The automobile windshield chip repair problem with ignoring the damage is that it will grow worse with time. Replacements have their downsides as well. Besides spending up to $350, you lose the original manufacture seal. Many replacements are done incorrectly and can leak and crack. What is the alternative?
The windshield was designed to protect you. The dings and cracks may have come from something that could fly toward you and hit you. It protects you from outside intruders and it helps in the event of a car accident. It is actually designed as the number one safety restraint system in your vehicle. It actually provides up to 60 percent roof-crush-protection in the event that there is an accident where your car flips over. Also, it takes care of backstop support for the passenger side airbag in a front-end accident. This means that the airbag stays in place as a passenger hits it using the windshield to hold it there. So you are protected from being crushed or thrown from the vehicle with the windshield.
If you do decide that windshield repair is your best bet, you have a few choices. First of all, make sure you check to see if your insurance covers it. In a lot of instances it does. The problem is that many policies have a deductible that is higher than the cost of the replacement or repair job. If that is the case, you will have to pay for it yourself.
If you have insurance that will cover windshield repair with a low deductible, this may be a good option. Many companies that specialize in windshield repair will pay the deductible for you provided it's under $100. If you call ahead to make an appointment most of these companies can replace the windshield in less than an hour. If you don't make an appointment, you may have to wait a few hours if there are many customers in front of you.
The engine on the wiper heats up or has a strange humming sound: This could possibly be brought about by damage or even a bent linkage. If so, repair or change the linkage. Another reason could be is the fact that the arms ended up being improperly installed at the linkage pivots. Just position the linkage in park and then reinstall the wiper arms. Basic!
Windshield chips and cracks can usually be patched for under $90. You're going to pay hundreds to replace the whole thing. In this case, your best bet is to keep hunting for auto insurance quotes and pay the repairs out of pocket.