Windshield chips

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Is there a way / kit to DIY fix them? Some sort of fill like Elite uses?
I'm spending a small fortune on this.

[newracer]

I have seen DIY kits at auto stores and walmart before.

[Spdu4ia]

I've used the 3m kit but at about $20 a chip it isn't cheap and it doesn't work as well as the chip repair places

[SAnd]

Have you called your insurance people? A while back I took my pick up in to have the windshield replaced because of a bunch of small chips. I was going to pay cash because the original quote was about 20% of my deductible. The windshield people called my insurance company. My insurance company paid for the cost of the windshield and materials. It saved me about 80%. I was glad the shop asked if the could check with my insurance company.

[jmg8550]

The home kits suck. Most insurance companies cover chip repair. Safelite/Elite guarantees their repair. The key is to open up the chip, and make sure it's clean. Also, do not do it if the glass is too cold or hot. And keep the vehicle indoors. Most of the chip fillers are UV curing resins. If you do it outdoors, the resin will cure before it really fills in the chip. Believe me when I say chip repair requires a finesse that can only come from experience. Every chip is different, and you have to know how to go about the repair. Opening the chip up can spread the chip beyond repair if too much pressure is applied, or the wrong technique is used.

[funkymonkey1111]

Is there a way / kit to DIY fix them? Some sort of fill like Elite uses?
I'm spending a small fortune on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK1kpSZpMPM

the kit used in this video is available at wal-mart. don't know how good they are, but you can see how it works in the video

[sniper7]

Typically even your cheapest insurance companies will pay for small cracks and chips to get filled. Better ones have total glass coverage that doesn't require your deductible to be used so you can get a free windshield without premiums going up.

i had Geico and they covered chips at no cost. Now with Allstate I have glass coverage so if I get a crack, new windshield is covered.

[Dave_L]

i had Geico and they covered chips at no cost. Now with Allstate I have glass coverage so if I get a crack, new windshield is covered.

Allstate covers chips too as long as you have comprehensive coverage. But when you have free windshield benefit, not much motivation to have chips repaired.

[Colorado Fatboy]

Be aware some insurance companies count this as a claim against you. A few years back I was shopping around for insurance and was told by an insurance company they would not cover me because I had too many claims. I said WTF are you talking about, I haven't made a claim in years. They said oh yes you have, three windshield repairs in the last two years.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

to everyone. I may try one of the at-home kits. However....

Be aware some insurance companies count this as a claim against you. A few years back I was shopping around for insurance and was told by an insurance company they would not cover me because I had too many claims. I said WTF are you talking about, I haven't made a claim in years. They said oh yes you have, three windshield repairs in the last two years.

...this in spades. This being my concern. Those of you guys "with coverage" etc - I'd be a little careful. I got dropped from State Farm on auto, and we admittedly had several other things going on (speeding tickets, etc), but when it happened, I called my agent furious and he started looking through and said he wish he'd noticed my windshield activity. His own son (employed by agency) kept telling us to replace the windshields, and then after it was done, our agent himself said that was a big cause. Already this was probably 5 years ago, but I wasn't getting chips fixed. What did I do? I'd let chips turn to crack and then get a new windshield. Who wants a pitted out window, right? It wasn't like 3 in 3 years, it was more like 3 / year for a couple of years. They weren't cheap ones, either, although a few were cheap ones on the wrangler.

I now have Farmers and they supposedly cover all the chips (and windshields), but State Farm supposedly covered all the windshields without issue either. They did, until I hit too many without warning. So, this winter I've had two fixed so far, and probably have 2-3 more. Paid cash for one, let Farmers get the other, but I definitely don't trust an insurance company to say "nah, bro, it don't affect your rates or claims or nuttin!" Yeah, right.

Also love how Elite charges LESS to insurance than they do for cash. Definitely UNLIKE the health insurance analogy.