YACT: Cracked windshield

[Chaotic42]

I was driving to school for finals today when a dump truck threw a decent sized rock at my car. It hit the very top of the windshield, putting a nice 6 or 8 inch crack in it.

What should I do about it, and how much should it cost? Are these things fatal to the windshield? Is there some kind of polymer or something I can buy at Walmart?

Thanks. :beer:

 

[CRXican]

sucks that you were on the way to finals

the company that owns that truck should be paying for your new windshield

 

[Kipper]

If your state has safety inspections and any part of the crack falls under the path of the windshield wiper blade it's likely you won't pass (this is the case in PA).

Windshield replacement for my friend was $300. I bet you could find $200 or less.

 

[FoBoT]

state you live in?
age of car?
does your ins. include glass coverage?

it varies state by state to what degree the front windshield can have cracks

my 1990 mazda has a crack along the left side, but it isn't in the "main field of vision" of the driver, so i pass safety inspections fine. (in Missouri)
in NY, any crack or ding on the front windshield would fail you on the inspection

if you have glass coverage, just get it replaced. if not:


if you have an older car and are in a state where you can still pass inspection, then wait and replace it later or not

 

[Platypus]

You're in Indy still right? Or did you move?

Indy they don't give a sh!t, and my friend got his replaced for 99 bucks w/ lifetime warranty locally, I'm sure it wont be too bad.

BTW how's it going man, haven't seen you around in a while, did you leave the radio gig?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
state you live in?
age of car?
does your ins. include glass coverage?

it varies state by state to what degree the front windshield can have cracks

my 1990 mazda has a crack along the left side, but it isn't in the "main field of vision" of the driver, so i pass safety inspections fine. (in Missouri)
in NY, any crack or ding on the front windshield would fail you on the inspection

if you have glass coverage, just get it replaced. if not:


if you have an older car and are in a state where you can still pass inspection, then wait and replace it later or not

Mississipi, 10 years, and no.

It's right infront of the rear-view mirror, so the driver can barely see it. I just want to keep it from spreading.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
BTW how's it going man, haven't seen you around in a while, did you leave the radio gig?

Yeah, I moved down to Mississippi in Jan 2004. I work for a government contractor at the local NASA place at night, and go to college during the day.

It's a much better job.

 

[AdamSnow]

Should have grabbed the plate number and company name of the truck...

they would replace your windsheild for you.

 

[iamwiz82]

Do you have comprehensive coverage? If so, claim it! Most auto glass places will cover your deductible to a certain point(~$100), too.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Should have grabbed the plate number and company name of the truck...

they would deny all responsibility and said it was not them.

Fixed your post


You have to worry about water getting in and expanding which will make the crack spread. You are probably looking at at a minimum of $150 or whatever your deductable is. Might want to get some epoxy that will bond to glass and put it over it though.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Should have grabbed the plate number and company name of the truck...

they would replace your windsheild for you.

Yeah, I tried to, but it was about 300 feet before my exit. I couldn't get within visual plate range. Maybe I should keep my digicam in the car.

 

[FoBoT]

it will spread, there is no way to stop that.

i would ignore it
old car and all, just ignore it, sure it will spread, but so what

 

[gsellis]

In most modern cars, the glass being intact is part of the roof structure. So, while it is still cracked, do not roll it.

 

[NissanGurl]

Now I've heard for small cracks (1/2 - 1 inch) you can fill it with superglue and that will help stop it from spreading. I don't know if this is an urban legend about the super glue. I'm curious if anyone has heard about this fix. I have a small crack on my windsheild I'm debating trying it out.

 

[TwoBills]

If you have full coverage, I don't think the deductable applies. Read your policy. A glass shop can usually seal/repair a crack as long as it's 6" or less. Give them a call.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: TwoBills
If you have full coverage, I don't think the deductable applies. Read your policy.

with geico, you either have glass coverage or not (i think it varies by state though). if you do, they replace it , you just call them and they send a truck from the company they have contracted

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: TwoBills
If you have full coverage, I don't think the deductable applies. Read your policy. A glass shop can usually seal/repair a crack as long as it's 6" or less. Give them a call.

QFT

stop by your local Jiffy Lube, they should have contact info for glass repair companies.
I had a 1-inch crack and I called these guys and they repaired it. Cost me $50, which was covered by my insurance (no deductable) but I opted to pay cash as I didn't want to have the claim on my record.

 

[TechnoKid]

If the rock was kicked up by the truck, then they are not responsible as far as I understand laws reagarding this in California.

If the rock fell from the truck and hit you, they are responsible, the Cali vehicles codes support this by saying that any "hauling" truck (commercial or not) has to secure its load [to prevent road hazards to themselves and other drivers]; obviously a rock/debris falling from a truck and hitting your car would mean they did not secure their load well. I'm pretty sure this is how it is in all other states as well.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: NissanGurl
Now I've heard for small cracks (1/2 - 1 inch) you can fill it with superglue and that will help stop it from spreading. I don't know if this is an urban legend about the super glue. I'm curious if anyone has heard about this fix. I have a small crack on my windsheild I'm debating trying it out.

As long as no water has gotten in it. When water freezes it expands...thus more cracking

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: CRXican
the company that owns that truck should be paying for your new windshield

Yep, they have insurance for this type of accident.