Winter Auto Glass Care: Preventing Windshield Chips and Cracks

Has it ever happened that you’re driving down a sunny lane, welcoming the morning commotion, humming to your favorite tunes when a vehicle passes you and your windshield is hit with a small rock? Now your windshield cracked and you don’t know who is responsible.    Do you take it up with the other vehicle’s driver, contact your insurance company to cover the cost, ignore the damage, or choose between a dealership vs an auto glass shop for windshield replacement and pay out of your pocket?   This article addresses the common question, ‘If a rock hits my windshield, who is responsible?’ and guides you through claiming insurance, determining liability, and preventive measures. Let’s get started!   Understanding Windshield Damage from Rocks Road debris strikes are an undesirable but frequent occurrence. However, there are many variables that affect the damage the windshield takes, including your speed, the speed of the other car, the state and quality of your windshield, etc. It is important to understand what caused the windshield to crack.   Your windshield may chip or break from a rock striking it, making driving dangerous and jeopardizing the structural integrity of the car. If a car is driven with a cracked windshield, the body of your car becomes compromised which may collapse the roof, thus harming you and your passengers. But how do you get it fixed? You can go to a dealership or an auto glass shop for windshield repair or replacement as per the requirement.   Determining Liability You must be wondering, “If a rock hits my windshield, who is responsible?” Is it the vehicle that caused the rock to fly and hit your windshield or your insurance company? It is important to understand factors like road conditions, speed, and driving behavior as these help determine who is liable. The question now arises is – Who is responsible if a rock hits your windshield?   If a rock comes directly from the back of a truck and hits your windshield, the company or the truck may be held accountable. Your comprehensive insurance policy should cover this type of harm. It is advisable to contact your insurance company and explain the situation in detail.   Insurance Coverage for Windshield Damage In most cases, your insurance company covers the cost of repairing a damaged windshield. However, the extent and cause of the damage will decide the coverage and deductible. If you have complete glass coverage, the cost of replacing or repairing your windshield might only require a small or nonexistent deductible.   You must get in touch with your insurance company to learn if your insurance policy would cover the damage and how you can claim it.   Preventive Measures to Avoid Windshield Damage If your windshield is damaged, it obstructs your view, potentially leading to an accident. Thus, the following precautions should be followed to prevent windshield damage:   Keep some distance between you and other vehicles to avoid taking a hit from road debris. Drive at an acceptable speed. Driving at a higher speed is like an open invitation for foreign objects to collide with greater force and crack or damage your windshield. Park your car indoors or under protection to prevent the sun from weakening your shield by expanding the glass in the heat. You must regularly clean your windshield and maintain a complete check on the wiper blades so that it does not clog up.   Steps to Take After Your Windshield is Hit A chipped, cracked, or damaged windshield endangers not just your safety but that of other passengers as well. If your windshield has been damaged, you can do the following:   Evaluate the Damage When hit by a rock or any other form of debris, you must focus on being calm and check if any passenger was harmed. Once you have ensured your and the safety of others, get out of your car and evaluate the impact. The damage can vary based on the speed, size, and nature of the impact.   Contact Your Insurance Company If your windshield is substantially damaged, do not drive the vehicle. Call for immediate roadside assistance. However, if the damage is not much, drive back home and get in touch with your insurance company and explain the problem.   Schedule the Windshield Repair or Replacement You need to start fixing your damaged windshield as soon as you can. You can make repair arrangements with your insurance company; they can direct you to the right auto glass body shop or even arrange for a repairman to visit your home. After examining your vehicle, they will decide whether the chip or crack can be fixed or if a new windshield is necessary.   Conclusion As a car owner, if you are trying to navigate the question, ‘If a rock hits my windshield, who is responsible?’, the above guide will be helpful.   While it is difficult to assign blame for the small rock that damaged your windshield, your insurance company will walk you through the procedure. Driving with a broken or chipped windshield is unsafe and it should be repaired immediately. Once your windshield has been repaired or replaced, thanks to Auto Glass America, it’s time to take your car for a spin and get lost in the music again.

The tеrms likе “windshiеld” and “windscrееn” arе oftеn usеd intеrchangеably in our day-to-day convеrsation. Howеvеr, many might bе surprisеd to know that thеsе tеrms havе distinct origins and yеt rеfеr to thе samе componеnt of a vеhiclе. The difference is with their regional preference. To understand the distinction, we have delved into the linguistic roots, regional preferences, the evolution of automotive terminology, and the technicalities of their uses in other contexts.   Historical and Linguistic Context The term “windshield” originated in the United States, while “windscreen” is primarily British. Historically, vehicles were open to the elements. The first screens were not so much about protecting against the wind as they were about shielding against other elements like dust, mud, and insects. Thе initial scrееns wеrе simplе barriеrs, and as thе vеhiclеs еvolvеd, thеsе scrееns bеcamе intеgratеd parts of thе vеhiclе dеsign.   In thе еarly days of motoring, both in thе UK and thе US, vеhiclеs wеrе oftеn opеn-toppеd. Thе addition of a scrееn to shiеld from thе wind was a significant advancеmеnt. Givеn thе British affinity for thе word “scrееn” and thе Amеrican prеfеrеncе for “shiеld,” it’s not surprising that еach rеgion dеvеlopеd its own tеrm.   Regional Preferences In the US and Canada, “windshield” is primarily used nowadays, but “windscreen” is preferred in the UK, Australia, and many other Commonwealth countries. The terminology used by automakers to promote their vehicles in various countries is modified in accordance with these regional linguistic preferences.   For instance, a car owner in America could hunt for a “windshield replacement“, whereas a car owner in Britain might look for a “windscreen replacement.” A lot of times, the terminology used in the region where a vehicle is sold is altered in the handbook.   Functional Similarities Despite the linguistic differences, both windshields and windscreens perform the same core function. Here’s what they do:   Protect Against Wind and Debris: These windows primarily shield the car’s occupants from moving debris and incoming wind, as their names imply.   Contribute to Structural Integrity: In contemporary automobiles, the windshield or windscreen serves as both a protective barrier and a crucial structural component, frequently enhancing the stiffness and overall safety of the vehicle.   House Technology: These components are now more than just passive safety barriers thanks to developments in vehicle technology. They frequently have sensors or incorporated heads-up displays.   Accommodation for Sensors: Modern cars use a variety of sensors and cameras, particularly for functions like rain detection, lane departure alerts, and other things. They can be accommodated by windshields/windscreens without affecting how they work.   Safety: Windshields/windscreens are made of laminated safety glass, which means they are built using two pieces of glass with a layer of vinyl in between. This provides additional protection in the event of an accident. Due to the design, there is less chance of injury if the glass breaks but still mainly remains intact, with the pieces clinging to the vinyl rather than flying around.   Technical and Contextual Differences While both terms primarily refer to the front glass protection on a vehicle, they can have slightly different connotations in different contexts:   Aviation: In aviation, both terms can be found, but “windscreen” is more commonly used, especially when referring to commercial or larger aircraft. This can be attributed to the global influence of British aviation terminology.   Motorcycles and Bicycles: For two-wheelers, the term “windscreen” is often used globally to describe the protective screen, even in American English. However, “windshield” can still be heard, particularly among American bikers.   Non-Automotive Uses: The term “windscreen” also sees usage outside of automotive contexts. For instance, in audio recording, a windscreen is a foam or furry cover placed over a microphone to reduce wind noise. In this context, “windshield” isn’t typically used.   Construction and Design In terms of their actual construction, there’s no difference between a windshield and a windscreen. Modern vehicle screens, regardless of what they are called, are made using laminated glass, designed to stay intact even upon impact. This safety feature ensures that, in the event of a collision, the glass doesn’t shatter into sharp shards that could harm occupants. Instead, it forms a spider-web like pattern, remaining largely in place. Advancements in technology have also introduced features like UV protection, rain sensors, de-icing capabilities, and heads-up displays, further enhancing the functionality of this vital vehicle component.   Takeaway In essence, the difference between a windshield and a windscreen boils down to regional language preferences and minor contextual differences. The terms have evolved side by side, reflecting the historical development and cultural nuances of the English language across the globe. Whether you use “windshield” or “windscreen,” the importance of this component in ensuring safety, comfort, and a clear view of the road remains paramount.

Have you ever been blinded by a sudden glare through your windshield? If yes, you are one of those several car owners who have been oblivious to the natural wear and tear to your windshield, which is known as .   The small windshield pits can create a glare and momentarily distract you. It just takes seconds for you to veer off the road or collide with another vehicle, endangering you and everyone in the vehicle.    In this blog, we will learn how to identify windshield pitting and its causes. Let us explore DIY solutions for minor windshield pitting and professional auto glass replacement if the damage is severe.   It is better to be safe than to be sorry, so let us get to know some measures to prevent your windshield from being damaged by pitting.   Identifying Windshield Pitting Identifying windshield pitting is easy. You know that your windshield is pitted when you experience any one of these.    Hazy sight or trouble seeing clearly when driving in the sun or rain. Feeling small pits or craters when moving your fingertips on your windshield’s surface. Light distortion when driving against sunlight or bright lights. Finding pits under natural or artificial light sources as they become visible when light hits them at certain angles. Causes of Windshield Pitting Windshield pitting occurs gradually over time, and you notice it only after considerable damage is done to your windshield. Pitting can also affect the side and back windshields.    Understanding the causes of windshield pitting can help you avoid these and delay the damage to your windshield. Here are some of the causes of windshield pitting.    1. Debris   Sand, dust, pebbles, or other tiny debris may fly and hit your windshield while driving your vehicle. The speed at which it hits can cause small pits on your windshield. Repeated debris exposure can cause the pitting to spread.    The damage due to the debris is compounded when you regularly drive at higher speeds on busy highways.    2. Extreme Weather Conditions    Frequent expansion and contraction of the windshield due to weather conditions can cause windshield pitting. Driving in areas with dirt and dust swirling around constantly due to heavy winds might cause deep pits.    3. Exposure to Chemicals   If your windshield is exposed to chemicals in acid rain or bird droppings, it can cause windshield pitting. Hard water can also leave calcium residues on the windshield, which might act as grit and cause pitting when wipers are used.    4. Improper Cleaning    Improper cleaning techniques with abrasive scourers or cleaning products can cause damage to the windshield.    5. Age of the Vehicle   An older windshield is more prone to pitting at the slightest impact than a newer one.   Although windshield pitting might seem insignificant initially, the more pitting, the greater the driving hazard. Also, it is better to repair the windshield even if the pitting is not on the driver’s side. So, how can we fix a pitted windshield?   DIY Solutions for Minor Pitting An internet search for DIY solutions to repair a pitted windshield might throw up many options.   However, videos advocating filling the pits or polishing the pitted windshield can do more harm by making the windshield uneven. To be precise, the DIY options to fix a pitted windshield are limited.   Since DIY solutions don’t work well, the best solution for windshield pitting is to seek professional windshield repair or replacement.   Professional Solutions for Severe Pitting If your windshield pitting is minor, your auto glass technician might sand in the pits, buff, and polish it.      Pitting compromises the strength of the windshield, and it might shatter at the slightest impact, putting you in grave danger. Considering that the windshield is a major security feature of your vehicle, it is better to replace it with a severely pitted windshield.   Preventive Measures Since it is not entirely possible to deter windshield pitting, it is better to follow certain preventive measures to minimize its occurrence. Here are some:   1. Better Driving Habits It is a known fact that driving on gravel and debris-laden roads can cause pitting. You need to exercise caution and drive slowly on such roads. Leave adequate distance between your vehicle and the car in front to reduce sandblasting effects. 2. Ponder on Your Parking If you are concerned that driving can cause pitting, parking can, too. Try to park in an enclosed space away from direct wind. If that is not always possible, ensure that you park with your windshield away from direct heat and wind or near a fence that can act as a windbreaker.    3. Wiper Care Maintaining your windshield is a great way to prevent windshield pitting. Try to replace the wiper blades every year or keep the wiper blades clean from grit so that they don’t damage the windshields.   Conclusion Car owners often consider only a huge crack or chip on the windshield as a potential driving hazard and tend to ignore windshield pitting since it is less obvious. Despite the subtler magnitude of damage, windshield pitting is equally dangerous when ignored over a long period.   Depending on the extent of damage, you need to have your windshield repaired or replaced to prevent visibility problems while driving. However, both these services can be expensive if your insurance doesn’t cover them, and sometimes, your windshield might be replaced by a poor-quality alternative.   If you are looking for a cost-effective yet quality windshield replacement in Florida, Auto Glass America is the right choice. With over ten years of experience in windshield replacement, you can be assured of professional auto glass repair and replacement with premium materials.