What causes a cracked windshield? And if there is a slight crack, can’t you replace the new glass? Can I continue driving or make an insurance claim?
Well, the windshield just cracked! This kind of thing happens often for a number of reasons. And many of them must have been through this experience time and again. when I can’t ignore and pretend I don’t know because the windshield is an important part forcar Because it would be difficult to drive without a windshield to travel anywhere on the road in everyday life. This led to the question of what caused the cracked windshield. Can it crack and continue to drive, including claiming?car insuranceor not, which we have already answered
What causes a cracked windshield?
1. dirt road
because of gravel, rubble, gravel and gravel roads They can bounce off and hit your windshield while following the car in front of you and crack. Therefore, when driving on gravel roads, gravel roads, and following other vehicles, keep distances for safety. Or avoid driving on roads like this if possible.
2. Drive behind a truck.
Driving behind trucks, especially trucks with rubble, dirt, and sand, can get trapped in dirt, rocks, debris, and other materials that can fall, bounce, and hit our thin, transparent windshield. It’s best to keep your distance when following these trucks. or change lanes Or it’s better to overtake it.
3. The windshield is not of good quality.
If your windshield is low quality glass. Not standard, for example, may have been changed before and not factory specs Just encountering little pressure, shock or twisting of the car. May cause the glass to break at all. Therefore, when replacing automotive glass, you must check to ensure that the glass is of high quality and production standards.
4. Non-standard windshield installation
If the windshield is not properly installed or does not fit the structure of the car (not the model), the windshield may come loose and this is a serious hazard. Because while driving at high speed will cause vibration or distort of the structure. which results in the car glass cracking or breaking by itself
5. From an accident
Accidents here refer to windshields being hit by material from a parking area, such as parking in a children’s soccer area. Or risk having debris from other activities blown against the windshield without our knowledge. In this case, parking in a safe place will reduce the risk a lot.
6. Rapid temperature change
The temperature changes rapidly from hot to cold. It may cause the windshield to crack or break. Like a glass that is hot and then put into cold water. Although the opportunity does not occur often, but should be careful, for example, if the car is parked in the sun until it becomes very hot. Wait for the temperature to drop before washing the car with cold water.
7. Sunlight
The heat from intense sunlight can cause the outer edge of the windshield to expand faster than the center of the glass. and have the opportunity to rupture on their own If possible, it is better to park in direct sunlight or not in direct sunlight, which is good for other parts, such as paint or materials inside the car.
8. Hail falls
It is a natural event that may not happen often. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. especially when driving at high speed Hail is no different from gravel and rubble that can crack the windshield. If a phenomenon like this is found Should reduce speed and drive carefully, it will be safer.
9. Parking under a tree
Even it is safe from sunlight and heat. But parking under a tree is at risk of falling branches, lace, and shattering the windshield.
Broken windshield, can I continue driving?
Broken windshield, should I continue driving? It must depend on how much damage has occurred. If it is severely damaged, you should not force yourself to continue driving because there is a chance of breakage and glass shards getting into your eyes. Although the windshield is usually laminated glass, there is a film in the middle that holds the broken glass.
In the event that the windshield has a slight crack, it can still drive. But there is a chance that cracks will expand more while driving. The car should be repaired or replaced with a new windshield as soon as possible.
Broken windshield, can I claim insurance?
If the car is covered by first class insurance and there are objects splashed or dropped until the windshield cracks or breaks, which affects the safety of driving Insurance claims can be made without paying an Excess fee, but only the claim history will be recorded.
Therefore, when the windshield is cracked for any reason, it is parked idle or an object is dropped or thrown at it. Should hurry to bring the car to repair. (Which in some cases can be done) or replace the new glass ASAP. For safety while driving is the best.
Thanks for the information from: glassusa.com, clearestglass.com and windshieldexperts.com