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Original poster

Chip in windscreen

30 replies

EagleOrIgel · 28/09/2021 19:59

Would you be happy driving around with a chip in your windscreen?
Even more expensive than planned day trip out to a theme park with the DC today, windscreen got a piece of grit (?) at it whilst we were on the motorway. It seems that as it's tiny, the chip itself is max. 2-3mm diameter and the "shock" around it is smaller than a 5p piece; it's not in the drivers direct field of vision and neither is it at the edge of the windscreen, then we can get it filled with resin.

Would you be happy to do this? Drive around with a damaged, but repaired, windscreen. Would it worry you that the safety of the car is compromised?

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 28/09/2021 20:02

I can't imagine the entire windscreen repair industry would exist if it wasn't safe to use.
Your insurance policy should cover this, and if they are happy with repairs, it's a good starting point point.

The RAC, AA and a pile of other automotive companies recommend repairs.

Lots of info out there if you look.

allofthecheese · 28/09/2021 20:05

I would get it repaired as soon as possible. This happened to me, the chip was tiny and on a slightly obscured place so I forgot about it. It happened on the motorway too. Then a few weeks later there was a huge crack when we had really warm weather. Unluckily for me my insurance didn't cover it so I have to pay privately. It was VERY expensive to replace.

Floralnomad · 28/09/2021 20:09

If you draw a square around the outer edges IYSWIM. and that square measures larger than 1cm they cannot repair it .

Interested in this thread?

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Driving & parking
LakeShoreD · 28/09/2021 20:10

The repair is perfectly safe. If you have fully completed insurance then it will be covered, which should tell you that it’s safe as your insurance wouldn’t sign off on a bodge. If the chip is too large to injected with resin the company won’t do it- I had one that was borderline but they thankfully were able to repair it- that was a year ago now and it’s still fine.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/09/2021 20:11

Weve had this twice.
1st time... winter on motorway. By the time we got home the crack was too big to repair (but only a few cm), insurance covered cost of new one (heated windscreen, 900 Euro!)
2nd time... they sent Autoglass to repair. A few weeks later the crack reappeared. It is apparently stable at the moment (and indeed hasn't changed in 7 months) but insurance will replace if it starts to grow.

poullou · 28/09/2021 20:11

Do you mean you plan to repair the chip, not replace the windscreen?

Of course I would be happy if the windscreen was repaired. Not every chip can be repaired though; the repair company will tell you if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

Original poster
EagleOrIgel · 28/09/2021 20:18

I'm going to call the garage first thing tomorrow, they were closed when we got home. DH says I tend to worry over daft things, so I wondered if it would bother anyone else to drive around with a repaired windscreen. If it would suddenly crack whilst driving or shatter in an accident kind of thing. (Even knowing that these repairs wouldn't be allowed if they were safe.) Urgh, we'll lose our no claims bonus too.

OP posts:
DonttouchthatLarry · 28/09/2021 20:19

Yes we've had chips repaired - and have even bought a kit and done a small one at home ourselves.

Funnily enough I got a great one on the way home tonight right in my field of vision (heated screen too).

DonttouchthatLarry · 28/09/2021 20:20

A repair doesn't usually affect no claims.

NothingIsWrong · 28/09/2021 20:21

Call your insurance company they will have specialists for this

bloodywhitecat · 28/09/2021 20:28

Do you lose no claims for a screen repair? I never have

mineofuselessinformation · 28/09/2021 20:35

Just get it repaired - if you don't, on a cold winter day if you demist the windows using the heating room or even just have the heating on as usual, the temperature difference could cause it to crack. (It's happened to me.)
The resin is designed to be as strong as the rest of the screen, so it should be fine.

BashfulClam · 28/09/2021 20:36

My friend got hers repaired and it’s held fine. We didn’t repair one and the full screen cracked one winter morning. A full new windscreen was needed.

crimsonlake · 28/09/2021 20:38

I had a tiny chip from motor way driving, unfortunately when I described it to the insurances go to screen repair company due to the position they deemed I would need a new winscreen.
When the windscreen company came out they said it was repairable, however a problem might arise when it went through the MOT. I decided to get it replaced to save myself any bother later down the line although I am sure it would have repaired fine.
I was equally worried the next day driving down the motorway incase the windscreen blew out as I was off the tiny crack getting any bigger at the time.
It did not affect my insurance renewal quote.

PinkFootstool · 28/09/2021 20:41

@EagleOrIgel don't phone your garage, they probably won't be able to do it. You need to phone your insurance company. Most glass claims are excluded from triggering your no claims bonus but check your policy.

Your insurance company will usually tell you who they work with for glass repair, and you go from there.

PinkFootstool · 28/09/2021 20:44

Here's what my insurer Aviva say - and if I were to have it repaired before contacting them, it could be a PITA.

Chip in windscreen
Chip in windscreen
LakeShoreD · 28/09/2021 20:48

I did it via Autoglass and they sorted with the insurer without me even having to contact them directly. I didn’t lose no claims either. Couldn’t have been easier, except if I hadn’t have had the chip in the first place of course!

LakeShoreD · 28/09/2021 20:49

See here, they will tell you if they work with your insurer:
www.autoglass.co.uk/what-will-it-cost/insurance-claims/

CanIGoHomeNowPlease · 28/09/2021 20:52

It’s not an MOT failure to have a chip or crack in a windscreen.

The fix of a chip is a good way to repair it rather than replacing the whole screen.

I’ve been driving around with 2 chips in my windscreen for months.

TJL19 · 28/09/2021 20:54

Drove with one for about a year, not advisable, come to think about it I should have probably cleaned that car more often as well

bellsbuss · 28/09/2021 20:58

I've had mine done through my insurance company , it doesn't effect your no claims.

Taxwolf · 28/09/2021 21:03

This happened to us recently. Windscreen chipped on motorway. It was covered by insurance so we arranged for autoglass to co and fix it. They cancelled twice and we had to go on another motorway trip. The chip spread into a crack. I bought a resin kit to stop it getting any worse. It held together until we got home.

I would fix it ASAP. The resin is fine but it will get worse if you leave it.

mineofuselessinformation · 28/09/2021 21:54

@CanIGoHomeNowPlease, that's incorrect. Please don't post if you're not sure what you're talking about.
It depends on the position and size.
www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/3-visibility

DerAlteMann · 29/09/2021 00:13

I drove our last car for a year or so with repaired chip with no problems. Wasn't an issue when we sold it either.

SuperStarRose · 29/09/2021 00:20

Most insurance covers this for free. They send auto glass out who fix it in a few hours and it magically disappears.

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