The answer to the question, “Can a cracked windshield be repaired?”, depends on a number of factors mostly pertaining to size, extent and location of the damage to the windshield. I have owned Bob’s Windshield Repair since 2008 and have fixed thousands of short and long windshield cracks; not to mention the much smaller windshield chips. So the short answer is that cracked windshields can indeed be repaired in many cases.
Current windshield repair standards classify short cracks as less than 6 inches and long cracks as between 6 to 14 inches. “Insurance companies” will typically tell you that a windshield must be replaced if the crack is over 6’’ long or “longer than a dollar bill”. Some “insurance companies” even say windshields need to be replaced if the damage is “longer than a credit card” … roughly 3.25 inches. Neither are technically correct.
While your insurance company is certainly within its rights to identify the damages that it will pay for and not pay for, there is actually a commercial repair standard for auto glass published by the National Windshield Repair Association identifying what types of damage can be safely repaired. Few know about it. I won’t speculate as to why, but this commercial auto glass repair standard, known as the Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS), states that the following windshield damage is repairable:
Repairable Windshield Cracks
- Bullseye: With a diameter no larger than one inch (25 mm).
- Combination Break: Diameter of body (excluding legs) not to exceed 2 inches (50 mm).
- Crack: No longer than 14 inches (350 mm).
- Half Moon (Partial Bullseye): With a diameter no larger than one inch (25 mm).
- Star Break: Diameter of the break not to exceed 3 inches (75 mm).
- Surface Pit: Damage with a diameter of not less than 1/8 inch (3 mm).
Cracked Windshield Repair Saves You Money in the Long Run
All of the windshield cracks detailed above are repairable. Your insurance may cover many windshield repairs. Most will cover and waive your deductible for cracks 6’’ and under. Even if your insurance company will not pay for your cracked windshield, it is still a smart move to get it fixed anyway in order to avoid an expensive replacement down the road. Don’t forget, we guarantee our work for as long as you own your vehicle and our prices are very reasonable.
