It is now arguably an inescapable fact of life that if you read the paper, watch the television or listen to the radio that sooner or later you will come across a windscreen repair and replacement advertisement. We all know that such companies promote the idea that you should pay great care and attention to your windscreen and be vigilant as to the appearance of any chips. If any do appear they say, you should have it fixed immediately or you could see the windscreen crack and break, having serious financial implications. The problem is that these messages are arguably falling on deaf ears: consumers are either not bothered about a problem which has not yet affected them or else they areso fed up of the same adverts repeated again and again that it does not go in. This article looks at the key messages that windscreens replacement and repair companies seek to promote to see whether they really are worth knowing about.
Windscreens replacement and repair: the basics
Although the adverts warn of the possibility of chips turning into cracks, the general assumption is that this is highly unlikely as car glass seems very thick and stable. In addition to this many of us will have driven around with a small chip on our windshields and not even have noticed. However, in addressing both of these common happenings the reality is that windscreens are not as tough as you may at first think. Yes they are designed to protect the driver and its occupants and ensure that the car is protected from the elements, but ultimately the windshield is made of glass and glass is not invincible. Furthermore, once the structural integrity of it has been compromised it will consequently be weaker. Chips may occur from bits of gravel flung up by other cars or even acts of vandalism. In the case of the former you may be unlikely to notice them, but as windshield glass is of such a high density the chip will inevitably turn into a crack, it is just a question of time. One of the catalysing factors is cold weather: particularly cold weather can quickly turn a chip into a crack. It seems then that although you may choose to ignore a chip or simply fail to spot it, in the end your windscreen will very likely crack, it is just a question of when. As a result the adverts telling you to address a chip sooner rather than later are worth paying heed to, and the message that chips really do turn into big cracks is not just an advertising stunt!
Windscreens replacement and repair: the financial factors
The consequence of a cracked windscreen is that it will probably need replacing whereas a chipped windscreen could be repaired. The claims made by many adverts centre around the idea that it is free to have your windscreen repaired and that if you do this you will avoid having to pay the insurance excess if you end up needing a replacement. As a society we are however sceptical about the concept of something for nothing and sound bites like it will be free could just as easily alienate a potential consumer as it could attract them. The reality of the situation is that it all depends on factors such as which company you are insured with and their relevant windscreen policy. It may be free for some, but for others a small contribution or excess may be payable. However this could then affect later claims or premiums so you need to contact the insurer and weigh up your options. In any event even if you are not covered the cost of repairing a windscreen is modest when compared to replacing a whole screen. However, if this is what is required, do not despair: there are numerous companies offering great value replacement services like Motor Glazing. If you do a little shopping around you will likely be able to find someone to fit a new windscreen reasonably cheaply. One helpful tip may be to look out for a regional firm rather than a national one, such as looking for a replacement company working in Kent or the South East for example if you live in that area. All in all therefore the two key messages we have become accustomed to really are worth paying attention to: beware of chips, as they will likely become cracks, and get a repair in order to avoid a replacement visit website.
