Auto glass repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What auto glass repair is

A technician fills chips and small cracks in windshield or side glass with clear resin, which restores strength and keeps the damage from spreading. You need it soon after a rock hits the glass, because a small chip is usually a simpler fix than a full replacement.

Signs you need it

  • A chip or crack, often from a rock on the highway
  • A small chip or a crack that is only an inch or two long
  • A crack that has started to grow after a temperature change
  • A bullseye or star shape in the glass that catches your eye when driving
  • Damage in the driver's line of sight that makes the road harder to see

What the pro does

  • Inspects the chip or crack and measures its size and depth
  • Cleans the damaged area and removes moisture and debris
  • Injects clear resin into the chip under vacuum or pressure
  • Cures the resin with UV light and removes any excess
  • Checks the finished repair and explains what to avoid while it sets

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size of the chip or crack and whether it has spread
  • Where the damage sits, such as in the driver's view or near the edge
  • Whether the glass has a camera or sensor bracket that changes the approach
  • Whether the damage is on the windshield or on side or rear glass
  • How many chips are repaired at one visit
  • Whether the repair is done at your home or at a shop

What a written quote should spell out

  • The size and location of each chip or crack
  • The resin type and whether it is UV cured
  • Whether the repair is done on site or in the shop
  • Any cosmetic result that may remain after the repair
  • What happens if the crack grows or the repair fails

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can this chip be repaired, or is the crack too long?
  • Is the damage in the driver's view, and does it affect the repair?
  • Will the repair leave a visible mark?
  • What happens if the crack continues after the repair?
  • Is the repair warranted, and what does the warranty cover?
  • Does my insurance cover this repair, and do you handle the claim?

Red flags

  • Says a chip can be repaired without looking at it in good light
  • Repairs a crack that runs to the edge of the glass
  • Will not explain what happens if the crack spreads
  • Fills a chip without telling you that some blur or a visible mark may remain

What you can do yourself

Repair kits are sold for small chips and can help if you act quickly, but the result can be cloudy and may not hold on a crack. Keep the car out of extreme heat or cold after any repair. Call a shop for any crack longer than a few inches, any crack in the driver's view, or any damage that reaches the edge of the glass.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for auto glass repair. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business registration that applies, and ask the shop about any insurance it carries for glass work.

Auto glass repair questions

Is a chip always repairable?

Not always. Chips in the driver's view, cracks that reach the edge, or damage that has spread usually need replacement. A shop can check the size and location.

Does an insurance claim for a chip raise my rates?

It depends on your policy and insurer. Ask your insurer how a glass claim is handled before you file.

How soon should I get a chip fixed?

Soon. Temperature changes and road bumps can make a chip spread into a crack, and a fast repair is usually the simplest one.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More car services guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request auto glass repair