preventing stone windshield rock chips

[Jstpssng]

Unfortunately for me the only time I ever had a busted windshield was on a 1997 GMC hunting truck that I didn't carry full coverage on, so no free windshield for me, I payed for it out of my pocket and didn't even go through insurance.

I bought one 2 years ago for $500. Comprehensive will cover glass as well as deer and other animal incidents but that's less than my deductible.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I bought one 2 years ago for $500. Comprehensive will cover glass as well as deer and other animal incidents but that's less than my deductible.

I don't remember the exact amount I payed but it was cheaper than my deductible.

 

[jyoutz]

I didn't read through all 4 pages , so forgive me if this has already been said, but in Florida if you have full coverage insurance on your vehicle and your windshield is damaged for any reason , your insurance company is required to pay for it to be replaced in full at zero charge to you, no deductible. Do any other states insurance laws mandate this? Just curious.

When I lived in Arizona that was also the case.

 

[Jstpssng]

Years ago I took a defensive driving course at work. The instructor was talking about how windshields get pitted from the gravel used on roads in winter "so every couple of years take a hammer to it as the insurance company won't mind paying for a new one."
I've often wondered how the insurance companies felt about that advice.

 

[dadohead]

I have full coverage. Still a $500 deductible. Tx insurance. Insurance wise....nothing
is free here.

Same in Wisconsin.

I mentioned we're on our 3rd windshield on a 2022 Toyota: $750/glass. Used insurance first replacement; then got a rate bump. Second time out of pocket.

 

[Gee Ray]

They are correct in Florida your glass is replaced for free. And as soon as your policy is up for renewalthe rates, go up. So you end up paying for it anyway. So you might as well take it out of your pocket.

 

[SwingOak]

A very long time ago, my landlord had this thing like a small shock absorber that went between the dashboard and the bottom center of the windshield. I remember it had a picture of hand on it as a “stop” gesture. He said it was called a “Moroccan hand”, as taxi drivers in Morocco drive with one hand on the windshield to absorb and dampen the impact from stone strikes to prevent chips and cracks. This was pre-Internet, and I’ve never seen one for sale anywhere or on the web, so perhaps it was just a gimmick.

 

[Pinecrest]

Hello to all,

Based on a lot of Interstate driving, having small rocks hit the windshield happens too often. Are there any new technologies that help prevent the chipping and resultant cracks? Never had one installed, but they used to have those plastic "air-lifts" installed on the front of the hood. Do those work or are they obsolete?

thank you in-advance for your suggestions.

Every rock that has hit and broken my windshield has been projected like it was shot out of a gun. I doubt a wind defector would help?
I have used J-B Weld's Windshield Saver kit [Wal-Mart $12] and it Works if you use it early. Comes with a syringe to pressure pack the RESIN.
When using it be careful not to put the whole tube of resin in at first as you need some at the end + I save some to stop the crack immediately
when I get one. Seems like it works a long time but usually after a year I get a new windshield or car ....and then I get another crack. Says it will repair up to 1-1/4" diameter.

 

[Pinecrest]

Anyone ever try using crazy glue to stop the cracks from spreading? Seen some clips all along, looks plausible...

J-B Weld Windshield Saver kit works up to 1-1/4" ding [Wal-mart $12]....last for over a year UV cure and syringe forces it into damaged and cracked area.

 

[WinterDeere]

...drivers in Morocco drive with one hand on the windshield to absorb and dampen the impact from stone strikes to prevent chips and cracks.

It's a sign of living thru the 1990's, that my mind went immediately to, "did Mythbusters do an episode on this?" Well, damn...

 

[window]

I didn't read through all 4 pages , so forgive me if this has already been said, but in Florida if you have full coverage insurance on your vehicle and your windshield is damaged for any reason , your insurance company is required to pay for it to be replaced in full at zero charge to you, no deductible. Do any other states insurance laws mandate this? Just curious.

Yes, but 3 repairs in 6 months (or something like that) will get you a letter from your insurance company saying you're being dropped. That happened to me 25 years ago.

 

[Code54]

A lot also has to do with the kind of vehicle you drive. Some have a "flatter" profile (think Jeeps, newer Land Cruisers) and these break a lot more windshields as the rock does not contact at a longer angle and more impact is absorbed. I know some Jeep guys that seem to change a windshield every 3rd oil change.....

In WV you have to pay your deductable to have the windshield replaced with insurance.

 

[jyoutz]

Every rock that has hit and broken my windshield has been projected like it was shot out of a gun. I doubt a wind defector would help?
I have used J-B Weld's Windshield Saver kit [Wal-Mart $12] and it Works if you use it early. Comes with a syringe to pressure pack the RESIN.
When using it be careful not to put the whole tube of resin in at first as you need some at the end + I save some to stop the crack immediately
when I get one. Seems like it works a long time but usually after a year I get a new windshield or car ....and then I get another crack. Says it will repair up to 1-1/4" diameter.

When I get windshield chip repairs, it only costs $25 without insurance and I’ve never had it crack again in the same location.

 

[dadohead]

When I get windshield chip repairs, it only costs $25 without insurance and I’ve never had it crack again in the same location.

Yes, as mentioned earlier though, you can see the repair. Great option if it's out of line-of-sight.

 

[jyoutz]

Yes, as mentioned earlier though, you can see the repair. Great option if it's out of line-of-sight.

I was pointing out that it’s hardly worth the fuss for trying a DIY repair.

 

[RESINC]

Hello to all,

Based on a lot of Interstate driving, having small rocks hit the windshield happens too often. Are there any new technologies that help prevent the chipping and resultant cracks? Never had one installed, but they used to have those plastic "air-lifts" installed on the front of the hood. Do those work or are they obsolete?

thank you in-advance for your suggestions.

The only thing that works is removing the windshield and drive without one. 100% guarantee!

 

[Aggie66]

Google Amazon “windshield chip repair kits” I’ve used these successfully. May not totally obscure the chip damage but prevents a crack developing.

 

[WinterDeere]

The only thing that works is removing the windshield and drive without one. 100% guarantee!

Much easier in the Carolinas, than North Dakota. Of course, with the size of some of the flying insects in Florida or Alabama, the no windshield in south ain't exactly without its own perils.

 

[Torvy]

We got the sticker shock from replacing the newer ones.

Apparently the driver-assistance features need to be calibrated.

My pea brain can't understand how that makes enough sense to matter. It's still just glass, the camera and sensors are not integrated.

 

[eco88]

Glue them as soon as they happen. $15 windshield glue kit, in the hardware store or online.

And no, you don't have to tailgate to get one. Sometimes it's worse being further away back where the stone has had time to pick up some height bouncing and some momentum, than being few feet behind and your grill eating it instead of your windshield.