Windscreen repair and windscreen replacement
Did you know, the glass in your vehicle serves numerous safety purposes, helping to keep you and your family safe? That’s why it’s important to not adopt a “she’ll be right” attitude if your windscreen is chipped or cracked.
Windscreen damage can range from minor through to significant. It’s important to understand the degree of damage is not always evident to the untrained eye and why it’s always best to get the help of someone in-the-know.
Got a windscreen chip? Get it fixed pronto
The good news is not all windscreens require replacement. Many chips are repairable, which can save you time and money. But don’t delay, as what starts as a small chip can quickly extend into a larger crack, especially if you’re travelling over uneven surfaces. Fortunately, windscreens are made from ‘safety glass’ which means they shouldn’t shatter on initial impact.
Windscreen glass consists of two pieces of glass bonded together with a transparent safety film. Generally, it is only the outer layer of glass that is damaged. This allows you to drive to your destination without compromising the safety of you or your passengers.
Even if the chip looks small, don’t try to repair it yourself. This can easily turn a small chip into a much bigger situation, not to mention potentially affect your ability to get a Warrant of Fitness.
If you have car insurance, it’s a good idea to check your policy or get in touch with your insurer as they will recommend where to go for the best service and guarantee. A quick ‘windscreen repair near me’ Google search will provide you the details of windscreen repairers in your area.
If you purchased a car policy online with AMP you can check your policy online to see if you're covered for windscreen repair, make an insurance claim, or contact us for more information.
How much does windscreen chip repair cost?
There are many factors that can affect the price of windscreen repair. Your starting point should always be your insurance policy if you have one. Some policies will cover windscreen repairs so it will cost you nothing! So, make sure to check with your insurer before getting your windscreen repaired (if possible) as it’s likely they’ll have preferred repairers, and they might even manage the process and payment for you.
If you don’t have insurance cover, the cost will depend on where the chip or crack is located, the size and spread, and any technology that might be built into your windscreen.
Reputable glass companies will assess the damage on the glass in accordance with the New Zealand Standard, to determine if the damage can be repaired safely, and will produce a Repair Certificate of compliance for Warrant of Fitness purposes once completed. This will likely save you time and money in the long run.
If you're insured with AMP, see our approved repairers and how to get your windscreen repair sorted. If you don't have car insurance cover yet, get a quote online or talk to an insurance specialist today.
Windscreen replacement
In some instances, auto glass will need to be replaced rather than repaired. This is a much more involved process that requires sourcing the right size and shape windscreen for your car, removing and replacing the windscreen, and also has an environmental cost as well. Sometimes, full windscreen replacement is unavoidable if the damage is within the direct vision of the driver’s side and the crack spreads extensively affecting any drive assist functionality.
Some policies have windscreen replacement cover options that you can add to your policy – check to see if you’ve selected this option. If not, you may need to pay an excess or choose to pay for the repair yourself. Regardless of which option you go with, stick with the professionals – you simply can’t put a price on safety!
New technology in windscreens
As cars have become more technologically advanced, so have their windscreens. What once may have been an easy repair has now become more involved. With cameras and sensors sitting behind windscreens becoming a lot more common in cars, the complexity to repair and replace windscreens has increased along with technology advancements. It’s important the repairer you choose is up to speed with the changing technology and maintains the safety standards that have been built into your vehicle by the manufacturer.
Be mindful of your surroundings
Stones and rocks flicking up from the road, flying debris or objects from other vehicles impacting the glass are some of the most common causes of windscreen damage. While it’s often hard to control these, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risks.
1. Be mindful of the road conditions
Keep focused on your surroundings and adjust your speed to the surface you’re travelling on. Take note of any temporary speed limits if work is underway on the road. It may seem slow, but if it saves you the inconvenience and potential cost of repairing your windscreen it might be worth it.
2. Keep your distance from the car in front
An easy way to reduce the risk of chips is to maintain a good distance away from the car in front of you, about two car lengths or more is suggested. However, if you’re travelling on loose gravel, or unsealed roads you may like to increase this.
3. Reduce your speed
This one's a bit of a no brainer but the faster you go, the more likely anything that hits your windscreen will cause greater impact and damage.
With all this information in mind, taking quick action in getting your windscreen repaired can be the difference between a repair and a replacement. If possible, cover the chip or crack so that dirt and grime doesn’t get caught inside (clear patches can be applied to protect the chip from dirt and dust). Make sure you don’t use anything that could obstruct the vision of the driver though.
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The information in this blog is of a general nature and does not constitute financial or other professional advice. Policy limits and exclusions apply - refer to the policy wording for full terms and conditions.