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It’s a beautiful day. There’s not a cloud in the sky, and the traffic’s moving at a steady pace. You’re driving along without a worry in the world, when suddenly you hear a horrible sound, WHACK! Before you know what hit you, there’s a rosebud the size of a quarter on your windshield. Now, whether it was a pellet from the hypervelocity gun of a Stormtrooper, or just some kid practicing their aim, the awful truth is – you will now need a windshield repair and replacement in San Antonio, Texas. This means having to be without your car for at least a day (or two), it also means you’ll need to fork the bill of the repair or replacement. Here are some things you need to know before you decide on getting a windshield repair or replacement in San Antonio, Texas.

Windshield Repair or Replacement?

The windshield is by far, one of the most important safety features of a car. Because in the event of an accident, it is the windshield that will work together with the airbags to protect you from serious injury. A car’s windshield does that by providing support for the airbags once they are deployed in an emergency situation. Without a windshield, the vehicle’s airbags would not have any support and would fly out of the car. Even a small crack or chip in the windshield of a car can undermine the support a windshield is supposed to provide, in case of an accident. Besides that, a car’s windshield also protects the driver and the other occupants from the flying debris, dust and wind while driving. If you are worried about how much a windshield repair or replacement in San Antonio, Texas will cost you, that will depend on the size of the damage done to the windshield. When it comes to repairing or replacing a damaged windshield, a vehicle owner normally has two options, either they can pay the full amount of the auto glass repair or replacement, or they can get the damages covered through their vehicle’s insurance. Here are a few things you will need to know when getting a windshield repair or replacement in San Antonio, Texas.

Paying Via Insurance

One thing that many car owners don’t realize is that the cost of a windshield repair can oftentimes be fully covered by their insurance. Many auto glass repair services also work closely with insurance providers so that they are able to take care of the insurance claim for their customers. So, how does one know if their insurance covers the full cost of their windshield repair or replacement? The following are some of the ways in which that can be made possible: Option #1: Windshield Needs Repair Windshield repair is one cost that usually falls under an insurance policy. Meaning, the cost of the auto glass repair will be paid for by your insurance provider, without having a negative impact on your current insurance rates. Option #2: Windshield Needs to be Replaced While the costs of a windshield replacement will normally be covered by the vehicle owner’s insurance policy, the owner of the vehicle will have to pay for some of the costs, such as, any deductibles. If your car needs a windshield repair or replacement, the total out of pocket cost will vary depending on the degree of the damage, the location of the car and the type of the vehicle. Usually, the vehicle owner is responsible for any outstanding cost that the insurance provider does not cover or if the cost is below the deductible from your insurance coverage. Even if the cost of the replacement is above the deductible, the vehicle owner will be responsible for any deductibles that may apply. To get a better understanding of the insurance coverage, you can either visit the auto glass replacement service’s website, or contact your insurance provider.

Type of Vehicle

When a vehicle owner finds that their vehicle was broken into or vandalized, and as a result, needs a new windshield, one of the first things that every auto glass replacement service will ask for is the make and model of the car.This small detail can result in a few dollars being shaved from top, or added to the cost of the windshield replacement. For instance, a luxury vehicle, such as a BMW or a Mercedes require windshield replacements that are specific to the model of those cars. This can only be obtained via a dealer, and can cost you double of what the windshield of a non-luxury vehicle will cost.

Special Features

When looking at a windshield replacement, it may also include some additional expenses, that again will depend on the type of vehicle. Sometimes cars have special moldings that are part of the windshield, meaning the windshield will also have to match the structural design of the car exactly to be a perfect fit. Apart from that, some cars come with special features such as condensation or rain sensors, which will be harder to replace. Newer model cars can have as many as five different sensors that will need to be replaced along with the windshield. While the windshield replacement of older cars will be relatively cheaper. It is important for a car owner to be clear on the deals of their vehicle before getting a windshield replacement.

Am I Covered?

There are many insurance providers who include windshield repair as part of their coverage with no deductible. This can mean that your windshield repair is covered up to 100%, if you have a comprehensive coverage. But, there are also some insurance providers that will not include vehicle windshield repair or replacement as part of their insurance policy. It’s important to point out that comprehensive coverage is optional, so it pays to make sure you have it. You can also check to see if the damage is smaller than six inches; this is called the ‘dollar bill rule’ and means if the crack or chip to the windshield can be completely covered by a dollar bill, it is considered to be less than six inches. The next step will be to contact your insurance provider and file a claim.

Paying Cash

Whether it’s a rock chip repair or a full-on replacement of your windshield, you can either choose to file for insurance or not to file a claim with your insurance provider, if you do not have comprehensive coverage or no coverage at all. Again, the price of the cost you have to pay will vary depending on the size of the damage and the make and model of the vehicle. You can either get a quote online by visiting the auto glass repair service or contacting them via phone. Most auto glass repair services accept personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and cash.

Windshield Repair and Replacement San Antonio, Texas

Once you’ve got all the details you need, it’s time to get your windshield fixed. There will be many options when it comes to choosing a windshield repair or replacement in San Antonio, Texas. But, you will obviously want to choose the right company that will provide you with the repair or replacement you need at an affordable price, without skimping on the quality. Auto glass repair and replacement services such as Auto Glass in San Antonio has become the go-to place for those who wish to get their windshield repaired either by setting an appointment and driving to the auto repair shop, or opting for their mobile service. At the end of the day, it’s safe to say that the cost of not getting your windshield repaired or replaced far outweighs the actual cost of the windshield repair or replacement.