Getting a chip or crack on your windscreen can happen to any driver without warning. Common causes of these include rocks on the road, which can be sent flying by other cars passing by. Falling debris from the back of trucks and vans can even lead to damage on the windscreen for unfortunate motorists.
Questions such as whether it’s safe and legal to continue driving will undoubtedly spring to mind. But even a small chip could develop into a large crack on the windscreen, creating a weak spot in the glass which could cause it to eventually shatter.
In this guide we’ll answer questions you may have regarding how to handle windscreen damage in certain scenarios and other ways it could affect you.
I’ve just noticed a chip or crack while driving, is it safe to continue?
In the majority of cases, cars will still be ok to drive even when a chip or crack has emerged on the windscreen, so no need to panic. However, you should get the damage looked at by a windscreen repair specialist or at a garage as soon as possible. Ignore the chip or crack for too long and it can easily develop into something more serious and costly.
Across most areas of the windshield, damage larger than 40mm across will lead to failure if the car is taken for an MOT test (for reference, a £2 coin measures about 28mm across).
You could also end up with a fixed penalty notice from the police if they see you driving with damage to this extent. If there’s any damaged area on your windscreen larger than 40mm, it’s wise to avoid driving your car altogether and, depending on where it occurs, consider calling for roadside repair if possible.
What if the damage is obstructing my view?
Depending on how large it is, a chip or crack in front of the driver’s view can be very obstructive. It can also affect the performance of windscreen wipers.
In the driver’s line of vision, a chip or crack that’s more than only 10mm across is enough to fail an MOT. To put that in perspective, that's slightly less than the size of a 5p coin. If the damage is this severe, you’re better off avoiding driving your car and getting it fixed pronto.
Even if the chip or crack is tiny, it can still be very distracting and annoying if it’s within the driver’s viewpoint, so its effects on how you drive should not be underestimated.
If you crash your car because you couldn’t see properly through a chip or crack in your windscreen, then you can be charged with driving without due care and attention and miss out on an insurance claim.
Is it easy to get a windscreen repaired?
The majority of windscreen chips can be repaired in an inexpensive manner. Damage larger than 40mm can sometimes be repaired, but this depends on where it’s located on the windscreen. If the damage is in front of the driver’s vision then only if it’s less than 10mm can it be realistically fixed without needing a replacement windscreen.
When dealing with windscreen damage, a specialist will first clean and dry the damaged area and fill it in with a clear resin which has similar properties to glass. This repair job should be practically invisible and should restore the windscreen’s strength.
Can I claim for repair or replacement on my insurance?
First of all, you’re not obligated to pay through your insurance, companies that repair windscreens will accept cash or a credit/debit card. However, it’s worth checking with your insurance company if you have windscreen cover included in your policy and they have an arrangement with a particular windscreen repair company.
Will an insurance claim for my windscreen affect the no claims bonus?
It is very unlikely that a chip or crack in your windscreen will affect your no claims bonus. Just to be certain though, it’s worth checking the details of your insurance policy.