Poll: Has your windowshield ever been hit by stones and cracked while traveling?
 

We just returned from a road trip to Co. and the car window was hit twice and cracked...once in Omaha and once in Eastern Co. The whole window has to be replaced.<BR>This is about the 6th time in recent years that it has happenedwhile traveling....we either have to have the windows plugged or replaced.<BR>Just thought it must happen to others also...it only has happened in the last couple of years out of many years of traveling......hmmmmmmm..............

I has happened to us on several occasions.

I often think the replacement glass is not as durable as the original, making it more susceptible to subsequent rocks.

Once, crossing the George Washington Bridge from NY to NJ. By the time I got home, the small crack was all the way across the windshield! so I was really glad the glass guys come to your house and replace them for you.

Happens all the time on California highways. The gravel trucks have no concern for other motorists and often have their loads uncovered. The highway patrol should crack down more on the truck drivers.

Hi Cedar,<BR><BR>Welcome to "Life in Colorado". That's the norm, rather than the exception.<BR><BR>I've lived here for over 17 years now, and have replaced countless windshields that have fallen victim to our rocks and gravel. Windshield replacement coverage is built into many Colorado auto insurance policies now. That at least makes it a bit more tolerable.<BR><BR>Sandy

It is a fact of life here in Colo. They put gravel on the roads instead of salt when it gets icy and snowy.

You hit it right on the money xxx, I install auto glass and there is inferior glass, so beware.

Happened to me in NC RIGHT after I rented the car . . . .

Randy, can you tell us how to make sure we don't get the inferior glass? What should we ask for/look for?

This has happened to me many times, including a rental car which I had to pay for the damages. The only solution I have is to not tailgate and stay as far back from the vehicle in front of you as possible.<BR><BR>Cars may be worse than trucks as they can turn a stone into a high speed missile since they don't have the the tire flaps of trucks. The irony here is that it is most likely the trucks that have dropped the rocks.<BR><BR>The worst of these (to be avoided) are the Landscape trucks towing backhoes, and trash haulers.

In Arizona we also get insurance to cover us for rocks. Luckily, I've never had to collect. Although I once had a bullethole in a window on a rental car in LA.

Yes, it happened to me on the way from San Diego to Phoenix. A trucker was playing some type of stupid game by speeding up and then cutting in front of me. After a stone hit and cracked my windshield from his antics, my passenger took a picture of his license plate and the company truck. I contacted the company and they wouldn't respond.

Doofus, you should have contacted the police. They would have responded!

We have the same problem in Louisiana. That's why we don't mind "love bug" season. It disguises the nicks in our windshields!

I used to work for an insurance agency many years ago. People would call about a truck company and say they had the truck's license plate number and the truck comany told them to call their ins. agent in regards to their broken window. The insurance company always paid! Next time, call the trucking company and ask who their ins. company is. If they don't want to tell you, then maybe tell them you'll have the police contact them. They may be willing to tell you the Ins. Co. name then!

Ok Cass you asked I will answer! Auto glass comes in two different composites. Front window glass is laminated meaning 2 different layers with plastic in middle of glass and when a rock hits usually will create fissure on outside layer that is easily repaired if not too bad. Windows that need to be replaced should be OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and should be installed correctly and preferebly by a qualified and reputable dealer. Side glasses are tempered, when they reach breaking point that crumble in to small gravel size pieces. So you see thats why you only see cracks in the front window!

My husband has replaced cracked windshields three times, each time getting a new crack immediately after replacing the glass. We're getting superstitious.

Randy,<BR> <BR>Isn't the installation process as key as the glass in getting quality replacement work?<BR><BR>I remember an article about this...seems it's VERY important only well-trained installers do this work. In many cases the work is done improperly and can result in serious situations-such as the glass collapsing in an accident. So don't be too quick to grab the first guy you see in your local phonebook. DO YOUR RESEARCH!

Regarding the insurance aspect:<BR>If something falls OFF vehicle A & strikes vehicle B, the insurance for vehicle A reimburses B for damages. (If this happens, get license plate and call the police and make a report. Many times, vehicle A is totally unaware that anything has happened. A reputable company will pay for damages.)<BR>If vehicle A kicks up a stone or rock on the road & it strikes vehicle B, vehicle A owes nothing - vehicle B's insurance pays for its own damages. This is covered under your comprehensive coverage & is subject to that deductible. Windshields that can be REPAIRED will be fixed free of charge. Windshields that need to be replaced are subject to the deductible. This is for the state of Illinois - many states have different coverages.