If you’ve ever owned a car or truck, there is a good chance you have sustained a small crack in the windshield. Windshield cracks can occur when any airborne object of some substance collides with the windshield. This can happen while the vehicle is in use or when the car or truck is parked. Fortunately, you do have a couple of options when it comes to windshield repair.

Your first option with windshield crack repair is to seal the crack yourself. This is a viable option if the crack is very small, perhaps no more than an inch or two in length. You can get everything you need from a local automotive repair store. There are even small kits that are designed for this type of simple windshield repair jobs. Tell the sales associate “I have a crack in my windshield,” and he or she can direct you to the kits that are in stock. Look over each kit carefully, as some require mixing compounds and also give very specific instructions in how to apply the sealing compound.

A second option is to take the vehicle to a car repair facility that advertises professional windshield crack repair services. This is often your best bet if the crack is more than a couple of inches. There is often the chance that a hairline crack is already beginning to branch off from the crack you can see with the naked eye, and could lead to serious issues later. An auto repair service or glass shop that does windshield crack repair will have equipment to analyze the condition of the crack and know exactly how to take care of the problem permanently.

While you may feel confident in your ability to repair a crack in your windshield, keep in mind that it never hurts to check with a professional. If the windshield crack repair can be handled with a simply over the counter sealing compound, a reputable dealer will advise you of that option. At the same time, if the crack is over a certain length, there is a good chance that the professional will also advise you that windshield crack repair may be futile and that you need to consider replacing the windshield altogether.

When windshield crack repair is not an option, check with your auto insurance provider. There is a good chance that all or part of the replacement costs are covered.