Windscreen chip - need sorting?

EdGasket

I've had two screens crack from very small chips. Best and cheapest option is to buy a DIY chip repair kit. Don't worry about trying to make the chips invisible, just get some resin in there to strengthen the glass as a prevention against the chip turning into a crack.

forgotmyname

Make sure the screen is nice and warm and not a damp day. The last thing you want is moisture trapped in there.

That will freeze and expand and crack also.

Bazrael

Just as a warning, 'free' windscreen repairs are not free. I received my renewal quote for my car, and then the next day came across a repairer. I checked it would not affect my policy with him, and he confirmed it. A few days later I received a new renewal quote, increased by £20.

When I objected the company said that whilst a windscreen claim does not affect my no claims discount (which was protected in any case), it does affect the premium. How being conscientious enough to have my windscreen repaired before it breaks makes me a greater insurance risk is beyond me, but there we go.

londonTiger

i have a pretty bad driving record.

1 fault accident in a hire car, in my defence I didnt drive in 5 years (since I passed my test). Had really poor road skills. Pulled out on a roundabout and other car hit me.

1 notification for a minor scrape on my bumper by a hit and run driver that I didn't catch. Should have let that slide and not disclose.

1 non fault accident, parked car pulled in front of me while I was driving along a residential road.

So a windscreen claim is going to be pushing it. It does not affect NCD but it will affect premiums.


Also, not all chips need to be bothered with.

A diple chip is fine, a star shaped chip that has crack lines can expand further and create a crack in extreme conditions.

A chip repairer will use a pointy tool and hammer to round out the stars.

The resin they use is most just cosmetic ( so is the DIY windscreen chip repairs). The real work is when they break out the stars into round bulbs.

Star chips: (need serious atention). This paticular one is too far deep to be fixed. It goes all the way in. A star chip that's only penetrated a few mms in can be tapped out and sealed.


bullseye chip (little risk, just needs resin filler)

TrickyWicky

Iceweasel wrote: »

If you have comprehensive cover Autoglass will do a chip repair at no cost to you, and no insurance excess etc. But check well first.

My experience with them and my partners, neighbours and a few other folks is that they'll come out and claim they can't repair the chip as it will just crack and the windscreen will need to be replaced. You pay them the £80 excess and they do the screen with a smile. Tell them you'd rather try the chip repair first and watch the smile vanish when they only get ten quid off you. I watched one guy repair y partners chipped screen once and it took longer than a screen replacement.

The guy also admitted that they're commission based and that most of their pay comes from those £80 excess's.

Go figure..

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

I ignored a chip at the bottom of my heated windscreen for more than a year with no problem. Then last winter, with the screen iced over, the heating element kicked in and I watched a crack grow from the chip to 18 inches in a matter of seconds.

Lol, thats nothing! I slammed on the brakes once in order to avoid hitting a rabit in the road. Heard a funny crunching sound and thought nothing of it. Got out the car, shoo'd the rabit away, jumped back in and found a huge crack along the bottom of the windscreen - over a foot long

nickcc

Daughter had a chip repair carried out and two days later the screen cracked. Fortunately the insurer/repair company fitted a new screen and didn't charge the £75 excess due to the inconvenience caused. Week later stone hit the screen and chipped again, Sod's law I suppose, Daughters now sold the car

only_mee

Be thankful it's not as bad as this