Here in the Lone Star State, we have a few rules and laws that aren’t exactly the same as our inter-state neighbors. And laws on driving safety are no exception. It’s important to know when to replace your windshield so you’re not driving onto the interstate with a wish for something sinister. With that in mind, we wanted to bring you a quick FAQ list for knowing what a windshield replacement means, (what not replacing your windshield means) and pretty much everything you might need to know about what goes down with your glass repair. 1. Is It Safe to Drive with Cracked Glass? The short answer here is no. While you can make trips here and there with a small chip, there’s chance it can spread with wind force while heading out down the Texan 80mph interstate. Which will then cause a crack, a break, a shatter, a trip to the ER and a few hefty bills. 2. What Are the Laws on Windshield Replacement in Texas? Texas laws are stricter than some other states in the US because you can be pulled for having a chip or crack in your windshield glass. Known as the Fix-It Law, any chip or crack in the glass on the driver’s side of your vehicle is grounds for a visit from the boys in blue and a ticket which can be dismissed by fixing the glass before a court date. 3. How do You Know When Glass Needs Replacing? While replacing your windshield immediately – regardless of the situation – is always advised (and depending on the location, the law), we understand it’s not always a feasible option. Here are some examples for when your windshield definitely needs replacement: • When the chip impedes your view • When the glass is tempered • When the chip is more than halfway deep • When the chip extends to the outside edge • When you have three or more small chips 4. What is the Difference Between Laminated and Tempered Windshield Glass? There are two main glass types used on cars. The first is tempered glass which is placed on the rear and door windows. It is heat treated and designed to shatter into non-harmful pebbles. The second is laminated glass used for the front windshield. Instead, it has a polyvinyl butyral layer to help remain in-tact with extreme impact. 5. What Can Cause a Chip in a Vehicles Windshield? Windshield chips are caused by anything from loose stones to that grapefruit-sized hail we had back in 2020. But there are other reasons your windshield might tucker out, too. For example, heavy winds, weight, pressure and drastic temperature changes. So, prevention means keeping speeds down and parking under shade. 6. How Long Does Glass Replacement Take? Replacing your windshield can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of days. And this depends which ways you look at it. Doing the actual replacement does only take 30-60 minutes. But factoring-in the time for getting the new windshield and a slot with the right technician can mean you’re making use of shuttle services. 7. Is Glass Repair and Replacement Covered by Insurance? You’ll have to check your insurance cover for this one but there are two types of insurance here in the US that will save you from dipping into your pocket: comprehensive and full glass repair. It’s also worth mentioning damage to your windshield others driver is covered by their property damage liability insurance. 8. Will Filing a Windshield Repair Cause Insurance to Go Up? Filing a glass claim on your insurance company shouldn’t affect your rates. Even if it did, it wouldn’t be too much trouble under the hood. That said, if you’re filing a lot of glass claims over short periods, they might think something fishy is going on. So, maybe consider those earlier tips about preventing chips in your windshield. To save you needing to shop around, if you’ve got a chip in your windscreen you can call up the Dealership Autoplex Collision Center for a free estimate on (972) 242-0092 or check out the website for more. Then, it’s a case of safely rolling into the shop on smooth roads and at slow paces to get a top quality windshield replacement right here in Carrollton, TX.