Repair or replace?
The windscreen is made of laminated glass, two layers of glass with a film in between. A stone chip usually only hits the outer layer and is filled with clear resin during the repair, which stabilises the spot.
As a rule, damage can be repaired if it is smaller than a two-euro coin, not in the driver’s direct line of sight and not too close to the edge. If a crack is already running from it, the windscreen usually has to be replaced. Side and rear windows are mostly made of toughened safety glass, shatter into small pieces when they break and are replaced.
Do not wait too long
A small chip can quickly turn into a crack, often because of temperature changes: the heater on an ice-cold windscreen, the air conditioning in high summer, cold water on hot glass. Until the appointment, clear adhesive tape keeps dirt and moisture out. Damage in the field of vision can count as a defect at the HU, the German roadworthiness test.
When the windscreen has to come out
The windscreen is bonded in and contributes to the rigidity of the body. After fitting, the adhesive has to cure before the car is driven again. A camera behind the glass for the lane-keeping or emergency braking assistant must be calibrated after the replacement according to the manufacturer’s specification. For US models that were never officially sold in Europe, we clarify beforehand which windscreen fits and when it will arrive.
Glass damage and partial comprehensive cover
Many policies with partial comprehensive cover (Teilkasko) include glass breakage. Your insurer can tell you what your policy covers and whether there is an excess to pay. To book an appointment, write to us at info@autohausfritz.com or call +49 34604 348-0, Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 17:00.
What customers often ask
Will the stone chip still be visible after the repair?
Usually a small dot remains visible, but it is much less noticeable than before. What matters more is that the spot is stable again.
Can I keep driving with a stone chip?
With a small chip outside the field of vision, generally yes, but not indefinitely, because it can crack further. If a crack restricts your view, the car may be considered no longer roadworthy.
Does a repair kit from a DIY store help?
With a very small, fresh chip it can work. If it fails, air and dirt stay trapped in the damage, and a professional repair becomes more difficult.