My wife's Prius windshield got hit with a small pebble and it left a small crack, less than the size of a dime. I am considering having it repaired at SafeLite for $59.99 to prevent the crack from spreading. They tell me that they cannot guarantee the repair because if the windshield gets hit again in the same area, this might cause the old crack to spread. I know I should be posting this on Prius Chat but since I have a Civic Hybrid and frequent this forum I hoping somebody might have experienced something like this, and give me some advise.

The same company quoted me 364.13 for a replacement. Considering my insurance deductable is $500.00 this will all be out of pocket ouch! If I go the replacement route, I will probaby ask a dealer to replace and pay my 500.00 deductable since I know it will be more than this. SafeLite tells me that most Insurance Co. waives the deductable for repair, my insurance co is with State Farm.

Just happened today and my wife said all they heard was something hitting the windshield. The closest car they were following was 4 car lenghts ahead of them.
Pity I just had both cars tinted too!

I hope the Civic's windshield is sturdier, I have experienced some hits on my windshield so far it has not cracked it.

Winshield repair is usually free of charge with no deductable and covered 100% by just about all insurance companies.

Places here in Florida want your business and always have some sort of deal where they are giving lobster or steaks or something to lure you in and away from other windshield repair companies.

Check em out in your area.

Check it out.

I cannot say much about sturdiness - although I have had Honda OEM windshields that withstood impacts far better than the insurance sanctioned "OEM replacements". I was told by autoglass specialists that Honda's windshields have "2 to 3 more stranded layers" which makes them stronger than the average direct replacement.

Additionally, I believe the angle of impact is a major determinant in how likely the windshield will fracture. Since the HCH-2's windshield is so sloped, it may very well be that any rock or similar debris will likely be deflected or "roll" over the body. On the other hand, the windshield is also larger and depending on the outside temperature its coeficient of elasticity may be very low and hence still crack.


Cheers;

MSantos

I've had my HCH II a little over a month and suddenly I noticed strange radial microcracks on the windshield. There is what looks like a stone mark right in the middle, but the cracks can only be seen when looking into the sun. Then they are very noticeable.

I'm sure my insurance company will take care of it, but I don't even remember a rock hitting it.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, or was I just unlucky enough to have a rock hit the "sweet spot".

Definitely call your insurance company. As Tony said, usually glass is a 0 deductible repair. (for good reason...they'd rather pay the money for the glass than have you get in a major accident because your windshield is screwed up.) I know mine works that way, and you might be surprised that yours is the same.

Insurance companies will cover a repair at 100%, but not a replacement. I had a Subaru Forester and had to replace the windshield 3 times in one year I have a $500 deductible on the replacement also. They say they can repair anything smaller than a silver dollar, so it's worth a shot. If you go with the replacement, try AAA autoglass, if you're able. They were good with me, but then the Forester windshield cost was initially $800 since it had all the heating elements in it also. They knocked it down under $500 so I didn't have to file a claim after the first time.

Good luck.

I had a windshield repaired on my jeep...cost was $30 and he came to my house to do it...took him 30 minutes and it was good as new...its since been hit by 3 more rocks and the original crack has not spread...although one of the rocks did have a run that ran all the way across the windshield...still broke to this day...but the one that was fixed is still holding...pay the $ to have the crack fixed...worry about the windshield the next time it happens...

I had my HCH 2 for about a month and was cruising far behind a flat bed semi a bolt/rock got thrown up and now I'm left with a quater size crack/chip. Talk about sucking. Got it repaired for like 40 bucks but I do plan on just replacing with Honda OEM in the future if it ever spreads.