How a Timely Windshield Chip Repair Can Put You in a Better Position Financially

You have a chip in your windshield and have been meaning to do something about it. Perhaps you are of the mind that if left alone the crack will only grow and put a full replacement on your bill, but then again you may be putting it off not being certain it is worth the hassle.

We at Auto Glass on the Move are used to fielding such questions from our East Bay clientele; we have been doing so since 1979. As an Oakland firm we are independently owned and run by a family, making us one of the most established auto glass concerns in these parts. Give us a ring at (510) 616-4678 to have a chat with someone well versed in auto glass.

In brief: what is an inexpensive matter to put right now will be a far more involved project down the road once the windshield is cracked. Here is the reason for that.

Why the Chip Will Not Remain as It Is

There is more to a windshield than a pane of glass. Ours is a safety device in two layers with a plastic interlayer in between. An impact from a rock or some debris on the road will make a chip in the outer layer. To all appearances it is nothing to worry over, yet it is a weak spot under no end of stress.

The kind of stress a windshield is subjected to on a daily basis does not abate:

• The difference in temperature from a cold morning to an afternoon
• Rough roads and potholes causing vibration
• Your defroster or air conditioning
• The vehicle frame flexing when you are behind the wheel
• A car wash or rain on warm glass

One of those things is enough to make a stable chip spread into a crack. Then a repair is out of the question and you are faced with replacing the whole thing.

It Is a Matter of Cost

A technician can get in there and inject resin into the chip, cure it and have the glass as clear and strong as before. It is a quick, precise job and uses none of the time or material of a replacement.

Replacing the glass is a bigger order of business. We have to remove the old one, prep and clean the frame and put in new adhesive, and let it cure. With some of the newer cars an ADAS recalibration is in order to reset the sensors and cameras, something we do in house so you don’t have to make a trip to the dealership. But if you have the damage seen to early on with a repair, you are spared the trouble altogether.

Insurance Considerations

Most drivers are not aware that auto glass is a no-fault claim under comprehensive coverage. Vandalism, theft and rock chips will not show up as an increase in your premiums.

We work directly with the insurance company on the claim and are approved by just about every major one. For a chip repair the customer has little to put down out of pocket. You won’t find many local shops that can say they are a preferred vendor for LYNX, Safelite and Enterprise like we are.

Do Not Wait to Have It Fixed

People tend to underestimate how quickly a repairable chip becomes unrepairable after a hard drive on the freeway or a cold spell. All too often we see drivers who have waited for the crack to propagate and have no choice but to replace the windshield.

We can have one of our mobile units from Alameda or Contra Costa County come to you at home or work in any number of cities in the East Bay, from Pleasanton and Fremont to Concord, Hayward, Walnut Creek, Berkeley and Oakland. There is no charge for the service.

Some facts on us:

• We hold California Automotive Repair Dealer License #297376
• Our workmanship is warranted for the life of the vehicle
• We stand behind a 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Every piece of glass is in keeping with OEM and Department of Transportation specifications
• Our installers are certified to OEM standards

We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm and Sunday 9:00am to noon.

The least expensive way to deal with a chip is to attend to it forthwith. Call us at (510) 616-4678 and we will see to it at Auto Glass on the Move before it has a chance to spread.