottom line

A chip you fix this week is cheap and fast to repair. A crack you ignore until next month usually means a whole new windshield. Tape the chip, keep the temperature steady, check your insurance and call us.