In today’s economy across Oregon, everyone is looking for ways to save money. While a cracked windshield may seem like an aesthetic issue you can ignore, it could be extremely dangerous to your safety.
Windshields play an essential structural role in supporting the roof of your car and allowing you to see the road clearly. While a single crack may not seem like a big issue, cracks can easily spread, weakening your glass and eventually obstructing your vision.
Far from saving money by getting a crack repaired as soon as possible, you may spend more having to replace the entire windshield.
Plus, in many cases, your insurance may cover windshield crack repair, helping you avoid the hard financial decision of getting your windshield fixed.
As auto glass professionals, we feel it’s important to educate drivers on the dangers of driving with a cracked windshield and explain why they should fix a crack as soon as possible.
Dangers of Driving with a Cracked Windshield
As you’ll see, windshield crack repair can impact the safety and legality of your vehicle.
1. Impaired Visibility
One of the most immediate and obvious dangers of a cracked windshield is reduced visibility on the road. Even small chips and cracks can distract and eventually obstruct your vision if they spread into major cracks. Some risks of a cracked windshield to your vision may include:
- Failure to see pedestrians and cyclists as they cross the road
- Inability to judge distances accurately
- Inability to gauge sudden stops by other vehicles
- Becoming blinded by car lights that reflect off of your cracked windshield
2. Weakened Structural Integrity
As previously stated, windshields are important in supporting your vehicle’s roof during an accident. It’s why cracks that fall near the edge of the windshield require replacement; they can weaken the bond of the windshield, thus making your roof more unstable.
In the event of a severe collision, your roof may even collapse entirely without the proper support of your windshield.
3. Windshield Shattering
A cracked or weakened windshield will also make it more likely for your windshield to shatter in the event of a head-on collision. Broken glass injuries are so common that they’ve created an entire industry of personal defense lawyers specializing in them.
4. Airbag Malfunction
Many people don’t realize that a properly functioning windshield is essential for airbags to work as intended. During a collision, the airbag system relies on the windshield to provide resistance so the airbags can deploy toward the occupants properly. If the windshield is cracked or damaged, it might not offer the necessary support, causing the airbags to fail or deploy incorrectly. This can lead to more severe injuries in what could have been a survivable accident.
5. Cracked Windshields Can be Illegal
Many states make it illegal to drive on public roads with a cracked windshield that may impact visibility. In Oregon, cracks or chips obstructing the driver’s vision are illegal. Likewise, officers are entitled to pull anyone over for a vehicle that is deemed unsafe to drive.
Factors that make Windshield Cracks Worse
One reason that we urge drivers to fix a cracked windshield immediately is that a crack can spread and get worse over time, eventually requiring you to replace the windshield glass. Some factors that contribute to this include:
- Temperature Fluctuations: Oregon’s cold winters can lead to rapid freeze-thaw cycles that allow moisture trapped inside windshield cracks to expand and lengthen the crack.
- Road Conditions: Rough roads, speed bumps, and potholes can cause vibrations that length cracks and help them penetrate deeper into your glass.
- Dirt and Debris: Dirt and debris trapped in the crack can make it more difficult to repair and may cause the crack to spread. This not only reduces visibility but also affects the integrity of the glass.
How Long Can I Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
Generally speaking, you should not drive with a cracked windshield at all if it:
- Obstructs your visibility
- Weakens your vehicle’s structural integrity
- Fails inspection
For smaller cracks and chips that can be repaired, we still urge you to get them fixed immediately or monitor the crack as you drive. Cracks or chips that begin to spread should prompt a trip to our shop immediately or a call for one of our mobile windshield repair vans.
Options to Fix a Cracked Windshield
Replacing a cracked windshield doesn’t have to be expensive or cost you much out of pocket. Here are a few things to remember when repairing a windshield crack.
Get a Professional Inspection
While many DIY kits are available, we recommend getting a professional inspection to determine whether your windshield can be repaired and how best to do so. Generally, a DIY repair kit can fill small chips smaller than a quarter or a couple of inches. However, cracks larger in size, those sitting at the edge of your windshield, or those in direct driver’s sight require professional repair or replacement.
Repair vs. Replacement
Determining whether to repair or replace a windshield depends on the extent of the damage.
- Repair: If the crack is smaller than a dollar bill and not in the driver’s line of sight, we can repair the damage by injecting a special resin. This prevents the crack from spreading further and restores some of the windshield’s structural integrity to its former self.
- Replacement: A full replacement is the safer option for larger cracks, especially those that compromise visibility or extend to the edges of the windshield.
Remember, the longer you wait to repair your windshield, the more likely it will need to be replaced.
Does Insurance Cover Windshield Crack Repair?
Most vehicles with comprehensive insurance coverage will qualify for their insurance to cover the cost of repair using their deductible. However, this depends on your insurance company and level of coverage. We work with all companies (State Farm excluded) to help you offset the cost of your repair using your insurance provider.
FAQs
Will my insurance cover windshield repair or replacement?
Many insurance policies cover windshield repair or replacement, though this depends on your specific policy and whether you have comprehensive coverage.
What happens if the crack spreads while I’m driving?
If a crack spreads while you’re driving, it can obstruct your view and even cause the windshield to shatter, leading to a dangerous situation.
Are cracked windshields illegal?
Laws vary by region, but in many areas, driving with a cracked windshield, especially if it obstructs visibility, is illegal.