Not every crack means a full replacement. In many cases, a chip or short crack can be injected with resin and made structurally sound in 30 minutes — at zero cost through insurance. But some damage locations and sizes make repair impossible. Here is exactly how to decide.
California law and most insurance policies define repairability by size. Chips (bullseyes, star breaks, combination breaks) up to 1 inch in diameter can almost always be repaired. Cracks up to 6 inches in length can often be repaired if they meet location criteria. Cracks longer than 6 inches generally require full replacement. Note: Even a 3-inch crack that runs into the driver's critical vision zone (directly in front of the driver, A-pillar to center) may require replacement regardless of length.
The most important factor is not size — it is location. Damage in the driver's primary vision area (roughly a 12-inch band centered on the steering wheel, at eye level) is held to the strictest standard. Even a small chip in this zone may not repair cleanly enough to be legal. Damage on edges or corners within 2 inches of the frame almost always requires replacement — edge cracks spread rapidly and weaken the windshield's structural bond. Damage outside the driver's vision zone and away from edges can often be repaired.
Bullseye chip (circular impact, single cone): Repairable if under 1 inch diameter. Star break (multiple cracks radiating from impact point): Repairable if legs are under 3 inches. Combination break (bullseye + star): Repairable if under 2 inches total. Half-moon chip: Same as bullseye. Linear crack: Repairable up to 6 inches if not in vision zone and not edge. Floater crack (appears spontaneously, often from temperature): Usually requires replacement — cause is internal stress, resin does not hold well.
For vehicles with a forward-facing camera mounted to the windshield — any 2015+ vehicle with lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, or Tesla Autopilot — even a repaired crack in or near the camera's field of view can affect calibration accuracy. If the chip is within 6 inches of the camera mount area (typically top center of windshield behind the rearview mirror), replacement is recommended over repair.
A properly repaired chip or crack will stop the damage from spreading, restore structural integrity, and be barely visible or invisible depending on type and size. A bullseye repairs nearly invisibly. A star break may leave a faint pattern. A linear crack, even repaired, may remain slightly visible in some light conditions. Repair does not restore optical clarity to 100% — but it does meet California legal requirements and stops spread.
Chip or crack repair: $50–$80 cash, $0 with comprehensive insurance (no deductible applies to repairs in California). Full windshield replacement: $179–$600 cash depending on vehicle, $0 with comprehensive insurance subject to deductible. If you have comprehensive insurance with a deductible, always try repair first — it is free and stops the crack from spreading to the point where replacement is needed.
Call or text a photo of your damage to 1-800-684-3629. We assess repair vs replace from the photo in most cases. If it can be repaired, we come to your location and do it same day, often in 30 minutes. If it requires replacement, we order glass and book a replacement appointment — same-day or next-day. We never recommend replacement when repair is sufficient.
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