Made of 3 layers in a car, windshields are one of the most durable, but also the most vulnerable parts of your automobile. Even a slight crack can mar the outer cover and the pave way for further breakage. Some people tend to ignore windshield cracks and wait until the whole glass cover crumbles down. If you want to repair or replace windshield, you should consider cheap auto glass options. Although cheap auto glass repair might be easier on the wallet, for several reasons you might want to opt for a cheap windshield replacement instead.
So, What Should You Do?
In Case of Repair : The obvious solution is replacement – you can hardly turn a corner without someone pitching you a $100 rebate or a free box of steaks if you let them replace the damaged windshield in your car or truck. But you might want to think twice before you take them up on the offer. For one thing, glass replacement is expensive. If you do some research intowindshield replacement cost you will find that auto glass can run more than $300 a windshield, which eventually comes out of your pocket, either directly or through insurance premiums. And auto glass replacement is often a high markup item – cash prices can be as little as half of what’s billed to an insurance company, according to Consumer Reports.
Increasingly, however, there’s an alternative: cheap auto glass repair technology is getting better at fixing windshields, for a fraction of the cost of replacement. The technique has gotten better, and so have the materials. Auto repair shows now are able to match the refractive index of glass so closely that the crack just about disappears.
How Do Auto Glass Repair Systems Work?
All other repair systems, work on similar principles: A technician cleans out the damaged area on a windshield, injects a clear plastic resin and then hardens the repair with ultraviolet light. It’s usually quicker than a replacement, costs less and preserves the factory window seal. And recent advances in chemistry and technique have made cheap auto glass repair a more and more viable option. State Farm, the nation’s largest auto insurer, has just changed its repair policy to cover damage as much as 3 inches across. The criteria used to cover damage the size of a quarter. Even though State Farm will waive deductibles for repairs – as will most insurance companies – four out of every five claims still result in replacement.
There are, however, some limits: State Farm suggests repairs be limited to cracks 6 inches long or less. Many shops claim to fix cracks up to a foot long, but if the crack is longer – like the classic defroster crack, all the way across the dashboard – repair is out of the question. Most repair services won’t fix damage in the driver’s line of sight, either. State Farm says the area directly in front of the driver, the size of a sheet of standard office paper, is off limits. Repair also only works on small areas. If the damage goes all the way through the windshield, through the outer layer of glass and the inner layer of plastic for instance, the windshield will have to be replaced.
Why Fix Your Windshield?
At around $49 a chip, cheap auto glass repair is a lot cheaper than replacement. Typically, insurance companies will waive your deductible in return for saving the hundreds of dollars a replacement would cost. Even if you’re not paying for a windshield out of pocket, you’re still paying for it. Repair will help keep your premiums down. Experts estimate that more than 9 million windshields a year are replaced in the United States, and because of the way the glass is manufactured, they can’t be recycled. Windshields are now a more integral part of a car’s construction – designed to keep passengers inside and debris out. Original windshield seals tend to be stronger, because they cured before the car was sold and driven.
In Case Of Replacement : If your finances are problematic, look for cheap auto glass in junkyards. Junkyards are the best place for a replacement cheap auto glass windshield. Buy one from them and find a cheap auto glass installation shop to install your used glass. Ask for replacement costs first. Do not accept the first price quote you receive; if you want to save more, search around for a while for the best possible auto glass replacement shop and never judge by the aggressiveness of advertisement. Do not be afraid to negotiate a cheaper price.
Now, with better finances, you may want to take the services of companies for cheap windshield replacement. But, beware! Not all companies are created equal. They may ask you for an advance payment and take days to deliver the end result because of lack of prompt services. Another thing to consider is the material used. It may take the company days to figure out and find the best quality but cheap auto glass replacement for the car. However, a reputable auto glass dealer should use glass made to your car’s original specifications and maintain the original safety standards.